What's it REALLY like? - Spirit of Tasmania
Hey friends, a Lap of Australia would not be complete without driving around Tasmania. This small state has so much to offer, and we've been looking forward to crossing Bass Strait and checking out Tassie for a long time. This is set to be a highlight of our three year Van Life Australia journey.
But first we have to get there. It's either fly, or take the ferry. Of course, living in a van means driving it onto the Spirit of Tasmania ferry for the 10 hour crossing over Bass Strait.
Due to availability, we had to take a day crossing. Will we get seasick? Will we get bored? What will we do for 10 hours?
Come on board with us as we show you around the ferry and answer some of the most common questions about the Spirit of Tasmania.
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What's it really like to cross Bass Strait on the Spirit of Tasmania? In this episode we answer the most common questions about the DAY sailing from Geelong to Devonport, with a campervan.
Having done the crossing several times on different ships, the Spirits are much faster as it used to be 16 hrs. The night crossing is better as you arrive in the morning and have the day ahead of you but do not buy a recliner. I think the food is too expensive for a captive audience but the facilities are good.
I have been on a few times and enjoyed it , I think if you gave these guys a gold bullion they would complain it was too heavy 😮
I've been on the Spirit and had absolutely no problem.
I just did it…. Loved it. The Spirit rocked me to sleep on both night crossings. Two essentials IMO. Get a cabin… do not sit in a seat for the crossing (if it is a rough crossing, you will have people moaning and puking 🤮 near you). On a journey many years earlier we were doing a day crossing…. No cabin. On arrival in the cafe area I ran into a steward who used to work with me on an oil rig (I was the radio officer and used to give him the odd freeby phone call). He said “hi George…. Let me see what I can do for you?”…. I expected a muffin or maybe some coffee?? VIP cabin looking out the front of the ship!!!! 🎉🎉❤
It’s a ferry not a cruise liner.
but there are better ferries all over Europe for example.
exactly and the sooner people realise it the better.
@@rivergladesgardenrailroad8834 That's terrific. Tasmania is not Europe. We only have a population of 500,000 people and our state is the poorest in Australia. What do you expect?
My partner and I did the trip in November 2019. Day trip out of Melbourne was a fantastic experience, Live music in the bars during the day and we never got bored. We did the return trip at night and upgraded to a cabin. It was the total opposite of the first trip. They locked the doors to the outside deck just after we left Devonport because the waves were so bad, the water was hitting the windows. The bars closed too early and the mattresses were too thin to make a comfortable sleep possible with the constant slamming up and down in the rough sea. Neither she or I suffered any sort of seasickness though. I would still do it again :)
Its worth it for the awesomeness of Tassie!
try the 4hr between picton and wellington nz in july/august its 25 miles of 5 metre or more swells shit food shit prices ie a stubbies ten bucks every bodies pucking up the nasty pies chico rolls plutos and yellow food at 100% mark up and hey its about 60 bucks an adult 300 for your car and if yout towing a van over 5 metre double it !!!!! WTF ... THE TROLLS own the pass and bleed you big time by the bye ive done the cookie x20 over 40 years got robbed every fn time so to be honest ....... the tassie ferry looks PREMO COMPARED to the Cook Srait crossing 1/4 the distance bigger more modern boat 10hrs cheaper ..... pps im a kiwi !!! makes puke and its home soil .. go user pays via coperate run ... public owned assets !!! how clever is NATAS & REFICULE ?
Your return trip could possibly have been the one that we travelled on 18/1/24 and it was frightening, never again for me.
Took a few beers got a cabin a sleeping pill..had a great sleep,,got a nice hot shower walked to car and had a smooth exit off the ship,,,,loved it.
lucky you. So you didn't get woken up by 'in the navy' at 4.45am....what a nightmare.
Sue and nigel are not complaining but just giving an opinion of their trip. Well done telling the truth. Happy stay❤❤❤
They are cheapskate wingers, hands down. She especially.
Cheers Sheryl!! We are loving Tassie, well worth the trip over.
Ive been on the ferry a couple different occasions and loved every minute of it.
Once out of Melbourne and into the Bass Straight, I was sea sick all the way there and all the way back. My trip was spent throwing up.
Bass Strait is the roughest stretch of water in the world so you guys got off lightly this time. Travelled on the spirits four times last year with no complaints. Book an inside cabin if travelling overnight, do not go for the chairs. The food on board is good just put as much as you can on your plate as your u can't go back for seconds. Hope you have a wonderful holiday in our beautiful state and don't rush just take your time as we are 20 years behind you mainlanders.
