Onboard Spirit of Tasmania

15 March 2015

We found our way to Station Pier, the departure point for the Spirit of Tasmania, easily and joined the queue for the ferry. First you queue to go through the quarantine check. Fresh fruit, vegetables, fish and fish products are prohibited and must be surrendered. Loose gas bottle must also be handed in here, to be collected on arrival in Devonport. We also noticed the people in front of us handing in what looked like hunting knives, so presume weapons must also be surrendered. The quarantine officers were very thorough, checking the esky and drawers in the back of the car. 

From this queue you move the queue to check in - handing over your booking confirmation at a booth and receiving your boarding passes and cabin keys (if you have booked on). From there you join the queue to board. All this takes some time but is carried out very efficiently with staff providing directions throughout. Once on board it is essential that you take everything you might need for the journey as the vehicle decks are locked prior to departure.

On deck 7 as the ship pulls away from Station Pier on a grey and windy Melbourne morning.

We had loaded up our backpacks with laptops, cameras and other items, and found out cabin, We had booked one with a porthole. Cabins also have a small bathroom, as well as a desk and power points. Once settled we made our way to the Lavender Cafe for coffee, then it was off to explore. Our cabin was on the main deck (7) so we had easy access to the shop, tourism centre, cafe and cinema.

The journey was uneventful, and quite calm (considering the reputation of the Bass Strait). It is worth getting a cabin - we were able to leave all our gear when we ventured out, and it also allowed an afternoon nap - very much enjoyed after our early start.

Australasian Gannet.

Albatross. I'm not sure which species.

The clouds cleared and the wind dropped so I though I'd have a go at photographing some pelagic species from the deck. There were good numbers of birds to be seen but always just a little too far to get a good shot. The above shots are heavily cropped. Mick.

We arrived in port at Devonport at about 6.40pm and waited for our car deck to be called. From them is was a bit of a wait to disembark, and then collect our gas bottle. It had been a long day and we were glad to be making our way to daughter Julia's house in Devonport which would be out Tasmanian base.