hi everyone, would those people who have been on the spirit of Tasmania tell me what time of year you travelled and the price for a car and caravan. I find their site difficult and want to know when is the cheapest time to travel to and from.. thanks.
We went over on 1 November last year and came back on 6th March this year. We have a motorhome, with bikes and bulbar it is 7.5 m in length. Height is 3.3m. Cost us $667 return, we used the "Ocean Recliners", and also the pensioner discount. On talking to others - I reckon the average 17ft van plus tow vehicle would be between $1500 and $2000 return - cabin prices vary. There is so much free or low cost camping in Tassy, you can save heaps of money by using them, rather than caravan parks on a regular basis. A lot of free camps are listed on this site under "free/budget camping" - and most are in the Camps Book -
I don't think the site is that difficult - there are a couple of sites, but the "official" one is the one to use - just have your lengths and heights with you, as well as your pension card (if applicable) - and choose some dates - It is always dearer in the high season - from 1 December to end January, as well as Easter, school holidays etc.
Nothing on the site is set in concrete until you pay with your credit card, so you can just fiddle and change things to suit till you get what you want. Just take it slow, read everything - also do a search on here for "Spirit of Tasmania", lots of info comes up!!!
A great place to visit - if you haven't been to Tassy, you haven't seen Australia!
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jules "Love is good for the human being!!" (Ben, aged 10)
This all depends on when you are going, and believe me it also depends on if any big event is on over there, They can extend the high season to from December until well after Easter.
We have just booked another trip over for 27th Jan, but I did my home work and it is much cheaper for the two of us to fly/ drive. We are only there for a month and for seven days of that we do not need the motor home due to us doing the Franklin River Camping&Rafting Adventure Trip. so we only need the motor home for three weeks. The fly/drive price came to well under half the price if we took our own set up. And the other bonus is it gives you a few extra days in Tassie as it is only a bit over an hr from Melbourne, where it is 12hrs on the spirit and that is not counting the time to load and unload your vehicle. To get any sort of value taking your own vehicle and van you need to be organized to at least stay over there for at least three months I recon.
I have just booked on the Spirits web site for our trip in January, leaving on the 26th (Aust Day) going over will be a day trip and return in March will be a night trip with a cabin all up it cost me $2109.00 that's with insurance of $48 we have a Toyota Landcruiser towing a 9.1mtr van (they need the length of the whole van from spare wheel to front of tow hitch). Yes it is expensive and the other couple who are travelling with us and are towing a 6.4mtr van cost them $1586.00 (Pensioner Rate) I did not get pensioner rate (self funded retiree) but considering we are towing a larger rig compared to the other couple coming with us I suppose that OK well, it has to be as there is no other way of getting there. We will be over in Tassie for 51 days so $41.35 per day for having my own transport and accommodation. With the amount of free camps it should turn out to be a good holiday.
The Spirit web site I found easy to use just take your time and make sure you have all of your measurements. You never know we might see you over there if you are travelling at the same time as us.
Forgot to mention also a lot of the free camps that were around last year are now turned into low cost camping
due to the park owners not happy regarding them.
-- Edited by herbie on Thursday 29th of August 2013 03:09:38 PM
MMMM Herbie dam caravan parks thinking they have the God dam right to force us into parks, what next, the big chain supermarkets telling us where we have to shop??how often have you heard of that. Anyway might see you over there will be in Tassi from the 26th Jan til 17th March.
thanks everyone. we have been before and found fly/drive cheaper for two weeks. but the fuel cost of towing a caravan from qld and back and pay that price for the boat, it is still cheaper to fly/drive. might even be cheaper to fly and buy a cheap car to use there and maybe drive home. lots of options and it seems the boat is the least favourable to us. if it were cheaper, we would be there in a shot and stay for months. never mind. thanks everyone. and for those who are there or heading there; enjoy.
They have got much more expensive since the last time I checked.
Without trailer it is $403 return with ocean recliner, with trailer it is $1042 an additional $319.50 each way just for the trailer!!! December 2013 to March 2014.
They have this option called 'Red Hot Deal' it makes it a lot cheaper, although they don't tell you what dates this occurs on, you just have to muck with it until you get it right, I got it on the way over trip but haven't struck for return as yet. This brought the price down to $926, I looked through there booking dates to see which fall on low demand and even adding that on the return I couldn't get the RHD both ways, maybe they are only generous enough to give it to you on one leg of the return trip.