We are absolutely loving it!
Bay of Biscayne may argue that point…
Irish Sea may want a chat with you…😂
I thought this was great to watch and very informative. Thanks for sharing it.
Glad you enjoyed it and thanks for watching and a friendly comment! ☺️
Moan groan bloody hell talk about whinging. The reading room use to be an up market restaurant way back when before the refit and turning the big red boat into a slop house. Wait till you're in 5 plus metre seas then tell us how you went. P.S re do this crossing regularly as we are residents of the island.
A really interesting vid. I had no idea at all what the vessel was like, much bigger than I thought and obviously busy. Thanks again guys and keep safe.
Cheers David! Yes it’s very big, and it seems it’s always really busy. Hard to get a booking with a campervan
We lived in Tassie for 20 years, loved every minute, travelled the Spirit twice, first time in seats which was a nightmare but second in a cabin and enjoyed that. We had to leave to come back to family in Qld for health reasons but want to go back one day for holiday. So much to see and do.
We enjoyed our trip on the Spirit.
You must have got lucky with your trip over. I did it from Sydney many years ago. And the crew told me that they had had some shocking crossing between going down and coming back. 6 meter swells would have not been comfortable in bass Strait.
We travelled both day and night and had cabins on each, my wife was definitely pleased we paid for them. We did do our homework before travelling and was aware of the food restrictions to Tassie so no surprises there.
Will have a cabin in the way back, thankfully!!
I have seen peoples bring their own food to eat on the ferry as well as some even had KFC. but make sure you don't take any food of at the end of the trip.
Make sure you go and see "The Wall" at Derwent Bridge between the west coast and Hobart. It is a rather large wooden wall being carved by hand by one man. Amazing.
There are so many amazing places in Tasmania! Thanks for the recommendation.
The reason why Bass Strait is notoriously rough (for some watercraft) is that it was once a landbridge and the ocean’s first landfall to the west is South America. So it’s got a huge amount of space to build up and get wild. Smart travellers will prepare with seasickness preventatives or at least have them on hand. Personally I’ve never found it to be that bad and I’ve crossed many times on the ferry, the devilcat, and on cruise ships. Last set of crossings was on the 15/1/24 and night of the 19/1/24 - both were just fine.
I emigrated to Oz with my parents in 1969 on a ship called the Patris.As opposed to a 10 hour journey , we had a 6 week journey my dad says. I was 2 years old .All I can remember is peeing off the deck, the mattresses in the cabin, and the people waving at us as the ship docked at Sydney Harbour.
What a cool story! Thanks for sharing. I emigrated to australia in 1969 too, thankfully we came by plane, but even that took several days!
Why were you peeing off the mattresses at the people waving to you?
@@_Aardvark_ I may well have peed in my pants for all I know,but obviously peeing off the deck, braced hard against the railings in a stiff ocean breeze, was a wonderful experience ,which left a lasting memory on my 2 year old brain.The mattresses were those horrible 3 inch thick vinyl Institution issue.But seeing as we left a poor,rural village in Greece ,where we slept on the floor,they were an upgrade.
Overnighter was great bass straight though we loved it
Oh gawd If you are considering catching the spirit, DO NOT base any decision on this video. It’s fantastic.
It looks like shit though
@@tc88888888 So you’ve been on it then champ? I’ve actually been on it over a dozen times, not just pulled my pud while watching videos about it
I’ve done both day and night multiple times and must say I loved it! Would travel again in a heartbeat! I agree with you about the food though…rather expensive!
Great vlog! I travel on the Spirit ferry 4-6 times per year. One night crossing was through a storm force 11. That was a bit choppy. 😎
Oh wow! That would have been awful! I’m hoping it’s not worse on the way back. Thanks for watching!
Just did the night crossing, got a cabin and had the best sleep. Sure it was a little rocky out in the strait but you’ve got to expect that. We take the trip once a year. We never do day crossings and always get a cabin with a window. We also take some food with us and water, but we are coeliac and there is usually not a lot of options for us. If you’re worried about out getting seasick, don’t drink alcohol, nothing dairy, salty snacks are great and make sure you have a window to look at the horizon. We’ve always found the staff to be both professional and happy to help.
If only the night crossings didn’t book out so far in advance for tall vehicles! I was totally unable to change the trip back, but did pay the $170 to get a cabin. Worth every penny!
