Catching the ferry to Tasmania is a fun and exciting way to start your Tassie road trip, and in this guide I answer all the questions you might have, helping you experience the best ferry crossing ever.
Spirit of Tasmania prices, ferry crossing travel times, timetable details, how to travel with pets – and plenty more!
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It makes a lot of sense to start your Tasmania road trip with a sail on the Spirit of Tasmania ferry.
No excess baggage fees, your own vehicle that you know and love, no need to pay for hire car or campervan insurance, and you can even bring your pet pooch!
At the same time I know the options can be a little confusing, and I get a lot of questions about how it all works, and what you can expect on the ferry to Tasmania.
Spirit of Tasmania prices and cost? How to bring your pet on the ferry? Should you pay more for a Spirit of Tasmania cabin? Entertainment options…and the list goes on.
That’s why I’ve created this guide – to use my experience as a local Tasmanian to help answer all your questions and to get your road trip started in the best way possible!
← Want to skip ahead? Click on the menu down the left hand side 😊
I must thank the Lap of Tas community for helping me put this guide together. If you have any extra tips or advice, or any questions that I don’t answer, please let me know here and I’ll ensure it gets included in future updates!
The Spirit of Tasmania ferry to Tasmania is very popular with road trippers, and it is critical that you start planning your Geelong to Devonport ferry crossing as early as possible.
First of all, you can book your tickets up to 11 months before your sailing date, so there is no point trying to book any earlier than that.
The two most important factors impacting on how early you book you Spirit of Tasmania ticket are your vehicle type, and the time of year you want to visit and return from Tasmania.
I hear a lot of people saying, “Nahhh, she’ll be right mate. I’ll leave it until closer to the date.” But these same people so often get caught out by the extremely high demand for travel to/from Tasmania, and the lack of deck space for tall/long/wide vehicles on the ferry.
The time of year is critical – especially for your return sail. As the temperatures start to drop in late autumn and early winter, many campers and caravanners leave Tasmania for warmer temperatures up north. Fares at this time of year are very limited, and it is not uncommon for travellers to be stuck in Tasmania for weeks or even months waiting for a spot to open up. Mind you, some might say this is a good thing 😂
The other bonus for booking early is that you can often secure cheaper rates, and that’s always a good thing!
The Spirit of Tasmania ferry sails in both directions between Geelong in the Australian state of Victoria, and Devonport in the state of Tasmania.
Geelong is a large city on the southern Victorian coastline, about a 1.5 hour drive from central Melbourne (75km).
Devonport is a small city on the northern coastline of Tasmania, about a 1.5 hour drive from Launceston or 4hrs from Hobart.
The ferry crosses Port Phillip Bay and Bass Strait, with a total route measuring 415km (224 nautical miles).
For our international travellers, you will be pleased to know that you don’t need to worry about special visas for transiting between Victoria and Tasmania.
Are you wondering how long does the Spirit of Tasmania take?
Depending on weather conditions the Spirit of Tasmania travel time varies between 8.5hrs and 11.5hrs from Geelong to Tasmania, and vice versa.
When working out how much time to allow, don’t forget that you can’t just turn up at your ferry departure time, as you need to allow time to be processed and to board.
Check-in opens between 1.5 hours to 2.5 hours prior to departure and closes strictly 45 minutes before the scheduled departure time. If you are a special needs passenger then you will need to check in at least 2 hours prior to departure.
Disembarking from the ferry can take as long as 30 minutes, but in speaking with other travellers it is normally more like 15-20mins.
Demand for the Spirit of Tasmania varies greatly throughout the year – pick your dates wisely and you can save a lot of money!
🌞 Summer – December to February – is the most popular time for visiting Tasmania, and berths book out early. A second ship sails during these times to provide greater capacity.
🍂 Late summer and autumn – February to May – is very popular for the return sail from Devonport to Geelong, as this is when many ‘grey nomads’ and other long term travellers head north and leave Tasmania for warmer weather. Weather conditions at this time of year are also a bit more calm than usual meaning a smoother sail is a little bit more likely.
