Across the Bass Straight to Tasmania

3rd February 2018

The Spirit of Tasmania leaves port at 9.30 am this morning and we have received a text message to arrive at the port early, as there is a cruise ship alongside and traffic is expected to be congested. As we are only around 25 minutes from the port, we were packed and on our way at 7 am, in relatively light traffic.

Arriving at the port, there is some traffic, but not quite as much as expected, but there is already a fair line up to get the cars on board the ship.

Line up to board Spirit of Tasmania. The cruise ship Noordam is directly ahead on the right hand side of the dock

An hour later, we are getting closer

It took more than an hour and a half to get all of the vehicles on board, and subsequently, we were delayed by around 40 minutes in departing from Melbourne. The cruise ship did not appear to contribute to the delay, just a very primitive check in procedure that could be easily speeded up.

Once on board, the ship was very comfortable and the weather is looking perfect for crossing the Bass Straight. There is a light SE breeze and bright sunshine.

The is plenty of seating and a few dining options and bars

It took a little over 2 hour to get to the entrance of Port Phillip Bay, before we entered the Bass Straight, into pretty flat water.

Heading along the channel on the Eastern side of the bay, approaching the turn to starboard to head to the entrance

Passing Point Lonsdale Lighthouse and entering Bass Straight

The trip across Bass Straight was very smooth and uneventful, arriving at Devonport at 7.45 pm, which was 45 minutes late. The entrance to the river at Devonport is pretty narrow, but the captain did it with ease and reversed into our dock to unload the vehicles. The offloading process, thankfully, was quicker than the loading but not without issues as people forgot where their cars were.

Backing into our dock at Devonport

By the time we were off the ship and at our motel in Devonport (only 10 minutes away), it was 8.30 pm, and a number of others off the ship appear to be staying at the same place. The check in was busy and the restaurant officially closes at 9 pm.

Suffice to say, the restaurant was full sand still taking orders after 9 pm, mostly from people who has just arrived from the ship.