You should've been on the Princess Of Tasmania during early 70's! Ship stabilizers were still on the drawing board and breakfast was free provided you were up to it. Only drivers were allowed down to vehicle decks because, of the carnage.I sneaked down with my father once and saw a prime mover trailer embedded into a Chrysler Valiant-its engine sitting in the back seat. Yep, eat a bag of cement and toughen up, princess.(no pun intended)
Yeah I went on that one in 1981 on a school trip. I still shudder when I remember it
Well Bass Strait is generally considered some of the roughest waters to sail through. Spirit is a ferry so it won’t have the stabilisers like a cruise ship does. When I went there was a theatre which was great and it was a day sailing. I also loved the Cat which is no longer. It was much quicker but I love being on the water so I don’t mind it longer.
We did a night crossing out of Melbourne, was great to have a cabin but I spent the whole night over the bowl being sick.. My husband and daughter enjoyed the cinema and the rest of the boat but I just couldnt leave the cabin . Tasmania was lovely though so worth it in the end and we had a few days in the Grampians on our way back to our home in Adelaide.
Great video guys😊
Be thankful u had a smooth crossing last time i was on there it was such a rough crossisng we were locked inside no access to outdoor at all. The car deck was a disaster zone when we went down in the morning cos chains had snapped cars and trucks had shifted and smashed into one another, motor bikes fallen over . It was certainly an experience
Too much whingeing. It's a 10-12 hour crossing with nothing much to do, plenty of previous videos on the subject all of which advise to travel at night (NEVER the chairs), take your food with you, and expect extremely rough conditions (rejoice if you get a smooth crossing). Day crossing wastes 2 whole days which are much better spent actually seeing Tassie. I have crossed dozens of times first on the Taroona and every ship since, have done day, night, and chair crossings. 15 years or so ago the proper restaurant was very nice indeed but they canned that. I have been on 2 crossings where the staff were seasick (Princess and Spirit) and other crossings that were glass smooth. Hopefully on the new boat there will again be decent food in a proper restaurant.
I had seen your comment before the video. I don't think that they winged too much. Some people handle being contained and on the water differently. Otherwise, thanks for the info.
Completely agree. They seem so entitled 🎉 they complained about everything
@@tropicsalt. The opening words were" That was awful. I did not enjoy that voyage" If that's not a whinge, what is?
@einfelder8262 yep. Definitely a whinge. I didn't say they didn't whinge.
@@tropicsalt. Did you see this comment she made "I still have memories of my year 9 school trip on whatever ferry they had on 1981. And those memories are not good!"
I'm glad you enjoyed the trip in away, I watch it go past my house every night during the week. I have been on it four times and all were a little bumpy. Tasmania is a great place to visit any of the year.
We wish we’d been on the other side of the harbour to get the drone shots, it went much closer. I’m kind of dreading the trip back, but Tassie is definitely worth it. We’ve been here a week and a half already and we’re loving it!
Thank you for the video & info! We wanted to do this cruise for a long time but after going to Antartica last year (via the Drake Passage), we said no more ‘travelling on water’. However your video inspired us to put this journey back on the list. Big cheers from Melbourne 🍷!
Tasmania is WELL WORTH the 10 hours of travel on water. We’ve been here 2 weeks now and we’re loving it!
@@nigelandsueadventures We have been to Hobart, it’s amazing! Will look at the sea journey there in the future ☺️…
So you did not find it enjoyable. Why am I not surprised. Some people are just like that. I have travelled across many times. Never been 'bored'. Always enjoyed the trip. Even in terrible sea conditions. Again, some people are like that.
Yep, If you are bored, you are boring🤣
Congratulations guys on making it to the main island guys ! Recommend Bay of Fires east coast, Bruny Island national parks camping (the island off an island off an 7island ) and CYGNET! Free camp at Gordon or stealth camp at Randall's Bay. Enjoy and keep the vids coming. Also Sue I came across from Tassie in my van on my own you will ace it! 😊
Ok will add cygnet to the list! We have most of the others. Loving it so far. Plenty of Tassie videos to come!
Hope you are enjoying Tassie, it's a fabulous place!
We are absolutely loving it, thanks Bernie!
Been over to Tasmania on the Spirit for both work and leisure, I can honestly say by far the best is to travel on a night crossing and even in an internal cabin if you have to. Not at as good for me now that it leaves via Geelong but from a work standpoint it’s a lot easier.
Hopefully there will be availability for night sailing and cabin when I head back!!
That is a bit flasher than the NZR ferry to Picton , amazing ship , have to do that now LOL thanks for sharing .