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Stewart www.vkportable.com.au www.forums.vkportable.com.au
Forgot to mention also a lot of the free camps that were around last year are now turned into low cost camping
due to the park owners not happy regarding them.
-- Edited by herbie on Thursday 29th of August 2013 03:09:38 PM
Its bad information like this that causes problems, there are thousand of free camping spots in Tassie and some legal ones within 200 metres of caravan parks and they coesist nicely
Car and trailer costs an arm and a leg. Hopefully this might change after the coming election. A Motorhome up to 7 meters goes at the same rate as a car. Height doesn't determine cost. It is so the ship loaders know where to place you on board. I usually pay around $84 for my 6 meter MH and around $90.00 for Ocean Recliners. You can call 1800 634 906 free except from a mobile phone, and ask for season dates, high and low season. When I'm in Australia I live in Tassie, so I travel regularly. If you are a member of CMCA, you get a discount but I find the Pensioner's discount is better than CMCA. During high season there
are 2 sailings a day in each direction, one in the morning, one at night. Promos come up from time to time, so keep an eye on the website
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Retired Airline Pilot and Electrician..
I'm not old, I've just been young a long time....Ken
Since light travels faster than sound, some people appear bright until you hear them speak.
Forgot to mention also a lot of the free camps that were around last year are now turned into low cost camping
due to the park owners not happy regarding them.
-- Edited by herbie on Thursday 29th of August 2013 03:09:38 PM
Its bad information like this that causes problems, there are thousand of free camping spots in Tassie and some legal ones within 200 metres of caravan parks and they coesist nicely
cheers
blaze
We're with you Blaze - of 135 days in Tassie (Nov - March 2013) we only stayed in 2 caravan parks - one of those was the Hobart Showgrounds to get service on motorhome! The rest was either low cost or free - some fantastic spots - all listed in the "free/budget campsites" sub forum on this site!!!
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jules "Love is good for the human being!!" (Ben, aged 10)
I understand there is a lot of free/low cost camping still in Tasmania,but just like all other states in Oz they are disappearing slowly some of note are Teds Beach/Westbury/O'neils Creek/Black River near Stanley Arthurs Lake Area/Cowpaddock Bay.These all used to be free when we were there last. I would like to see all free camps out lawed and low cost camps put into place.
We'd love to visit Tassie again but find the Spirit of Tasmania site totally hopeless and confusing as per the OP. Also what frustrates me is that Big Gorilla says "I usually pay around $84 for my 6 meter MH and around $90.00 for Ocean Recliners." whilst Jules says "Cost us $667 return", and then others say "Without trailer it is $403 return ". Why such a discrepancy of prices not in the high season.
We just want to visit Tasmania with our Avan....we don't want to play the stockmarket and try and pick the winner and then find if we'd looked 'here' or 'there' we could have saved $1000. The result is we probably will not take our van and will fly/drive because we can easily ascertain the costs and know we are paying what other people are paying and not have that feeling that we paid too much.
I've been trying to "sell" my partner on selling the van, and buying a motorhome. One of my arguments was that we would save money on the fare on the Tassie Ferry! I wasn't born blonde but ...
I booked this morning to travel Devonport to Melbourne one way on March 18, 2014. MH (6 meters) was $94.00, up $10.00 from last trip, and $90.00 for Ocean Recliner. Total $184.00.
I think the Spirit might work on the same basis as the budget airlines. Jetstar will advertise a fare Launceston to Melbourne for $39.00. But not all seats in the aircraft are $39.00, maybe about 6 seats. After they are sold, the price goes up and up until day before the flight you can pay up to $400.00 one way. I'm not saying Spirit does this, but if there is such a big discrepancy in the prices at the same time of year, it's a possibility. As you can see by my booking, if I know when I want to travel well in advance, I book early.
-- Edited by Big Gorilla on Tuesday 3rd of September 2013 08:09:09 AM
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Retired Airline Pilot and Electrician..
I'm not old, I've just been young a long time....Ken
Since light travels faster than sound, some people appear bright until you hear them speak.
We'd love to visit Tassie again but find the Spirit of Tasmania site totally hopeless and confusing as per the OP. Also what frustrates me is that Big Gorilla says "I usually pay around $84 for my 6 meter MH and around $90.00 for Ocean Recliners." whilst Jules says "Cost us $667 return", and then others say "Without trailer it is $403 return ". Why such a discrepancy of prices not in the high season.
