I had time to get a quick cappuccino from the Lavender Cafe and then it was off to our own vehicle for a full day sightseeing in Tasmania. There is something to suit all styles of travel on board. Come aboard and experience the joys of sailing for yourself. Please make sure your first and last name have been entered correctly. {{booking.getArrivalDate(legOfJourney, 'dddd D MMMM, YYYY')}} at During peak season, we also operate day sailings departing from each port at 9.00am and arriving the same day at 6.00pm. I highly recommend the little fruit + veg shop on the corner of William and Best St (about 1km up the road) to stock up on local and organic produce. For Mr GG its his surfboard, most holidays the surfboard and wetsuit stays at home. Read our latest blogs on experiences in Tasmania and the mainland. I usually leave my big Manfrotto tripod at home because it is heavy and cumbersome then I spend the rest of the holiday cursing that I cant get the picture I want. Follow the signs to Spirit of Tasmania and turn left into Murray Street. We hope you book with us again soon. If you have lost or misplaced your e-ticket, please ensure you have a current drivers licence on you for photo identification. This is what we carry. Dad is driving us to the ferry terminal and then I take over for the rest of the holiday. Last time we stopped on Williamstown Road which had plenty of space and is really wide, parking is allowed. Oops, you need to have at least one passenger. Once you have parked your vehicle in the marshalling yard, and if time permits prior to boarding, you are welcome to enter the terminal building and use the facilities available to you. Well send you regular emails keeping you in the loop of all our special offers, competitions and all things Tasmanian. In case you were wondering you can travel with pets but they will need to be checked into the onboard kennels, or they can stay in your caravan but you will have to sign a disclaimer you can read more. Hubby and I toasted the start of our relaxing child free holiday as the Spirit of Tasmania pulled away from its Port Melbourne moorings. We had booked three nights at Mersey Bluff Caravan Park (a 10minute drive from the boat) and checked in at 11am for $40/night for a powered site. {{IbpCms.vehiclesBookMotorhomeAsCarError}}. Nice! Without knowing where and from what direction you are coming from it's a trifle hard to give much help. 2008) is a family and lifestyle blog; a story of motherhood and the home, simple living and good intentions. . We stayed there a while as we arrived early (had travelled from SA so didnt want to risk being late). View our Privacy Statement regarding the personal information we have collected. Photo: Jason Charles Hill. It appears your address is invalid. We had a night sail from Melbourne Port, leaving at 7.30pm, with boarding from 4.30pm. Departing Devonport is just a matter of waiting your turn to go through the vehicle inspection. Then choose where youll be entertained, in the cinema, the bar, cafe, or the casino. Follow the signs to the "Passenger Vehicles" entrance and enter via the check in booths. I took the opportunity to enjoy a hot shower and then applied some makeup. Thanks everyone, we shall aim for 6:30 arrival then. Our E-Ticket was presented along with drivers licence for ID. Passengers have the full day to experience all the ships facilities and extra activities are in place to entertain the children. Home The Spirit of Tasmania A Real Travellers Review. 3/25 Sat. Your cancellation has been successful. On the decks, plenty of fresh air . This procedure was just as well rehearsed as boarding and was again, done quickly. Free parking is available at the Devonport terminal. The rebates currently include: However, tickets on the Spirit of Tasmania ferry can often exceed this cost by quite a bit. Once onboard though it was fun. There are currently no scheduled sailings in the next 3 days. Were sorry that you are no longer travelling with us and would like to understand why. The carry-on baggage allowance is one medium bag or suitcase with the maximum dimensions of 66cm x 46.5cm x 27.5cm. No weight restrictions apply. Spirit of Tasmania's Devonport terminal is located on the Esplanade in East Devonport. Also the pizzas in the bar are very nice . Also remember what on number deck your vehicle is parked as these decks are called separately when disembarking. I think hubby may have felt a twinge of guilt when he saw the childrens play facilities. Our family drove to Melbourne from Brisbane and put our caravan onto the Spirit of Tasmania. Mr GG and I had established there were four dining choices aboard the Spirit of Tasmania. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. We are travelling daytime. We had booked three nights at Mersey Bluff Caravan Park (a 10minute drive from the boat) and checked in at 11am for $40/night for a powered site. Where are you coming from? Then turn right and look for the Spirit of Tasmania Passenger Vehicles entrance. 