[category]
[title]
If you’re heading to Tazzie this summer, your journey might be getting an upgrade. This Saturday (October 31), two shiny new Spirit of Tasmania ships – Spirit of Tasmania IV and Spirit of Tasmania V – will start sailing across the Bass Strait, and from what we can tell, they’ll be pretty damn luxe. Both of the next-gen boats have been designed to carry more passengers and vehicles, while making the roughly 10-hour journey between Geelong and Devonport more comfortable. Here's what to exepct.
According to the team at The Spirit of Tasmania, the new vessels will retain the OG’s signature red colour scheme – but with a refreshed design featuring sweeping curves along the hull and funnel, plus a contemporary logo inspired by the ship’s bow against a blue sea and sky. They’re also seriously big. Each ship measures 212 metres long and 31 metres wide, with a gross tonnage of 48,000. There’s capacity for up to 1,800 passengers, 301 cabins and 4,098 lane metres of vehicle space, meaning more room for cars, motorhomes and other vehicles travelling between the mainland and Tasmania.
In addition to the 301 cabins, there are 118 standard recliners and 47 business recliners for travellers who prefer a seat rather than a full room for the 9-12 hour journey. And if you’re planning to bring your doggo along for a Tasmanian road trip, there’s good news: the new ships will feature pet-friendly cabins alongside climate-controlled kennels. Under the bonnet, each ship is powered by four Wärtsilä nine-cylinder, turbocharged dual-fuel engines, rated at 10,305kW each. The hefty ships have an average speed of 26 knots, equivalent to around 48.2km/h.
For the uninitiated, the crossing between Geelong and Devonport covers approximately 448 kilometres, or 242 nautical miles, and takes around 9.5 to 11.5 hours, depending on the sailing. For a lot of Victorians, the ferry is a practical option for a Tasmanian getaway without the need to hire a car on arrival or squeeze everything into airline luggage limits. You can bring your own vehicle, pack the hiking boots and surfboards, and start exploring as soon as you reach the other side. And with the flash new Spirit of Tasmania IV and V joining the fleet, the crossing will start getting a whole lot more comfy.
You can learn more and book your Tassie escape over here.
Stay in the loop: sign up for our free Time Out Melbourne newsletter for the best of the city, straight to your inbox.