Get into the Spirit

COMMENT

Like the influx of cheap imported campers or threats to free camping, few topics fire up the RV faithful more than the cost of taking a caravan or motorhome to Tasmania from the mainland on the Spirit of Tasmania ferry.

Comments from online forums and newspaper reports along the lines of grey nomads being ‘ripped off’ by the State-owned ferry service are typical, with some threatening to boycott Tasmania altogether and put the money saved towards more travel time on the mainland.

But are the extra costs of getting your RV across Bass Strait justified, given the many delights in store for RV tourers on the Apple Isle?

It’s true the two Spirit of Tasmania ferries offer a premium service, with fares rising during peak periods as demand rises for limited ‘big rig’ spaces and crossings booked out weeks in advance.  

On a recent family trip to Tasmania, the cost all up was around $2500, including $1300 return for our tow vehicle and caravan, and another $1200 return for a four-berth ensuite cabin.

Caravanners get the short straw as towable vehicles are not covered under the Federal Government’s Bass Strait Passenger Vehicle Equalisation Scheme, which provides rebates of up to $408 for cars, tow vehicles and motorhomes. Our Bailey caravan also snuck into the more expensive ‘over 2.5m high’ category, putting us on the same storage deck as large freight trucks.

It meant the cost of transporting our 12.5m long rig was almost twice that of an 8.0m motorhome, or around six times more than a solitary car on the same boat.

Of course, canny travellers can potentially shave hundreds of dollars off their fares by travelling outside the busy December-January period, booking well in advance, or taking the cheaper, less comfy option of an overnight recliner, or a day cruise when available.

Spirit of Tasmania also offers discounts for frequent travellers, large groups and pensioners,  as well as regular special deals like this one if you’re willing to brave some chilly winter weather.

Despite sailing during the ‘peak’ period of December, the decks weren’t full on either of our crossings. We counted only a few caravans (most with Queensland rego plates) on the Melbourne-Devonport leg, and mostly cars (and just one caravan), on the return leg just before Christmas.

Certainly, we couldn’t complain about the on-board experience. Apart from an hour or so either side waiting in the queue before boarding, the one way ‘roll on, roll off’ boarding procedure was orderly and stress free.

Although we’d heard tales of big seas and rough rides, both 10 hour overnight crossings of the 429km passage were relatively smooth, putting us well rested and back on the road just after 7am.

Though small, our private porthole cabin was clean, comfortable and equipped with a handy ensuite. With a touch of ‘Fairstar Funship’, the upper decks offered plenty of opportunity for pre- or post dinner lounging, with bars, TVs and a range of family and adult entertainment including a pokie machine room, games arcade and movie theatre.

We enjoyed a delicious, a la carte meal in the upmarket Leatherwood restaurant, but there were cheaper options like the $25-a-plate, self-serve hot and cold buffet.

We also got some handy advice and purchased the must-have national parks vehicle pass at the helpful, onboard travel information centre.

Topping off the user-friendly experience is the Spirit of Tasmania website, with online booking and availability calendar to help with planning your trip and ensuring the best deal.

Despite the negative publicity, and competition from cheaper airfares into Tasmania and sharp motorhome rental deals, it’s clear the ferry service remains popular. Although numbers dropped off recently according to the latest annual report, with around 28,000 fewer passengers and 9000 fewer vehicles in 2012/13 than the previous year.

So is it worth it? Yes, although extending your stay a month or more makes it easier to justify. It’s something most visitors already appreciate, with Tasmania's Tourism Minister Scott Bacon recently reporting an average stay of 35 days for those travelling with a caravan.

During our trip we met one Queensland family towing a camper trailer on a six week 'lap', while another motorhoming couple was back for their second, three month-plus Tassie tour.

While we stayed in caravan parks (at an average cost of around $50 for a powered site), opting to use the many free or cheap campsites available around the state would go some way to recouping ferry costs; not to mention fuel savings from relatively short distances between towns and attractions.

Our advice if you’re still umming and ahhing... Give it a go and take your time over there – you won’t regret it.