Spirit of Tasmania: Can I take the ferry to Tasmania?

It is possible to take a ferry to Tasmania from Melbourne. The Spirit of Tasmania departs every night – with some day crossings – for Devonport on Tasmania’s north coast. Spirit of Tasmania departure times are a little inconsistent, however.

The Spirit of Tasmania ferry feels like an antiquated option. Most visitors to Tasmania are going to arrive via a domestic flight to Hobart or Launceston. But there is another, slower option for getting to the biggest island in Australia.

It’s possible to take a ferry to Tasmania from Melbourne, Victoria. The Spirit of Tasmania ferry leaves most nights, departing from Port Melbourne on Port Phillip Bay. In 2022, the Victorian departure port for the ferries to Tasmania is due to switch from Port Melbourne to Corio Quay in Geelong.

Spirit of Tasmania ferry to Devonport

The Spirit of Tasmania arrives in Devonport on Tasmania’s north coast the next morning. There are also some Melbourne to Tasmania ferry day sailings, but these don’t take place on a daily basis.

Be under no illusion that taking the ferry to Tasmania is the most convenient way of getting to the island state. It takes just over three hours to drive from Devonport to Hobart, the Tasmanian capital. That’s on top of the nine to eleven hour journey time from Melbourne to Devonport.

Ferry to Tasmania: Spirit of Tasmania departure times

The Spirit of Tasmania’s departure times and journey durations are bafflingly inconsistent. The night departure can be as early as 6.30pm and as late as 10.30pm. Melbourne to Devonport ferry journeys are quicker – nearer the nine hour mark – on the days with two sailings.

You also need to factor in check-in time. Check in opens between 1.5 hours and 2.5 hours before departure, but closes strictly 45 minutes before the scheduled departure time. A range of cabins is available on board, from cramped four bed efforts to deluxe private cabins. There’s also a restaurant and a series of bars.

Activities for passing the time while crossing the Bass Strait include two cinema screens, a children’s play area and an arcade-style game zone. Wi-Fi is available in all public areas, but not in the cabins.

Ferry to Tasmania: Fares

Fares for the Melbourne to Tasmania depend on how busy the service is, whether you’re bringing a car and what accommodation you choose. The absolute basic one way fare, that doesn’t even give you a reserved seat, costs from $89. You then get to add $39 for a reserved reclining chair, $70 for a bunk bed in a shared single-sex cabin or $119 for a four bed cabin to yourself. It’s from $369 for the deluxe private cabin.

Taking a car on the Spirit of Tasmania will usually set you back another $99. Alternatively, just hire a car in Devonport.

The journey around Sri Lanka-sized Tasmania is best undertaken in the summer months, when the Tasmanian weather is better. Once there, why not check out underrated wine regions, stay where Roald Amundsen stayed on his return from Antarctica and visit Wineglass Bay.

More Tasmania travel

Stay in Hobart’s historic centre at the Vibe Hotel Hobart.

Taste pinot noir on a sheep farm at the Milton Vineyard in Swansea.

Go trout fishing in Lake Burbury near Queenstown.