It's definitely flashy, but not as flashy as some of the scandinavian ferries we went on back in the 90s. I can't imagine what they are like now! It's definitely worth it to get to Tassie. Its incredibly beautiful over here Peter, you have to come.
Traveled to Wellington from Picton on the Arahura in very heavy seas. Slammed into the waves in the Cook Strait. Many wide eyes and terror stricken features that day.
We have done the Spirit twice and absolutely loved it. Both times overnight. Also love Tassie. We plan to go back soon. Your Stanley Nut walk😂😂😂😂 I was the same😂
Omg that walk is brutal!! Full video of that will be up next week.
Interesting vlog Kirralee and Steve. Didn’t know you swingers were bloggers but I’m glad I found you. Catch you at the next rodeo. Best wishes Derek.
Wtf 😬
😂😂😂😂😂
Not sure who Kirralee and Steve are, but thanks I guess!! haha
Beautiful Tassie, just left, it's magic, Evandale and cockle creek were beautiful.
That’s the second person who’s mentioned cockle creek. We must add it to our itinerary!
If it's packed out, the Catamaram boat ramp area is also a good park up. About 3 klms back from cockle. Have a fantastic time.
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Two trips across to Tas including 1 return. Enjoyed them both except for a run, jump and dodge in order to avoid the projectile vomiting tourists from north of the equator in the ladies restroom. Bit of a heavy swell at 5am in the morning inducing a semi-controlled stagger with half-pike and tuck as i waltzed two cups of hot chocolate back to our seats. Very nice.
Went across last week. Booked a recliner but so much on the ship to do, I only used it for about an hour. I’d say a cabin would be a good idea for a night crossing.
That was nothing, we went across in our Ford Transit camper in 1978 on the old Empress of Australia, that thing had a pretty flat bottom, it was so rough that one of the chains securing the van broke and the fridge broke off it's mount, the whole ship smelt like vomit, fortunately we had a cabin and you couldn't smell it in there, I slept like a baby.
The best way to travel on the Spirit of Tasmania is to pay for a room on a night trip. Sleep in a comfortable bed, wake up in the morning, have a hot shower and put on clean clothes. Then head to the restaurant for breakfast and wait for the boat to dock. We did a day trip on the way to Tasmania and a night trip on the way back to mainland Australia. On both trips, we paid for a cabin. We are lucky neither my wife nor I suffer from seasickness.
Top video I just discovered your channel makes me want to start filming my motor bike travels what type of camera do you guys use to film
Hey Chris, we use a couple of different cameras, from a Sony A7iii, Canon G7x mkiii , a GoPro and a DJI Action 4. The DJI would be great for your motorbike stuff.
Done dozens of crossings, in all the ferries going back to the Abel Tasman in the 80's. Also, one crossing on the highspeed Seacat when it was operating. It's the luck of the draw WRT to sea conditions, been very lucky and have never had a bad crossing yet, always smooth, yet I know people who went on it once, copped the "Vomit Comet Ride through Hell" and will never set foot on it again. I always book an overnighter with a cabin, did the sleeper chair once and never again! Spend the money and get a cabin if you can.
My first was on the Taroona in 1956 - don't remember it but apparently that round bottom tub was a nightmare in any sea conditions :) I went on the Cat a few times, the Tassie terminal at George Town was only half a kilometer from Mum's house, and the crossing was awesome. I too did the chair once, and it's one of the worst experiences known to man. Haven't been on the crossing for a while since Mum passed away so no real need to visit Tassie any more. But would get a cabin and go overnight, any other way is masochism of the highest order, haha.
I still have memories of my year 9 school trip on whatever ferry they had on 1981. And those memories are not good!
@@nigelandsueadventures The Parable of the two villages comes to mind. The problem is not the ship.
That would have been the last days of the old yellow hulled Emperess of Tasmania, she was replaced by the Abel Tasman around 85 if my memories serve me correct. The old yellow boats were renowned for being moving vomitorium's.
@@user-sx4eh3ek7o My crossing from Melbourne on the Princess 30/6/1971 is still engraved in my mind. We had driven from Perth across the Nullabor so were keen to get some Tassie beer as soon as we cleared the heads by the requisite distance (was it 20 miles?) Only 3 people were not green by the time the barman opened up, and after we'd had enough beers it was off to the shower. That was memorable for almost no water and the ship rolling a good 15 degrees both ways..... The joys of what can be tolerated when young :)
Thanks for the information, I'm looking forward to when I get to do it with our caravan. One thing I haven't been able to find information on is are there showers available for anyone on the ship or do you have to book a cabin? Cheers Nicole
Hi Nicole, there are no showers except in the cabins. In a day sailing I paid $169 for a cabin, (on the return journey) which was the most expensive shower ever! Having said that, it was money well spent to have a bed, privacy and that shower!
