Guide · Bass Strait ferries ·
Spirit of Tasmania: how to book a car ferry crossing
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Spirit of Tasmania is the car and passenger ferry that crosses Bass Strait between Melbourne and Devonport, and it is the only ferry service to Tasmania. Two ships, Spirit of Tasmania I and II, sail most nights, and each trip takes about 9 to 11 hours. This guide covers the sailings, cabins, vehicle fees and the booking steps that matter most before you pay.
Sources for this section: Spirit of Tasmania (TT-Line), About the Ship and Sailing Schedule.
Spirit of Tasmania at a glance
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Route | Station Pier, Port Melbourne, to The Esplanade, East Devonport, and back |
| Usual departure | 7:30pm from each port |
| Day sailings | 9:00am departures in peak season, on set dates between September and April |
| Crossing time | About 11 hours on single-sailing days, about 9 hours on double-sailing days |
| Size of each ship | 1,400 passengers and 500 vehicles |
| Operator | TT-Line |
The ships were built in Finland in 1998 and began the Bass Strait service on 1 September 2002. They are 194.3 metres long and weigh about 28,000 tonnes.
Sources for this section: Spirit of Tasmania, About the Ship, Sailing Schedule and FAQs.
Where the ferry goes, and where it does not
The ferry lands at Devonport on Tasmania's north-west coast. From there you drive to Launceston, Cradle Mountain or Hobart. It does not sail to Hobart.
A Sydney to Tasmania service did run for a short time. Spirit of Tasmania III sailed overnight from Darling Harbour to Devonport from 2004, but the route stopped in 2006. Today the only crossing is Melbourne to Devonport.
Sources for this section: Spirit of Tasmania, About the Ship and FAQs.
Sailings and check-in times
Most people take the night sailing. You board in the evening, sleep on the ship and wake up in Tasmania. A wake-up announcement comes 45 minutes before you dock. In peak season, usually summer, the company adds day sailings that leave at 9:00am. When day and night sailings run back to back, night departure times can shift, so check the schedule for your date.
- Check-in opens 2.5 hours before departure and closes 45 minutes before the ship sails.
- Boarding starts 1.5 hours before departure.
- Special needs passengers should check in at least 2 hours before departure.
- Photo ID, such as a driver's licence or passport, is needed at check-in.
The company also publishes a 2019-2020 timetable as a PDF. Late arrivals miss the ship, so treat the cut-off as firm.
Sources for this section: Spirit of Tasmania, Sailing Schedule, Boarding Information and About the Ship.
Cabins and recliners
The company lists 222 cabins and 121 recliners on board. Every cabin has a private shower, and bedding, towels and soap are provided.
| Option | Sleeps | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Deluxe Cabin | 2 adults | Queen bed, television, twin window at the front of the ship |
| Twin Bed Private Porthole Cabin | 2 | Two single beds and a window |
| Four Bed Porthole Private Cabin | Up to 4 | Bunk beds and a window |
| Four Bed Inside Private Cabin | Up to 4 | Bunk beds, no window |
| Shared Cabin (twin or four bed) | Same-gender groups | Suits solo travellers |
| Recliner | 1 seat | Private lounge with large windows; blankets on evening sailings only |
If you book a Four Bed Porthole Cabin for fewer than three people, the company may move you to a Twin Bed Porthole Cabin. Infants can have a cot in the cabin free of charge, subject to availability. For a wheelchair accessible cabin, an assistance dog or a medical need, call 1800 884 305 when you book.
Sources for this section: Spirit of Tasmania, Accommodation and Booking Information.
Vehicle fees and rules
Taking your own car is the main reason to use the ferry. The company advertises these fares, each way, on top of the passenger fare:
- Car or 4WD: from an extra $99.
- Motorbike: from $69.
- Bicycle: from $19.
- Motorhome or caravan: priced by length, so you enter the measurements when you book.
These are "from" prices, and the company marks them with conditions, so your fare on the day may differ. A standard vehicle can be up to 6.0 metres long and 2.0 metres wide. Measure the full length, including the drawbar and bike racks. Height has no extra charge, but it must include roof racks and anything on the roof. If the height is wrong, you can be refused at check-in when there is no room on the right deck.
You cannot reach your vehicle during the voyage, so take one carry-on bag with your medicine and valuables. The limit is 66 cm by 46.5 cm by 27.5 cm.
Sources for this section: Spirit of Tasmania, Vehicles and Bicycles, Booking Information and FAQs.
How to book, and why to book early
You can book online, and bookings are usually open for the next 11 months. The order of steps is simple.
- Pick your dates and a sailing.
- Add your vehicle's make, model, registration and measurements.
- Enter every traveller's name as it appears on their ID, plus the date of birth for each child.
- Choose a cabin or recliner, then pay.
Child fares apply from age 3 to 15. Infants under 3 travel free but must be on the booking. Pets must travel in a ship kennel, which costs $22 each way, and dogs need a hydatid tapeworm treatment in the 14 days before they enter Tasmania.
Book early for peak times. The ships carry up to 1,400 passengers and 500 vehicles each, but cabins are limited, and the company adds day sailings over summer and other high-demand periods. That is a sign that demand is high. Changes made online more than 24 hours before departure have no amendment fee. Changes made through the phone team cost a $50 amendment fee, and a phone booking has a $10 booking fee.
Sources for this section: Spirit of Tasmania, FAQs, Booking Information and Sailing Schedule.
Biosecurity and packing
Tasmania guards its farms with strict rules. Fresh fruit, vegetables, plants, fish and soil cannot come on board, and a quarantine check happens before you board in Melbourne. Boats and fishing gear must be clean and dry, and vehicles must be free of soil and mud. Declare anything you are unsure about, or leave it behind.
Sources for this section: Spirit of Tasmania, Boarding Information and Vehicles and Bicycles.
Sources
- Spirit of Tasmania, About the Ship: spiritoftasmania.com.au
- Spirit of Tasmania, Sailing Schedule: spiritoftasmania.com.au
- Spirit of Tasmania, Boarding Information: spiritoftasmania.com.au
- Spirit of Tasmania, Vehicles and Bicycles: spiritoftasmania.com.au
- Spirit of Tasmania, Booking Information: spiritoftasmania.com.au
- Spirit of Tasmania, Accommodation: spiritoftasmania.com.au
- Spirit of Tasmania, FAQs: spiritoftasmania.com.au