❄️ Winter – June to August – is the least popular time to visit Tasmania due to the cool conditions and the possibility of a rougher sail, but many agree this is when Tasmania is at its most beautiful. Tickets for the Spirit of Tasmania ferry can be cheaper at this time of year due to lower demand.
Read More: The Best Time to Visit Tasmania
The Spirit of Tasmania timetable is surprisingly consistent throughout the year, making it easy to remember what your sailing times are.
There are two types of journey – a ‘Night Sail’ and a ‘Day Sail’.
✓ More time to enjoy the cruise
✓ More time to enjoy the entertainment options
✓ More time to try food/drink options
✓ More time to book tours
✓ More to see during daylight hours
✓ Good for light sleepers
✗ It’s a long time to keep the kids occupied
✗ Earlier start to the day, so less time to prepare
✗ May need to stay the night before in Geelong
✗ You may arrive in Tasmania in the dark
✓ More time to prepare and arrive on time
✓ Save on accommodation costs
✓ Wake up refreshed and ready to start your road trip
✓ More accommodation options on arrival
✓ Don’t need to entertain the children for as long
✓ You can sleep through potential sea sickness
✗ Less time to enjoy the facilities on board
✗ Early wake up before disembarking
✗ Less things to see from on deck due to the dark
✗ Not good for light sleepers
It’s the big question for all travellers, what is the Spirit of Tasmania price and how much am I going to have to put aside in my budget?
There are four parts to your fare, depending on how you plan on travelling:
Spirit of Tasmania ferry prices are heavily dependent on the season and passenger demand.
This means that prices are always changing over time, and the best way to check prices at different times and for different vehicle combinations is to create a fake booking.
Things that affect your Spirit of Tasmania cost include:
To give you an idea of typical prices I created fake bookings for four common scenarios in high season (January). The table below shows you how they vary for a return ticket, depending on how you plan on travelling.
In winter (June) prices are around 50% cheaper if you are just bringing a car, or 30% cheaper if you are towing a caravan.
You can also see that bringing a caravan will increase the price by around $1,000 – however this can vary substantially depending on just how big your caravan is.
| Couple + Car | Couple + Caravan | Family + Car | Family + Caravan | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Depart | 7 Jan | 7 Jan | 7 Jan | 7 Jan |
| Return | 11 Feb | 11 Feb | 11 Feb | 11 Feb |
| Type | Night Sail | Night Sail | Night Sail | Night Sail |
| Adults | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Children | - | - | 2 | 2 |
| Vehicle | Toyota Camry | Toyota Landcruiser | Toyota Camry | Toyota Landcruiser |
| Total Length | - | 12m / 39 feet | - | 12m / 39 feet |
| Dog | No | No | No | No |
| Accommodation | 4-bed inside cabin | 4-bed inside cabin | 4-bed inside cabin | 4-bed inside cabin |
| Total Price (return) | $1,897 | $2,916 | $2,295 | $3,314 |
Note: Prices are indicative only and were correct at the time of writing (December 2023)
You will be pleased to hear that all online bookings have a 48hr ‘cooling off’ period, which means that if you cancel your tickets within 48hrs of purchase then you will receive a full refund of the ticket value (as long as you purchased your ticket more than 7 days before your travel date).
Please note that any amendment fees or payment fees that you may have incurred are non-refundable (just the ticket value). You can find more info about their fare types and T&Cs here.
Passenger prices underpin every Spirit of Tasmania ticket price.
While most people choose to bring a vehicle, this isn’t always the case, with many travellers picking up their rental car on arrival in Devonport.
As you can imagine, the passenger-only fare is the cheapest Spirit of Tasmania price option.
Spirit of Tasmania passenger prices are typically around $540 per person (adult) for a return ticket in summer, and around $280 in winter.