24 hour caravan storage at Melbourne Discovery Holiday Park. Your travel insurance purchase was not successfully processed. Here is a brief video to show you exactly what it's like!You can read all about our trip around Tasmania on our blog at http://letsgomum.com.au**Please consider liking or commenting on this video - we really appreciate it, and it helps us to keep the videos coming! We stayed in an inside cabin. Spirit fare conditions apply,click herefor details. Day sailing is available in peak season and the ship departs Melbourne at 9.00am and arrives in Tasmania at 6.00pm. I know boarding closes at 6.45. Just after some advice on areas to park up to wait for load time on the Spirit of Tasmania.. Have looked at their website and seems to only be paid parking nearby.. We will be coming in from the Shepparton area on the day of our travel on the Ferry (night sail). It was expensive but it was a great experience and we all enjoyed our return journey . Notify me of follow-up comments by email. Take your car and pack it to the full, even better, pack it to the full coming back because the produce in Tasmania (I believe) is the best in Australia, hands down! The cages are stacked about 3 high with a permanent floor so if a dog wees it does not leak down to the kennels below it. The first commences at 8.00pm and is suitable for families; the second has a 10.00pm start and is aimed at an older audience. {{ Utils.formatCurrency(getAgentActualPaymentAmount()) }}. Your travel insurance purchase was not successfully processed. {{getDealDetails(getAppliedDeal()).shortDescription}}, {{getDealDetails(code).shortDescription}}, {{payment.insurance.quote.label}} - Travel insurance premium = {{ payment.insurance.quote.price | money}}. Subscribe to our travel tribe Email updates here, The Magic of staying in an Airbnb - including a coupon code for your next stay - The Blonde Nomads, Tasmanias Delights Road tripping to the RIGHT - The Blonde Nomads, Tasmanias Delights Road tripping to the LEFT - The Blonde Nomads, Top 9 things to do with the family in Lake Macquarie NSW, Travelling with your dog tips from a travelling vet, Caravanning & Camping with a Dog Top tips from families on the road. A single reclining chair is free to book, while cabins range from about $100 for shared cabins to $500 for the deluxe range. The queue to board was quite short and moved fast. The bathroom was small, but comparable to a caravan en-suite size and all that you need for the overnight trip. You're ready to get started building your fare. The ferry departs. Remember to include the length of both the vehicle and towed unit together. Please note this response is optional and fully confidential. 30h 19m HBA - PIT. Advertise and Partner with Spirit of Tasmania. We arn't going far, just toodling down the road to Deloraine for the night, but again, planning :). It was simply a matter of following the car in front until we were directed to join a specific queue. It was to be a lovely evening but I will share more about our meal in the restaurant review. After dinner we enjoyed some live music before retiring to our comfy beds. Sometimes there is a pile up of boarding vehicles, and it can take you half an hour of stop start driving to do the last little bit. The Captains Table buffet seemed to be a popular choice with families. You may not use images or content from this site without written permission. {{option.displayText}}s not available with this deal. Our twin ships depart both ports nightly as well as daily in peak season. Boarding the Spirit of Tasmania - YouTube 0:00 / 5:43 Boarding the Spirit of Tasmania 2,493 views May 5, 2017 13 Dislike Share Save World Traveling Toddlers 51 subscribers Driving our. Tasmanian roads are described as perfect for motorcycle enthusiasts. Naturally, each cabin featured a private bathroom with all the usual facilities. Two-for-one pizzas. A great bonus for families is children under five eat free! Please note this response is optional and fully confidential. As others have said, the time it takes to clear the port after docking at Devonport is random. Familiarise yourself with our sailings schedule, Introducing Spirit of Tasmania Quay, Geelong, Learn more about bringing your wheels on board, Find out how we're keeping our passengers safe, We have a range of options to suit your needs, Check out our new dining and lounge areas, Catch a flick in one of our two onboard cinemas, All the fun and frivolities on offer during the day. , The government must act quickly to save Christmas for many local caravan park operators who are already struggling to survive and whose pipeline bookings are much softer than they should be for this time of year., Up to $480 each way for an eligible passenger vehicle towing a caravan. If you have access to a kitchen, DIY breakfast, pack a picnic or cook up a quick pasta dinner. {{IbpCms.accommodationDayTicketsFlavourText}}, {{IbpCms.accommodationPetKennelsFlavourText}}, {{getOptionQuantity(option)}} or fewer {{Utils.pluralize(option.unitText, getOptionQuantity(option))}} available. Day travel is tiring and boring, especially for children. Oops, you need to have at least one passenger. Card payment fees may apply. {{IbpCms.accommodationReclinersBlockedMessage}}, {{IbpCms.accommodationNoDayTicketsForNightSailings}}. It was nice and cosy and I cuddled up as we lounged and listened to the live entertainment. Your cancellation has been successful. We hooked the caravan up to our 4WD and set off to Tassie via Spirit of Tasmania. Drive towards the vehicle booth and wait to proceed. This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Adult passenger fares from $99 (Recliner included) per person each way based on night sailings in low demand season. So although we had started to move through the process of boarding we were still waiting behind barriers for an hour or so to board. The Passenger Vehicle Equalisation Scheme is meant to normalise the costs of travelling on the water as if it was part of the road network, with the government saving millions of dollars, as Bass Strait has been largely closed during Covid with border closures between Victoria and Tasmania, he said. Its perched right on a beautiful beach with calm, clear water and an abundance of pebbles, little caves and rock platforms. Conditions of Carriage, Tasmanian Biosecurity Conditions, Privacy Policy, Tip: motion sick pills are a must