We just want to visit Tasmania with our Avan....we don't want to play the stockmarket and try and pick the winner and then find if we'd looked 'here' or 'there' we could have saved $1000. The result is we probably will not take our van and will fly/drive because we can easily ascertain the costs and know we are paying what other people are paying and not have that feeling that we paid too much.
Hako - it all comes down to how long your rig is - that is car and whatever you are towing - we have a motor home, not towing, and 7.5m in total length - if you read all the blurb on the web site it gives you the sizing details - we were in the 7.1 - 8.1m range hence our cost. So - between 7.1 and 8.1 the cost should be the same. Of course the high season or low season come into it - we left Melbourne on 1 November, and returned on 6 March - outside the high season pricing.
As Big Gorilla says - book early - and his motorhome is classed as a "car" being under the 7.1m barrier. Also if you are a pensioner, you get a discount on your choice of either seating or cabin. Daytime sailings are only through the high season - and naturally you will pay more then.
Go through the website carefully - read everything - pick some dates you would like to travel - make up a dummy booking (not concrete till paid for) - ticking all boxes required - take your time - it is a great place to visit, and there are heaps of places to see, and things to do!!!
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jules "Love is good for the human being!!" (Ben, aged 10)
I understand there is a lot of free/low cost camping still in Tasmania,but just like all other states in Oz they are disappearing slowly some of note are Teds Beach/Westbury/O'neils Creek/Black River near Stanley Arthurs Lake Area/Cowpaddock Bay.These all used to be free when we were there last. I would like to see all free camps out lawed and low cost camps put into place.
herbie - O'Neills Creek is still open - we had a great time there!! And as for saying that free camps should be "outlawed" - what an obnoxious comment - do you realise that a lot of local Tasmanians frequent these camps? Have been doing so for over 30 years some of them - to charge them now would cause quite an uproar!!! You seem to be a well travelled person, do you always stay in caravan parks - what about some of the "free" camps you have put forward as good spots? Don't you stay there yourself???
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jules "Love is good for the human being!!" (Ben, aged 10)
Hi Jules, sorry if I upset you in my post regarding my thoughts on free camping in Tasmania, the reason I think it would be better to close free camping in Tasmania and turn these magic places into low cost camping is a win/win
for all concerned. Tasmania is one of the true places in the world where there is so much to offer the traveller, but I ask how much longer can it go on for. If we all payed a low cost camping fee to use these places it would help to keep them open.
Tasmania is such a small state with a small population and un employment is high.Some people even go as far as saying it is broke...Paying a fee to camp in places over there is not a very big price to pay to keep the up keep on these camping areas open.
These places to camp have to be kept in a reasonable condition other wise people just will not camp there,and to do that user should pay,not the locals due to us wanting a cheap holiday.
And I am sorry but from when you were last at O'Neills the ball game has changed and it is user pay .
All the other areas I mentioned in my earlier post have now become user pay as well.
I am for free camping but that freedom is being taken away from us due to a number of factors.
So unless we start to contribute to these places we will lose them for ever.
In my time living/working and just been the tourist over there I can see the effect all this is having on the good of this beautiful state,and it sure as hell is not improving it.
You are not wrong Herbie. Unfortunately Tasmania is the basket case of Australia and you right in saying "Tasmania is one of the true places in the world where there is so much to offer the traveler".
I posted this article when it first came out, perhaps it's time to read it again.
Thanks for posting the link, yes it is well worth a read.
I am just so passionate about Tasmania and just feel, in a blink of an eye it could be all taken away from the way we know it today...So if paying a fee to keep it the way it is I do not think it is such a big price to pay.
As for the locals going to O'Neills for 30 odd years maybe this kind of behaviour has turned this beaut place into a user pay camp now.
I also think if people are made to pay it keeps locals rates going into things more important than going to pay to clean up after some of the pigs that frequent these beautiful places..
The people who complain about paying a small fee are always the one's who complain when these places are closed and have no choice other than to use caravan parks all the time.
There is a place for low cost and caravan parks to work side by side in a area, but only if we are all prepared to give and take a little. My views only I know I may be starting a barrage of insults but I stand by my beliefs.
