If you want to take your own car across Bass Strait, the Spirit of Tasmania ferry is the way to do it — it is the only passenger ferry service between mainland Australia and Tasmania. And it is about to change in a big way: two brand-new ships, Spirit of Tasmania IV and Spirit of Tasmania V, start carrying passengers on 31 October 2026.
Quick Answer
Spirit of Tasmania sails between Geelong in Victoria and Devonport in Tasmania, and the crossing takes around 9.5 to 11.5 hours. The new ships each carry up to 1,800 passengers and offer 301 cabins, including family cabins and pet-friendly cabins. Fares depend on your sailing date, vehicle and cabin choice, so the cheapest move is to book early and compare a few dates. Book direct through the official site: Spirit of Tasmania.
What Is Changing on 31 October 2026?
The two new ships replace the long-serving Spirit of Tasmania I and II, which have run the Bass Strait crossing since 2002. The new vessels are bigger in every way that matters to travellers:
- More passengers: up to 1,800 per sailing, up from around 1,400 on the old ships.
- More room for vehicles: 4,098 lane metres, compared with 2,565 lane metres before — roughly 60% more vehicle space.
- More room for caravans: over three times the caravan capacity of the old ships, which is welcome news if you have struggled to get a van on board in peak season.
- More cabins: 301 cabins per ship, including accessible cabins, deluxe cabins and family cabins that sleep up to six people.
- A new Devonport terminal: the Spirit Quay terminal at Berth 3 in East Devonport opened on 22 October 2026, ready for the new ships.
At launch, the timetable includes night sailings only. Day sailings may be added later if demand calls for them, so check the current schedule before you plan around a daytime crossing.
The Route: Geelong to Devonport
Spirit of Tasmania sails between Devonport in Tasmania and Geelong in Victoria. The Victorian terminal moved from Port Melbourne to Geelong in late 2022, so do not head to Station Pier out of habit.
The Geelong terminal, Spirit of Tasmania Quay, is at 136 Corio Quay Road, North Geelong — about 70 kilometres from Melbourne, or roughly an hour’s drive. If you are coming by train, V/Line services stop at North Shore station (about 1.4 kilometres from the terminal) or North Geelong station (about 2 kilometres away), and you will need a taxi or rideshare for the last stretch. The Devonport terminal is on the Esplanade at East Devonport.
Overnight sailings run all year, with daytime sailings on selected dates when demand is higher. The crossing itself takes between 9.5 and 11.5 hours depending on weather and sea conditions, and on the overnight sailing you get a wake-up call 45 minutes before disembarking.
How Much Does Spirit of Tasmania Cost?
There is no single Spirit of Tasmania price, because your fare is built from three parts: the passenger fare, the vehicle fare, and the cabin or recliner fare if you book one. What you pay also depends on the season, the sailing, and how far ahead you book — the operator says fares are set on expected demand, and it does not plan to raise passenger, vehicle or caravan fares on the new ships outside its normal yearly pricing review.
To give you a realistic sense of the cost, one independent guide tested return bookings for two adults and found a couple travelling with a car paid around $614 in winter and around $1,484 in summer, cabin included. A couple towing a caravan came in around $1,802 in winter and around $2,672 in summer. Treat those as a rough guide only — your own quote will differ by date, vehicle size and cabin type.
A few ways to keep the cost down:
- Book early. Popular sailings and school-holiday dates sell out first, and early bookers get the widest choice of cabins and fares.
- Compare dates. Shifting your sailing by a day or two can change the price noticeably.
- Check member discounts. RACV members save 10% off Spirit and Flexi passenger fares when booking direct, though the discount does not apply to deluxe cabins or vehicle fares.
- Pick the right sleeping option. A recliner is far cheaper than a cabin on the overnight sailing — but after a 10-hour crossing, most travellers reckon a cabin is money well spent.
Cabins and Recliners: What to Book
On the new ships you can choose from inside, porthole, deluxe and family cabins, plus standard and business recliners. Family cabins sleep up to six, which suits a family road trip, and cabins come with private bathroom facilities. Travelling with a baby? A complimentary cot can be booked, subject to availability — a four-bed or deluxe cabin is the recommended choice, and you will need to bring your own linen for the cot. Infants cannot travel in recliner seats.
