Plan the home move in the order that makes sense
An island address adds a vehicle crossing between loading and unloading. Start with the keys and the actual furniture list; then agree who is arranging the truck crossing. This checklist is for people moving house to or from the Redland City islands, including a move from Brisbane, Logan or surrounding mainland suburbs.
First, identify the right crossing
A furniture truck bound for Karragarra, Lamb, Macleay or Russell Island generally uses the vehicle ferry service from Weinam Street, Redland Bay. Coochiemudlo uses a vehicle barge from Masters Avenue, Victoria Point. For North Stradbroke Island / Minjerribah, the vehicle ferry runs from Toondah Harbour in Cleveland to Dunwich.
Passenger ferries are useful for residents, but a house removal also needs a vehicle crossing suited to the truck. Ferry allocations and conditions can change. Check SeaLink Bay Islands, SeaLink North Stradbroke or Amity Trader for Coochiemudlo for the current crossing, booking rules and vehicle requirements.
Still deciding where to live? The island destination guide compares all six destinations. This page starts once you have a likely property and need to organise the move itself.
Your island moving checklist, from first enquiry to the last box
1. Pin down the addresses and key times
Share the pickup and delivery addresses, preferred date, settlement or lease handover, and any time the new home becomes accessible. A house in Redland Bay heading to Macleay differs from a Brisbane pickup heading to Point Lookout. A longer pickup route using a highway or the Gateway Motorway can also change the mainland travel leg. The driveway, loading time, ferry and island delivery belong in one plan.
2. List the load and inspect both approaches
Make a room-by-room list of furniture, appliances, cartons and outdoor items. Note stairs, lifts, gates, driveway width and distance from the front door to safe truck parking at both homes. Include photos of tight turns and large pieces. That helps a moving company assess crew, loading time and a suitable furniture truck.
3. Agree who books the vehicle crossing
Before either party commits to a ferry, confirm who will book the truck, which vehicle dimensions the operator needs, the crossing that fits key handover, and how return travel, waiting and fares are treated in the quote. SeaLink revised its Redland Bay vehicle timetable in 2026, so check the current sailing for the specific island rather than relying on an older schedule.
4. Decide what help belongs in the quote
House removals can involve more than driving: pre-packing services, wrapping fragile items, furniture protection, loading, unloading, unpacking, and dismantling and assembling beds or tables if agreed. Tell Bay City Removals what you want handled and what you will do. Clarify any special item or access concern before moving day.
5. Pack for a clear first evening
Label cartons by room and keep medication, keys, chargers, documents and a change of clothes with you. Set aside the bed components and tools needed on arrival; ask which furniture can be disassembled before loading. See our box labelling guide, fragile-item packing advice and items to keep off the moving truck.
6. Confirm the final leg and handover
Before departure, check the current ferry service, weather and any operator instructions. Identify where the furniture truck can stop on the island street and who will have the keys when it arrives. At delivery, direct unloading into the right rooms, check larger pieces, and settle any agreed unpacking or reassembly tasks before the crew leaves.
A quote that covers the whole trip
Send both addresses, the island or village, inventory, loading access, key date and the services you need through our moving quote form. Ask which ferry booking and crossing costs the proposed scope covers. The Redland City moving costs guide explains how furniture volume, access and extra tasks affect a quote without inventing a standard price.
Bay City Removals is based in Birkdale and handles moving home, furniture transport and packing across Redland City and other South East Queensland areas. Start at the Redland City removalists hub for every local area, or visit the Minjerribah village guide and its Dunwich and Amity Point pages for a North Stradbroke delivery.
Plan an island moving quoteIsland move planning: practical answers
Should I book a ferry before speaking to removalists?
First confirm the inventory, likely truck and crew availability, access and date with the moving company. Then agree in writing who books the vehicle ferry and what time suits the complete trip. A passenger ferry booking does not reserve space for a loaded furniture truck.
Do all Redland City island moves start from Redland Bay?
No. The four Southern Moreton Bay Islands use the Redland Bay vehicle ferry network. Coochiemudlo uses Victoria Point, and North Stradbroke uses Cleveland to Dunwich. Check the operator's current timetable and conditions before booking.
What if I need packing or unpacking help?
List the rooms and fragile items you want packed, whether furniture needs dismantling, and what you want unpacked or assembled at the new home. Add those tasks to the quote request so the service and timing can be discussed before moving day.