Of course there is a place for caravan parks as well as free/low cost camping - all we are asking for is the choice - and we don't mind paying a small fee at a "free camp" - if we are getting something for our money - i.e. toilets, some water, maybe a picnic shelter . One of the problems all over the place is that some caravan park owners or managers believe they should get all the custom - and personally as an older couple we do not want to pay for jumping castles, playgrounds, etc. All we want is clean amenities, a laundry (reasonably priced), power and water, all at a cost that is affordable to all.
Have noticed a few "Self Contained RV or Motorhome" stopover areas recently - one we stayed at in QLD was $6 night - no facilties at all!! Another, not far away was free, but you had to register at Visitors Centre - had dump point and rubbish bins!
As to "the pigs" who sometimes frequent these spots - I don't believe we could class many of the older generation like this, I see some of the older generation (including myself) pick up rubbish and putting it in bins where provided!!!! Don't often see the younger generation doing this!!
Herbie - not meaning to denigrate your post - but it was a big of a generalisation and to say that "free" camps should be outlawed is a bit of a silly statement, and I took objection to it!!!!
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jules "Love is good for the human being!!" (Ben, aged 10)
Have noticed a few "Self Contained RV or Motorhome" stopover areas recently - one we stayed at in QLD was $6 night - no facilties at all!! Another, not far away was free, but you had to register at Visitors Centre - had dump point and rubbish bins!
I stayed at the CP at Ouyen, Vic, last year. They had a very large flat area at the rear of the property for self contained RV or MH. Cost was $5.00 a nite and included access to laundry etc. My memory fails me on this point, but I think a dump point was installed.
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Retired Airline Pilot and Electrician..
I'm not old, I've just been young a long time....Ken
Since light travels faster than sound, some people appear bright until you hear them speak.
That is the sort of thing that is needed BG - no need for power, just water availability, laundry and shower facilities, dump point and rubbish tins.
$5 night is a good price - we are at Point Lowly in SA (just north of Whyalla) at $5 night - toilets, cold shower, water, rubbish tins, picnic shelters and a nearby dump point.
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jules "Love is good for the human being!!" (Ben, aged 10)
That is the sort of thing that is needed BG - no need for power, just water availability, laundry and shower facilities, dump point and rubbish tins. $5 night is a good price - we are at Point Lowly in SA (just north of Whyalla) at $5 night - toilets, cold shower, water, rubbish tins, picnic shelters and a nearby dump point.
Hi Jules. I'm at my home in the Philippines so I don't have access to my trip records, maps etc.. But just north of you is a little town called SEDAN. I think it's in S.A. Very small with a lot of history, especially older residences. Hotel there, parking in rear yard with water & power only $5.00. Just buy a couple of beers and maybe a counter lunch. It must be in Camps 7 but it is in CMCA Handbook. Well worth a look if in the area......Ken.
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Retired Airline Pilot and Electrician..
I'm not old, I've just been young a long time....Ken
Since light travels faster than sound, some people appear bright until you hear them speak.
We travelled from Mid North Coast NSW to Tasmania for 3 weeks several years ago (loved Tassie more than I thought I would) and took our car and caravan, paid the ferry costs, and still thought it was worth the cost. We travelled with our portable home (bed, linen, kitchen, bathroom etc) and that means a lot to us. Stayed in caravan parks except for one night.
We are booked to go again in Jan 2014 but this time for 3 months - getting excited!
Herbie & Big Gorilla, you seem to know Tassie well and respect this most special and beautiful part of Australia
We were looking at details on camp sites, free and low cost, and some had that you had to be 'self contained'. Does this mean you have to have a grey water tank for you shower/washing up water to stay in these spots?
'about to become a grey nomad'
Trish
Hi Trish and welcome. I live in Launceston when I'm in Australia, which is about 8 months of the year, less 3 or 4 months I tour the mainland in my MH. Yes, self contained means you must have grey water tanks. Camps 7 is a very helpful guide for the whole of Australia, inc. of course, Tasmania. Check out the "Search" area of the Forum. There are numerous postings on travelling in Tasmania.
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Retired Airline Pilot and Electrician..
I'm not old, I've just been young a long time....Ken
Since light travels faster than sound, some people appear bright until you hear them speak.
but considering we are towing a larger rig compared to the other couple coming with us I suppose that OK well, it has to be as there is no other way of getting there. We will be over in Tassie for 51 days so $41.35 per day for having my own transport and accommodation. With the amount of free camps it should turn out to be a good holiday. 