@@nigelandsueadventuresThanks, brilliant info on the cabin. I think I will get a cheap cabin to. ❤
They mostly do night crossings only. During busy periods, they do day and night crossings.
Hard to get passage on a night crossing with a large vehicle!
@@nigelandsueadventures From May until Christmas, night crossing is the only option except for some day crossings during Sept school holidays. Daily day crossings during summer, less frequent during autumn. I know someone who works in that room at the front of the top level. Clearly, people don't like holidaying in Tassie other than during summer and early autumn.
true....
Thank you for sharing that. I’ve done the crossing a couple of times from Victoria and once when it used to go from Sydney. I was a kid. I especially remember the Sydney one and I was sick as a dog. 🤢 I’m with you Sue. Not a fan of the open ocean. No desire whatsoever to go on a cruise. My dog wouldn’t cope with the kennel situation either. So no trip to Tassie anytime soon. Tassie is beautiful though. 🤗💖
Oh gosh that would be awful all the way from Sydney!! I did a cruise once when my kids were really little. Hated it! Never again. Except maybe the one through the north west passage in Alaska. I’ll do that one.
We have travelled over at night several times and cabin was the way to go by far. Slept pretty much all night and at least your own showers
Can’t wait to do night sailing on the way back! Day was all that was available for the entire month we wanted to come over
hope you enjoyed your time in our beautiful state :) we live near to launceston :) i have been on the spirit of tas 4 times and i found it very boring. the first time there was live music, which was great, but the other three times there was none. each time we went we went of a night and only once had a cabin, the other times we had a recliner chair, i got no sleep either way. i lost internet reception 30 minutes into the jorney and didnt get it back till 2:30am, so it was a very long long night. i think i would actually rather go during the day :)
Thanks Debbie, we absolutely loved Tassie! 6 weeks wasn’t long enough. We will be back! I had a cabin on the way back (day sailing) it was so much better.
I always find it rough in the heads, but once you have flushed you come out feeling calmer.
Welcome to Tassie 😆
Thanks so much!!
How much did you have to pay for people tickets? Assuming you had to was it discounted with a vehicle ticket ?
Why the ferry changed from Port Melbourne to Geelong has got my beat, road is a bloody nightmare 😮😮
I loved it would go again and again but my daughter got seasick but you get over it, I must admit the only thing g is I complained about yellow pillows but no drama got clean ones but I had a great time on my own in the end. IT was a nice cabin.
Have completed the night crossing twice in cabins. Have had reasonable crossings twice, but once was shocking, with 7 metre waves. I do not get sea sick, but that night I was very sick. One other was a little rough, but it does cross bass straight.
It's a 12 hour ferry across the Bass Straight. As many Sydney to Hobart yatch racers can tell you, IT CAN BE ROUGH.
Travelled at night ,got a room slept well. Bit rough coming back lots of green faces in the morning ,we delighted in big cooked breakfast.
We like to cross during the day but we always book a cabin watch a movie and have a nap but I do tend to get seasick even on a smooth sailing 😢
It's so busy! I think we'll definitely try to book a cabin for a night sail so we can sleep, or at least get some peace and quiet...! I read recently that the new ships they are getting will have a section where the pets can be indoors, rather than out in the elements. That has got be so much better. Not sure if they will have pet friendly cabins or just a kennel area that's indoors...
I think the night sail would definitely be better!
If i remember correctly owners will be able to visit their pets during the voyage and get them out of the cage for a bit. Big improvement for the animals.
Dogs are left to drown in their cages in the event of water getting onto the car deck. I always smuggled my Westie up into my cabin.
Take a couple of pillows for the chairs and youll be more comfortable for the trip !
It’s a ferry crossing I’ve made many times. It’s hardly an adventure. A nice takeaway curry, a bottle of wine and my dog and I head to our cabin for our dinner and a good night’s sleep.
MMMM curry!!
@@nigelandsueadventures There are very good Indian restaurants close to the ferry, both in Devonport and Port Melbourne. My westie prefers raw chicken and a good bone with a bottle of fresh spring water.
hey Nige - what was the navigation app you were using?
Hey Jack it’s a subscription based app he uses for helicopter flying. Called Oz Runways.