These walk-on fares are sometimes placed on sale (particularly during off-peak times) resulting in prices as long as around $140 return, and I also noticed that ‘last minute walk-on‘ fare reductions are occasionally made available – so it’s definitely worth checking the Spirit of Tasmania website and signing up to the newsletter to keep abreast of special offers!
Booking a cabin is the most popular option for travellers that value their privacy, and unless you sleep like the dead on a night sail I would say a cabin is absolutely essential for a good night’s sleep. You’ll be pleased to hear that Spirit of Tasmania cabin prices are also very reasonable!
There are a number of different options:
All cabins include adjustable air-conditioning, ensuite bathroom, 230V power point, desk/chair, bedding, towels and soap.
Before covid hit the travel industry it used to be possible to book a ‘share’ cabin, however this is no longer possible and now all cabins are private.
* Prices are indicative only, as they vary throughout the year (and can be lower when ‘on sale’) – but they give you a good idea of what to expect
** Accessible cabins are not available via the website and you will need to call them to check availability and make your booking
If you feel like a cabin is overkill for your journey – especially if you’re a solo traveller – you may like the idea of booking a recliner on your day sail.
Recliners are like the chairs you see on an airplane in business class. The floor-to-ceiling windows provide great views, and the cinema-style design provides a lot of extra comfort compared to the public lounges.
Spirit of Tasmania recliner prices start from $39 on day sails, and on a night sail every traveller is provided with a recliner at no charge.
Using a free recliner on a night sail is a good way of saving money, but keep in mind that you will be sleeping in proximity to strangers who may snore or get restless in the night. If you’re a light sleeper I don’t recommend this option at all.
The last option to keep in mind is a ‘Day Ticket’.
These tickets are available on day sails only, and they are free.
When you select a Day Ticket you are essentially saying, “I don’t want any accommodation, and I’m happy to just walk around the ship and use the public lounge seating and other public facilities.“
Passenger and cabin prices are all pretty easy to understand, but where things get more complicated is your vehicle price. The reason for this is because there are only so many vehicles that can fit on the Spirit of Tasmania, and space – especially for large vehicles – is at a premium.
When making your booking online you will see that it asks you for the make and model of your car/van/motorhome, and the details of any vehicles you might be towing.
The critical information you need to provide here are the length and height of your vehicle(s).
When calculating the length make sure you include the drawbar and anything attached to the rear of your caravan eg. bike racks or a jerry can. They will then add the length of your caravan to the length of your vehicle to work out your total parking space.
When calculating the height, don’t forget to include anything on your roof rack as well. If you find that you are just over the 2.1m height threshold, you may want to reduce your tyre pressure to get you under – but please only consider this if it can be done safely.
I’d love to provide you with specific $s, however there are far too many combinations for me to give you all the prices, and you will need to create fake bookings to check for yourself.
For a quick guide, check the table I provide above, where I show you prices for a standard 4WD towing a caravan in summer.
Important: Spirit of Tasmania check these heights/lengths, and if you under-report your vehicle dimensions you may need to pay more, or in the worst case scenario you may not be allowed to travel due to a lack of sufficiently large berths.
If you love travelling with your furry friend then you’ll be pleased to hear that you can take your dog on the Spirit of Tasmania!
There are two options – using a kennel, or keeping your dog in your own vehicle.
A kennel will cost you around $22 each way.
Leaving your pet inside your vehicle is free, but there is a specific process you must follow. I provide more information about this below.
There are two ways to secure a discount on your Spirit of Tasmania booking.
Regular Specials
The best way to find out about Spirit of Tasmania deals is to:
Association Memberships
The following discounts are also available:
One of the best things about the Spirit of Tasmania ferry to Tasmania is that, unlike a plane, you can bring your pet dog or cat with you!
There are two options – using the Spirit of Tasmania kennels, or keeping your pet in your own vehicle.
If you are bringing a dog you must ensure Fido has been Hydatid wormed within 14 days of sailing.