for the rough bass straits whether you have a bunk or not. Now it's time to add your cabin to the package. Yes, we were very happy to discover that little tip! You're ready to get started building your fare. What could possibly make this take so long? Few questions for the experts though, cause I need to plan. Wishing you a fantastic Tasmanian trip! There are rest areas on every highway leading to (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? Hubby and I were making the most of our holiday and decided to try the fine dining option available at Leatherwood Restaurant. Arrive {{booking.getArrivalDate(legOfJourney, 'D MMM h:mm A')}}, Your {{legOfJourney.toLowerCase()}} ticket, {{getSailing().origin}} to {{getSailing().destination}}, Your {{LegOfJourney.Return.toLowerCase()}} ticket. (Check-in opens between 1.5 hours to 2.5 hours prior to departure and closes strictly 45 minutes before the scheduled departure time.). Spirit of Tasmania's Geelong terminal is located at Spirit of Tasmania Quay in North Shore, approximately 5km from the Geelong CBD. Boarding the Spirit of Tasmania by car - what it is like! We were shown to our table by a very welcoming maitre d and introduced to our waiters for the evening. Please try again later. The night before we had free camped about 90km from Melbourne on the river at Seymour. {{booking.getDisembarkTime(legOfJourney, 'h:mm A')}}, {{ fee.description }}: {{ fee.price | money:false }}. Also look out for small-change experiences. The night sailing option on board Spirit of Tasmania departs Melbourne at 7.30pm so there is enough time to enjoy a glass of wine and a meal in the restaurant. Some credit card policies include complimentary travel insurance, so check before buying more. We rented two ocean view cabins, both had 2 single beds each. We were driving our convertible. It was postponed from October last year and I am finally letting myself get excited. Each evening two complimentary movies are shown in the cinema. I can't help myself. You may take one carry-on bag or suitcase on board and leave the remainder of your luggage in your car. There was an error retrieving our updated time table. Documentation will be sent to your specified email address. There is no reversing onto or off of The Spirit of Tasmania. When the gates open, follow the blue line and board via the bow or up the sky bridge (you will be directed). Travelled on the Spirit of Tasmania for a night crossing to Devonport. If youre planning a driving holiday around Tasmania and want to travel over the Bass Strait by boat, the Spirit of Tasmania will be your transport. Hi Barrie, The SOT is very well organised with loading and unloading. There are so many evening activities available on board Spirit of Tasmania. read more, Take your pillow when you have booked a cabin . Yes. {{booking.getDepartureDate(legOfJourney, 'h:mm A')}}, Arriving {{booking.getArrivalDate(legOfJourney, 'h:mm A')}}, Disembarking from {{getSelectedSailingProductName(legOfJourney)}} Terms & Conditions, Move {{Utils.convertNameCase(passenger.passengerDetails.firstName)}}, Conditions of Carriage, Tasmanian Biosecurity Conditions, Privacy Policy, Specific needs and assistance requirement form, Departing {{booking.getDepartureDate(legOfJourney, 'dddd D MMMM')}}, {{ getSailingTotalPriceText(legOfJourney) }}, Departing I like a porthole to look through too. Driving on board Spirit of Tasmania via ourDevonport terminal is a breeze - watch our boarding video tosee for yourself. Latest news and updates on the new ships. Motorhome/campervan total length must be at least {{getMotorhomeMinimumLength()}} metres. Just drive straight on, follow instructions, you will be amazed how east it is. Your cancellation has been successful. I had just finished getting ready when there was the announcement; we had arrived at our destination. Also with two tripods, two camera bags, a big heavy jacket each, computers and electronic devices I think most airlines would have asked us to repack or pay an overweight charge. Our teenage son loved it. Pleased to be of help. Meanwhile, Stuart Lamont, CEO of the Caravan Industry Association of Australia, echoed these statements by saying that encouraging people to board the Spirit of Tasmania will mean they stay longer, spend more and disperse further, which helps support not only Tasmania but also Victoria due to the location of the port. When the vehicle booth has opened, please present your e-ticket to receive your boarding pass. And, according to the industry, its none other than the Bass Strait thats stopping Tasmania from making a full and lucrative return to the tourism sector. Eight years ago we also enjoyed the family sailing experience. You need to buy a pass for national parks, but it works out to just dollars a day to hike, swim, kayak and more in spectacular wilderness. Please try again later. Buy the bag of mixed lettuce leaves from Thirlstane Gardens no other salad leaves will ever compare (the local potatoes, toms, carrots and apricots are fabulous, too). {{getDealDetails(getAppliedDeal()).shortDescription}}, {{getDealDetails(code).shortDescription}}, {{payment.insurance.quote.label}} - Travel insurance premium = {{ payment.insurance.quote.price | money}}. Don't worry we've still got you! Eight weeks in Tasmania - All Free or Low Cost camping! The inside Cabins were nice and neat. Your policy number is {{getInsurancePolicyNumber()}}. Few questions for the experts though, cause. I'm not even on the boat yet and it's been 1.5 hours in a line. Once youve received your boarding pass, drive straight through to our vehicle marshalling yard. What could possibly make this take so long? 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