We went to tassie in early November, and the crossing was very rough. The outside deck had to be closed as it was not safe to be there.
Oh I feel for you! Hope it’s not like that on our return trip!!
I crossed years ago with my family on the Empress and the Bosun came on the PA to inform us that we were in for a rough night and that the captain had elected to fly down and meet us there. It was rough.
We took this trip 20 years ago. Only overnight.. never again have had much more enjoyable trips from Brisbane to Tasmania via "Qantas". Hire vehicle on the other end. Happy days.
I think for a short trip that’s definitely the way to go. But when you add up the cost of car hire and motel/Airbnb over 6 weeks it would be crazy expensive! We spent $150 on accom for the entire 6 weeks, there’s so much free camping in Tassie. So, although the ferry wasn’t fun, it was worth it for 6 weeks of savings and awesomeness in Tassie. Thanks for watching!
We had the best trip there n back to the main land . no rough seas. You cant predicted the weather ⛈️☀️
Ain’t that the truth!! We’ve been blessed with good weather since arriving in Tassie, but I believe that is due to change tomorrow. We are loving it here!
Has it occurred to either of you that you may have a little bit of an alcohol problem?
It's a ship on the sea - nuff said!
The weather crossing Bass Strait is always a gamble as to whether you get a calm crossing or not. MUCH better to do a night one if you can. Go to sleep when you get to the heads, when it might get rougher, wake up when it calms down near Devonport. Always get a cabin night or day, and inside cabins are the best and cheapest, and you get your own bathroom. Another hint take your own pillow.
Nice video. There’s no way I’d do a day sail. A night sail with a cabin is the go, I loved it! A few alcoholic beverages before dinner at the boat’s restaurant followed be a few more alcoholic beverages before a nice shower then bed 😴 💤 bliss.
Haha that sounds like a good plan. If only it wasn’t so hard to get a night sailing with a big campervan!
We've just returned from Tasmania on the Spirit . Rough patches over and back . We had a deluxe cabin and although medicated my wife was sea sick both ways . The 4 hour wait in the car to get on in Geelong was painful . Coming back , boarding was a lot faster . We saw most of Tasmania with 5 fine days in the month we were there . Did not live up to our preconceived ideas . Nothing like England or the South Island of NZ . We're very disappointed and will never be back .
As someone who have made that trip a few times, once in the day time, at the time I did it the cinema was open all day and movies were free best seats on the whole boat, but like you 2 found it boarding. other times I when over night first time got recliner thats was the worst seat ever and not much sleep, the best part about going at night is you can sleep most of the trip ( if you can sleep ), other trip I shared a cabin with 4 other people of the same sex, better, got some sleep. the last few time I booked the whole cabin for myself ( yes it did cost a bit more but in the long run a lot better great night sleep, own shower and toilet. great to have a fresh shower in the morning. as for feeling sea sick yes I did get sick the first few time but found the cabins were the best as you did feel the waves as much.
We have been here for a month at Peggy's Beach Camp Ground, now just out of Stanley. Another 2 months left.
It’s so good here isn’t it?
Be sure to visit the Wynyard foreshore market.
How long prior did u book your ticket on the ferry, days weeks months years?
We initially booked in May for a night sailing but Nigel’s work roster changed, so we had to change the ticket in August. No night sailings available then!
If you're planning on bringing a vehicle and wanting a cabin, best to do it 6 - 8 months ahead. I've booked my sailing a week or so ago for the October dates I wanted - Night sailing, single 5.3m 4WD no trailer/roofracks, twin porthole cabin. The dates I picked didn't have many cabins left. They sell out pretty quickly, months ahead.
Are you going to sell your van after your adventure? Love to have a look
About 20 years ago I also crossed Bass strait on the ferry. It was 12 hrs of hell. We crossed in a storm we vomited until there was nothing left to throw up. What made it worse the toilet was blocked in our bathroom. If I was to do the crossing again I’d do it in the summer.
I feel for you! I crossed in 1981 on a school trip and still remember it. I'm not looking forward to the trip back, but Tasmania is so wonderful it makes it worth it!
I live in Tasmania and have been on the spirit (overnight) it was amazing I 100%recomend data didn't work in the cabin but I did really stay in the cabin I only slept there there was food options drinks
I think overnight is the best way to travel, but so hard to get a booking with a large vehicle!
Need to get that squeak sorted out on the passenger seat guys !😛
I remember doing that trip a gazillion years ago and I was seasick before even leaving Melbourne Bay......... I "walked" my way to Tassie. Could not sit could only walk.