If you are travelling without a vehicle, check the baggage allowance for your sailing before you pack, and keep medication, ID and anything else you need overnight in the bag you take to the passenger decks. Once you are parked on board, you cannot get back to your vehicle during the voyage.
Taking Your Car, Caravan or Motorhome
Bringing your own vehicle is the whole point for most Spirit of Tasmania passengers — it means no hire car queue in Devonport and the freedom to explore well beyond Hobart and Launceston. Caravans, motorhomes and trailered boats are all accepted, and the new ships’ extra space makes it easier to get larger setups on board.
When booking, measure your vehicle properly: the total length including any caravan, trailer, drawbar, bike rack or roof load, and the total height including roof racks. Getting the measurements wrong can mean an extra fee at check-in, or in the worst case being refused boarding if there is no room on the right vehicle deck. Electric vehicles are welcome on board, but you cannot charge while sailing, so arrive with enough charge to drive off at the other end. Make sure you have a full tank or a good charge before boarding, as service stations can be few and far between in parts of Tasmania.
Travelling With Pets
This is one of the biggest improvements on the new ships. In the past, pets travelled in onboard kennels. Now each new ship offers 18 pet-friendly cabins for dogs and cats, where up to two pets can stay in the cabin with you, plus 45 climate-controlled kennels and a dedicated outdoor pet deck for exercise and toilet breaks.
Pet cabins are popular, so book as early as you can. Note that the operator advises against leaving pets in vehicles during the voyage, and you will not be able to check on a pet left in a vehicle. Tasmania also has strict biosecurity rules for dogs entering the state, so check the requirements before you travel — and remember that fresh fruit and vegetables, fish, plants, honey and soil cannot be brought into Tasmania at all.
On Board: Food, Entertainment and Wi-Fi
An overnight crossing is long, but there is plenty to do. The new ships offer dining venues including the Mersey Café and Cradle Lounge, plus the Bass Strait General Store, cinemas, an entertainment zone, kids’ play equipment and Tasmanian showcases in the Huon Lounge. Wi-Fi is available to buy in public areas, but not in cabins, and speeds can be slower than on land because the connection comes via satellite.
Bass Strait has a reputation for rough water, and some crossings are choppy. If you are prone to seasickness, take motion sickness tablets before boarding as directed on the packet, get fresh air, look at the horizon, and sip water and nibble plain snacks. There is a medical attendant on board if you need help.
Check-In: What to Know Before You Go
Check-in generally opens between 1.5 and 2.5 hours before departure and closes 45 minutes before the scheduled sailing time, so do not cut it fine — and allow at least two hours if you have extra requirements. Bring photo ID: a driver’s licence or passport is required at check-in. Vehicle passengers should allow extra time for boarding, and follow the instructions on your e-ticket, as boarding times vary.
Once you arrive in Devonport, listen for announcements: passengers are called to their vehicles by deck number, and you should head down as soon as your deck is called. Do not start your engine until instructed.
Is Spirit of Tasmania Still Running After the Reported Loss?
You may have seen headlines in late October 2026 about TT-Line, the Tasmanian Government-owned company behind the ferry, reporting a large accounting loss for 2025–26. That result was driven by asset write-downs on the ferries and terminals, while the company still posted a small operating profit. Its chairman has said the write-downs are non-cash and that the company has been solvent at all times. In short: the new ships are still starting on 31 October 2026, and bookings are open.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is the Spirit of Tasmania crossing?
Between 9.5 and 11.5 hours, depending on weather and sea conditions.
Where does Spirit of Tasmania depart from?
Geelong in Victoria (Spirit of Tasmania Quay, 136 Corio Quay Road, North Geelong) and Devonport in Tasmania (the Esplanade, East Devonport).
Can I take my dog on Spirit of Tasmania?
Yes. The new ships offer pet-friendly cabins for up to two pets, plus climate-controlled kennels. Book pet cabins early, as they sell out fast.
Can I take a caravan on the ferry?
Yes — caravans, motorhomes and trailered boats are accepted, and the new ships have more than three times the caravan capacity of the old ones.
Do I need a cabin for the overnight sailing?
No, recliners are available and cheaper, but a cabin is far more comfortable for a 10-hour overnight crossing, especially for families.
When should I book?
As early as you can. Bookings for the new ships opened on 16 September 2026 and can be made up to 12 months ahead, and peak-season sailings sell out.
