There is high season - summer, they run a day sail from 1st December till end February. Low season is winter - and cheaper then, because a lot of places could be snowed in, and it can be bl.......y cold down there.

Go on the web for the official Spirit site - you can do dummy tickets, adding whether you want a cabin, or just sit up in the recliners - fiddle with the dates t ill you get it right - don't forget to tick the appropriate boxes if you are pensioner or CMCA member - you get a discount.

We are planning on going to Tassie for 3 weeks in May/June but flying and renting a car. We are a bit perplexed that accomodation rates are only reduced by 10% or so for winter when basically no one goes there (tell someone you're going to Tassie in June and they say you're crazy). We looked at holiday houses in the sub $200 p/n region and find those that are $180 in the high season only drop to $160 in the off season. Motels do not drop at all. Caravan parks are similar and I just checked big 4 who offer 10% off for June as against Feb.
Car rentals offer no discounts for winter either plus I've emailed Avis, thrifty and Budget to ask their insurance waiver rates and none have answered.
Bottom line is we wonder if it worth going down there at all.

Regards

Hako - yep - you do wonder about these outfits....are they so busy in the high season that they really don't want any guests in winter? That sort of attitude is little business syndrome - wont grow if you don't meet market requirements. Obviously the large car renters can afford to slow down as they have 1000s of outlets here and overseas.

However, you often find that if you phone the places you want to stay at and say very nicely that you would stay there for X number of nights if they could sharpen their pencil, they will. Some will say no, others will say yes as the better ones prefer to provide better customer service by employing local permanents who they need to pay 52 weeks of the year, rather than the others who go for casuals and packpackers and get rid of them all in the low season

We went to Tassie last year with 2 couples, one 85 the other in their mid 70's, & had a great time, we had our trusty 4.2TDI Patrol & new 22'6 van.
Its called the shoulder season ( I think that's what they call it) & started 15 Feb. 2015 that's the day we left, this was before the ship was renovated, we didn't bother with a cabin or ocean recliner, just wondered around most of the day, we played rock' n 'roll bingo, it passed the time. we had a great time at the World penny Farthing races at Evandale & also at Steam fest in Sheffield, both not to be missed. free camps are great just do the right thing & you should be left alone, I caught a rented motor home empting their gray water into a beautiful creek at Scottsdale one of the nicest free camps I have seen, better than some caravan parks & most showgrounds & they were most indignant when I said something to them.
The people are really polite so always say please & thanks.
GOD BLESS & Happy Trails
Jay

I forgot to mention, we went on Sunday morning so there's not a lot of trucks about, parking restrictions ended at midnight when we went so I would line up after 12.00 midnight & wait & have a snooze in the car or van, we stayed at the worst caravan park I have ever been to in Melbourne & we are members of the group, it wasn't that far away from the docks.
DO A RECKIE run into the docks & check it out the day before if you can, & be careful with the GPS directions if you have a van on, best is to get a map & plan it from there.

There is no shoulder season these days. There was when we went over a few years ago. Also the change over from the high season is slipping back. 12 years ago it was 28th of January This year we had to wait until 14th of January for the low season to start. In addition the April school holiday period is High season so watch that.

These days you can not book or find out prices more than 12 months ahead. Currently you can not book a trip in February 2017.

Just an observation from a Tasmanian resident... There is no real high or low rates/seasons for coming to Tas. Queenslanders come down in the winter to experience the snow. Some come to Tas during the trout fishing months. Others come in the Summer to enjoy the long summer days. Every month is worth coming to Tas. Many come here to buy a rental or retire. If the price of the Spirit of Tas was to reduce bookings would be out to 24 months instead of current 3 months. If you want to make it easier to come to Tas find another X million dollars for more RORO ships, or is it DODO. LOL