During the sail pets are kept in cage kennels on a lower deck with excellent ventilation.
Pet Attendants regularly check all animals staying in the kennels and fresh water is also supplied throughout the journey.
Bedding isn’t provided by the Spirit of Tasmania, and to help your pet settle in and stay warm on the open air deck it’s a good idea to leave their favourite blanket or chew toy in the kennel.
Unfortunately for safety reasons you can’t visit your pet during the sail 
To learn more about bringing your pet on the ferry to Tasmania I found this video by the Spirit of Tasmania to be the best place to start, and for a traveller’s perspective this video by ‘Chasing Dreams‘ is really useful as well.
Keeping your dog inside your vehicle is a great option if you have concerns about keeping your dog in a kennel, and how your dog will handle the sea crossing.
The Spirit of Tasmania neither promotes nor recommends this option, but it is permitted so long as you follow the correct process.
To do this you need to:
Spirit of Tasmania staff will not be checking on your pet during the sail, so it is completely up to you to ensure their comfort, and that they have adequate ventilation and water to last the trip.
The ship may encounter rough seas, so it is very important that you make sure their water isn’t going to tip over. Toilet training is also recommended 💩😝
The Spirit of Tasmania boarding process is very simple and easy to follow.
The team that greet you in Geelong have been helping travellers get their cars, campervans, caravans and motorhomes onto the ferry for decades and they have got the process down to a fine art.
Here is a summary of Tasmania’s strict quarantine laws. For the full list click here.
You are allowed to bring…
You are not allowed to bring…
Lots of travellers tell me they they were so glad they booked a night in Geelong before sailing on the Spirit of Tasmania – especially for a day sail with an early start.
It can make a big difference to not have to worry about traffic jams, and to start the boarding process fresh and without the stresses of a day on the road.
I’ve spoken with many travellers to get their recommendations for the best accommodation options in Geelong that are close to the Spirit of Tasmania ferry terminal and my recommendations are listed below (including distances and drive times to the ferry terminal).
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Spending a night in Devonport after your arrival is the perfect way to get your Tasmania road trip started.
Kick back for a day or two, get a feel for your surrounds, and enjoy the laid-back vibes of this seaside city.
The Grand on Macfie is your best B&B accommodation option for your first night in Tasmania!
Use my LAPOFTAS10 code online, or mention the Lap of Tasmania on the phone when booking your sumptuous king or queen suite at The Grand on Macfie and receive:
Click here to check availability
You’ve done the hard work, now it’s time to relax and enjoy the cruise!
Cinema
There are two cinemas on board, showing latest release movies for both adults and children at multiple times throughout the cruise. It isn’t free, but it’s a great way to spend the time.
Live Music
Throughout the sail you’ll find musicians popping up to keep your toes tapping.
Reading Room
Want to get away from it all? The reading room is the perfect place to curl up with a good book.
Public TV
Chill out with some light TV entertainment at one of the many public TVs scattered throughout the ship.
Playground
This colourful and safe play space will be a magnet for the littl’uns. There’s slippery slides, a jungle gym and plenty of other fun things to keep them occupied.
Free Digital Magazines
In the 48 hours prior to boarding you can download as many premium magazines and newspapers as you like using the PressReader app, for later offline reading on your cruise or as you travel around Tasmania.
Kids Game Zone
Filled with arcade games and plenty of comfy lounges, your kids will have hours of fun.
School Holiday Entertainment
From December to April the Spirit of Tasmania makes things really special for the children on board, with musicians, face painters, entertainers and other exciting activities.
I recommend using your cruise on the Spirit of Tasmania to do a digital detox, but if you need to get online you’ll find WiFi is available in all public spaces for a fee.
Travellers tell me that Telstra has the best coverage for the crossing, with just a small section in the middle of Bass Strait where you will lose signal.
Baby-changing facilities are available at multiple locations across multiple decks.
Just because you have special needs does not mean a cruise on the Spirit of Tasmania is off limits.