Ugh I’m hoping it’s not like that when I go back !!
@@nigelandsueadventures Well I will tell you I did book a bunk on the overnight back........ I did not like it as it was an internal room BUT I did manage to rest at least. You will be fine... you have done it once so you know what to expect in a way. Look at a room for an overnight trip. HUGS and ENJOY Tassie. I would love to go back one day...
I did the trip a couple of months ago and travelled the night with a cabin... the only way to travel private room and comfortable.. worth the extra couple of dollars
Sadly we had to change our outbound sailing and there were only Day sailings available for a vehicle if our size. Travelling at peak time we didn’t have any choice. I reckon the night sailing will be much better! How long did you spend in Tassie?
@@nigelandsueadventures 3 weeks in Tassie, and loved it... on the plan to go back again someday.
I have done it twice now by motorbike and did the night sailing both times. On the first trip some idiot in Melbourne thought it would be a good idea to test the fire system then wash the residue off the vehicle decks with salt water which turned them very slippery. Vehicles were sliding all over the place and I dropped my bike. I was injured but the less I say about the response to my plight the better. The second trip was much better. One aspect I did find amusing were the number of people getting around a little bit green around the gills and of course getting into the booze and then a big feed and more booze all before we cleared Port Phillip Bay might have had something to do with that. The sweet perfume of the mal de mer sufferers hanging over the railing kind of ruined my evening stroll around the deck. I am surprised no one went into the drink. I did see a few white knuckles as they clung onto the railing like a limpet to a rock as the calls for " herb " echoed on the cool evening air. Other than my experience with the first crossing the second was a pleasure. The recliner was comfortable and the gentle rocking as we crossed bass Strait lulled me to sleep in no time. It is an experience and a very pleasant one.
You can get a shared with strangers cabin which is good value. Never ever use the recliners unless you can sleep in a chair.
I don't think that's an option anymore.. I don't recall seeing that as an option when I booked my passage for October 2024....? I believe they've discontinued that due to Covid?
We were lucky and had low swell and full sun coming over last week, it was lovely. Pity some have to put negative comments on but that’s the internet. We are at The Lea Bush Camp near Hobart if you come through, come say hi. We are camp hosting for a while before we track around Tas 👍🤓
Ah well, that’s their opinion, they are entitled to it, even if we aren’t!! Haha, just our honest review. Do you mean the Lea Scout camp (on wiki?)
Yes, we are camp hosts till end of season. Good fun, steep hill to climb but we towed our van up ok. Quiet, bush, close to Hobart and Kingston 👍🤓
Done the crossing dozens of times starting with the Princess ,which was so informal,you just needed a pillow and a blanket ,throw it down wherever and that was it,great,then the Abel Tasman came into service then you had to get a cabin and there was no informal blanket and pillow,didn’t like it ,then the Spirit and it was worse ,more rules
Our first trip we experienced very high seas, was terrible. Hate travelling on spirit, have done it many times. I eat, shower and go to bed.
I think that’s the best idea. Sadly we had to change our booking and there were no night sailings available!
@@nigelandsueadventures don’t forget to got from Devonport along the north west coast. Its beautiful. We lived there for 10 years.
@Sigrid333 we headed up to Stanley along the coast, that will be our next video. We loved it! Then we’ve travelled down the west coast. Tasmania is amazing!
I should point out when you say it's cheaper to fly, if you're staying a while and have a van as you do, you should take the accommodation and vehicle rental cost savings into account. If you just want transport across Bass Strait, then flying is cheaper. Also, you mention that 'that's what $30 gets you', which is a bit mi 14:19 sleading as you didn't fill your plate and there is more than you had. The time it takes us the time it takes, it is a lot faster than 40 years ago when it was scheduled for around 14 hours!
That’s very true. People suggested we fly and we said were coming for 6 weeks, so much cheaper to bring our home and not have to pay for vehicle hire or accommodation!! And yeah, I filled my plate with the amount I eat. Don’t want to chuck food away!! Last time I crossed was in 1981, I still have nightmares about that crossing too!!!
