JR beetle ferry from Fukuoka to Busan

I'm travelling to Japan in November and also spending a few days in Korea. I'm planning to take the JR beetle ferry from Hakata port in Fukuoka to Busan on Monday the 28th of November. I'm just wondering if anyone knows the time the ferry leaves. I'll be staying in Nagasaki Sunday night so it will take me at least 2 hours according to Hyperdia to get from Nagasaki to Hakata on the Ltd. Exp. Kamome 4 in the morning. Will I have enough time to get to the Hakata port? (I'm assuming there'll be customs/immigration).

Some other questions hopefully that can be answered: :)
Can I buy my ticket for the ferry on the day when I turn up at Hakata port? I'm mainly using cash for my trip and don't want to go through the hassles of an internet or phone booking using a credit card.
Can I take my own food and drinks on board?
I'm from Australia, will I need to get a visa for Korea?

I'm just wondering if anyone knows the time the ferry leaves.

Here is the timetable for November 2011 (see orange and blue dots):
http://www.jrbeetle.co.jp/navi/2011_11.html
福岡 Fukuoka
釜山 Busan

You should check in at least 45 minutes before departure. Here is a lot of information in English:
http://www.jrbeetle.co.jp/english/

Can I buy my ticket for the ferry on the day when I turn up at Hakata port?

I think it is possible, unless the boat is booked out. I recommend to make reservations, which are possible via the internet in English (see above link).

I'm mainly using cash for my trip and don't want to go through the hassles of an internet or phone booking using a credit card.

Hassle? I don't think it is going to be a hassle. I think the potential hassle of not being able to board the boat would cause much more hassle. It is not completely unusual that boats get booked out.

Can I take my own food and drinks on board?

I see no reasons why not. In addition there is a kiosk on board.

I'm from Australia, will I need to get a visa for Korea?

No:
http://www.hikorea.go.kr/pt/InfoDetailR_en.pt?categoryId=2&parentId=38...

I bought the Beetle ticket just before boarding. It was like getting on trains in Japan.
If you are traveling in Korea, you may consider buying the combination Beetle & Korea Rail pass(it is heavily discounted & just like JR Pass(except you get the actual tickets, no flashing) that you can get on any rails including the 1st class seat on KTX(Korean bullet). It is available at the Beetle ticket counter.
Many people bring their own snacks but also there is a restaurant at the Busan port as you exit along with tourist info. booth where they book tour, hotel, etc. for you.

hey, i'm so interested in "combination JR beetle & KR Pass" since i will also visit Korea and Japan this September. However i couln't find any info of that on internet. Could you give the proper link? thank u.

This is the company that offers the pass. I am afraid their website is available in Korean only:
http://www.kmx.co.kr/

You can also just call ahead and reserve a ferry seat. I am going on the ferry from Hakata to Busan next week. I just called in because seats were filling up and they allowed me to reserve a seat without paying.

Are you going from Korea to Japan? If so,
http://www.xanadu.co.kr/eng/spaceBBS/bbs.asp?act=read&bbs=eng_qna&no=6...
If going from Japan to Korea,　ask for 日韓共同きっぷ(nikkan kyodo kippu) at a travel agency. My understanding is you might have more knowledgeable agents closer you get to Fukuoka. Some had troubles finding knowledgeable agent or willing agent to dig up this discount ticket manual, study and cut tickets in Tokyo area taking hours to do so.
The easiest is to buy the Beetle-Korea rail pass combination ticket at the Beetle counter in Hakata port. http://www.jrbeetle.co.jp/fare/kbp/index.html

I am planning to use the ferry to Busan the 18th of November this year.

Amazinga, is it cheaper to buy the Beetle-Korea pass at the counter in Hakata?

I found this website http://english.visitkorea.or.kr/enu/TR/TR_EN_5_7.jsp where someone can order the rail pass in Korea and i was planning to reserve a seat via internet for the Beetle and order the rail pass online.

Is it cheaper/easier to do this at the counter while still in Japan?