They have the people and the equipment to help you embark and disembark safely, and the ship layout has been designed to cater for all passengers with special needs.
Let them know at the time of booking.
Tasmania is renowned for its amazingly fresh and delicious food and drink, and you will get your first taste of this incredible cuisine at either the Tasmanian Market Kitchen (TMK) or The Pantry.
Antipasto plates, roast dinners, dessert platters, massive buffet, and heaps of options for the kids – they’ve got every base covered.
Still feeling hungry? The Spirit of Tasmania run a fantastic program called the ‘Flavours of Tassie‘, where you can taste a range of gourmet Tasmanian products while chatting with the producers themselves!
And when it’s time for a beverage or two you’ll love the extensive selection of premium Tasmanian beers, wines, ciders, spirits, and non-alcoholic options. Anyone for a Moo Brew? 😀
There is a Tourism Hub on the ferry where you can continue your holiday planning.
Staff can even make tour or accommodation bookings for you, so it’s all ready to go when you arrive in Tasmania!
If you plan on visiting Tasmania’s National Parks then a ‘Parks Pass’ is essential.
It’s easy to register online before you leave, but if you’ve forgotten or would rather do it face-to-face then you can sort it all out at the Tourist Hub.
At the same time you can also organise any fishing licences you may need.
Smoking is not permitted indoors, however there a number of designated smoking areas on outside decks.
Pro Tip – Check these items 2-3 weeks before departure.
✓ Buy your sea sickness medication – Travacalm or Kwells are popular over the counter medications. Ginger tablets or acupressure bands have also been found to help some travellers.
They are also very easy to order online:
✓ Allow enough time to check in and board the ferry – The terminal gates open for quarantine checks 2.5 hours prior to departure, while boarding commences 1.5hrs prior to departure. Final check-in is 45 minutes prior to departure.
✓ Plan your meals – There are plenty of meal options on the Spirit of Tasmania (see below), but to save money you might prefer to pack your own. Remember that Tasmania has strict quarantine laws that are enforced before you get on the ferry (see below for more info), so don’t pack something that is only going to get thrown out by the quarantine officers.
✓ Worm your dog – All dogs travelling on the Spirit of Tasmania must be Hydatid wormed within 14 days of travel. At the quarantine checkpoint they will ask for evidence (eg. dated receipt, or vet’s note).
✓ Mild sedation for your pet (if necessary) – If you are worried about how your dog will handle the crossing, see your vet and ask whether mild sedation is a good idea or not.
✓ Plan your day bag – Every traveller on the ferry is allowed to take one bag on board (66cm x 46.5cm x 27.5cm, and no weight restrictions apply):
✓ Prepare for the quarantine and security check:
✓ Make sure your tickets are easily accessible – You will be asked to present your tickets prior to boarding – this can be either a paper copy, or you can have a digital copy ready to show them on your phone
Disembarking from the Spirit of Tasmania is super-easy and is a lot quicker than boarding the ferry – it is likely you’ll be on dry land in less than 30 minutes.
Disembarking happens in stages, and they will tell you exactly when your stage is planned to commence.
If you’re on a Night Sail you’ll get a wake-up call about an hour before the disembarking process starts.
If you want to eat breakfast on the ship I recommend getting up early as the kitchen gets very busy with people making coffees and buying snacks etc. the closer you get to arrival.
Plan your Tasmania road trip!I hope you’ve found this guide useful in planning and booking your sail on the Spirit of Tasmania ferry!
If I’ve missed anything or you would like me to cover something in more detail please let me know as I am always looking for ways to improve my information and advice.
Are you interested in connecting with other travellers and Tassie locals?
I’ve got a fantastic community on Facebook who are super keen to help you with road trip inspiration and advice.
It’s the perfect place to ask questions and to plan an awesome itinerary that perfectly suits your style of travel – Click here to join my Facebook group.
If you’ve got any questions at all please get in touch, I’d love to hear from you.
Happy road tripping!
Andrew.
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