We crossed on January 1, the day before you, and it was super calm, unlike 4 years ago when big seas meant the spray was hitting the windows on deck 10. The Geelong terminal is much better than the previous one at Port Melbourne where a lack of space meant we were queued out of the port into the adjoining shops. Our dog came this time and survived 11 hours in a kennel with other dogs. They do have someone to care for the dogs. Dogs have to be wormed within 7 days of making the crossing and you have to produce proof to quarantine. Last time we were mainly on the West Coast, which is beautiful and remote, and camped in the Tarkine wilderness. You have to go to the End of the World, where the wind comes directly from Argentina, just to say you've actually been to the end of the world. We got kicked out when Covid hit and had to flee back to safety at Maleny in Qld before borders shut. This time we are on the East Coast and really enjoyed Freycinet. Camp at The Pondering Frog 12 ks out of town. Free camp with water, a cafe and ice creamery. We are at St Mary's and plan to explore the east, then head south and up the West Coast. Recommend Port Arthur, but be warned the history is shocking. Also Cradle Mountain, Gordon River cruises and Tarkine of course. Will keep an eye out for a big white van. If you see a white Defender towing an orange van that's probably us.
We will definitely look out for you! We've just been along the north west coast, through the Tarkine and down to Stanley. We are heading down to the south now. It's absolutely amazing and we absolutely love it! We will look out for you and please say Hi if you see us.
Spirit of Tasmania website says within 14 days for worming not 7
Well, if you elect to travel in the daytime, what do you expect?
With a vehicle the size of ours, the night crossings book out months in advance. We had to change our booking and the day sailing was all that was available.
Turn back time 18000 years and drive over directly. Without any water to bother.
If you value your peace, it’s a terrible trip. Pay for a cabin - day or night crossing - as somewhere to be away from all the kids, bogans and farting old men. And despite being ‘subsidised’ by the Tas government, it’s still way way too expensive. People I know have flown down to Hobart and rented a car for a week and it’s still cheaper than the Spirit. You can take all the prohibited food items on board - you just get marked for inspection at the other end, which usually ends up being just a wave through anyway.
Yeah I think for 6 weeks it works out cheaper to bring our van though. Will definitely have a cabin in the way back! The reading room wasn’t too bad. We wanted to experience the day sailing though!
Great, don’t give a shit about Tasmanian Biosecurity.
@@daggydiva4589 What’s your point.
We recently travelled on the Spirit to the mainland, I can honestly say that it was dreadful. 8m swells it was really frightening, I agree with you Sue I did not enjoy it one bit and neither did our 2 dogs, never er again.
I am pleased to say the trip back was much more pleasant. Even though it was another day sailing, I got a cabin.
Such a negative review. Your camper van is subsidized by the Australian Government built in to the cost of travel. The food scraps from your plate are not thrown overboard (corn Cob etc). The water to clean your plate and toilet refuse is strictly treated to international MARPOL regulations (MARine POLution). The price of food just doesn't stop after it's cooked. The gas bottle comes under IMDG code.. (International Maritime Dangerous Goods). Go and open a bottle of gas in the designated smoking area! There has been faster vessels doing the crossing but increased speed requires more fuel so higher costs. SPOT 1 and SPOT 2 (Spirit Of Tasmania 1 & 2) burn around 500,000,000 litres (each) of fuel a week. Kudos to the crew who navigate and keep the machinery working and clean up the sea sick mess. By the way these people do the same job of a night when on a night crossing and passengers sleep. Why cant you do a positive review instead of this rubbish.
What a chad🗿
I’ve traveled during the day and overnight on and off since 2 003. I actually prefer day trips. Once you are actually on Bass Strait, it can be pretty boring. I always take a book. The coffee is pretty ordinary, but on the whole its ok. Beds are pretty ordinary. Prices have escalated over the last 12 months.
Yes I believe the prices have gone up, and availability is very tight too, especially with a large vehicle.
It’s got to be better than swimming it
To be fair, that's not really what $30 gets you food wise on the Spirit...you should have been a bit more open as to what was available, not just what you chose, and the fact that you can put as much or as little as you like on your plate....There is a reasonable selection of food, and a good quantity if you choose.
You said the crossing was awful. What I saw on your video was a beautifully appointed ship and a smooth crossing. What exactly was awful about it other than the obvious factor that it takes 10 hours ? If you can't amuse yourselves for 10 hours, you would have been better off to do a night sailing.
If only it was easy to book a night sailing with a large (tall) vehicle!! We should have mentioned that we had to change our sailing (we originally booked a night sailing - booked in May for a January sail) because Nigel's work roster changed. We tried to change the return to a night sailing, but they were booked out months in advance.
Hello, is Nigel from NZ? 😊
He most certainly is! Although he’s at least 3/4 Aussie looking at his parents and grandparents, has an Aussie passport and has lived here 15 years. That’s Sue’s story. Nigel’s is he’s a kiwi through and through!!!