Spirit of Tasmania
Submitted: Tuesday, May 14, 2013 at 10:02
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Member - Wozikev
I plan to take my patrol & van to Tassie in mid January 2014. Can any of you good folk tell me whether I need to book
well in advance. If so, can you tell me roughly how much in advance do you think.
Reply By: Member - Andrew L (QLD) - Tuesday, May 14, 2013 at 10:06
Tuesday, May 14, 2013 at 10:06
Thats the holiday $ea$on..definately in advance..months..6 months..you seem to know your arrival and departure dates..?
You do know it will be expen$ive then..?..car AND van.
AnswerID:
511034
Reply By: baz&pud (tassie) - Tuesday, May 14, 2013 at 10:19
Tuesday, May 14, 2013 at 10:19
G'day,
Get on to the web site www.spiritoftasmania.com.au
you can do your bookings on line, or you can have a dummy run to see if your sailing dates are available and what the cost will be.
Your will require the overall length of the van, work out what accommodation you want and it will give you the cost.
If you are coming in January I would be looking at booking NOW.
Hope this helps.
Baz
PS Hang the cost, just come you won't be disappointed.
AnswerID:
511036
Follow Up By: Member - Wozikev - Tuesday, May 14, 2013 at 10:49
Tuesday, May 14, 2013 at 10:49
Thanks Baz.
We're definitely coming, and now that I have your info I'll get right onto it and make the booking. Might even bump into you somewhere.
You've been a great help, thanks again Baz.
Kev.
FollowupID:
789147
Reply By: Motherhen - Tuesday, May 14, 2013 at 12:23
Tuesday, May 14, 2013 at 12:23
To be certain, I booked three months in advance, and picked up a couple of reduced fare days that fitted right into our time frame. Still a big cost, but
well worth it. Ours were such that we could defer the trip to any time within twelve months if something went wrong to prevent our travels but we could not get our money back. We could also defer the return subject to availability. When we were there a number of people did this as they had under estimated the time it takes to tour in Tasmania.
Motherhen
AnswerID:
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Follow Up By: Member - Wozikev - Tuesday, May 14, 2013 at 13:50
Tuesday, May 14, 2013 at 13:50
Thanks Motherhen. I've been fiddling about in the website and there doesn't seem to be much flexibility with prices at peak times. A bit over 2 grand return to
Melbourne for what we want. It's only money, and Baz has guaranteed us a good time, so who cares.
Cheers ......................... Kev.
FollowupID:
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Follow Up By: Ross M - Tuesday, May 14, 2013 at 14:35
Tuesday, May 14, 2013 at 14:35
Wozikev
Is the two grand for just the rig there and back, or for the two way trip of the rig plus living over there for a period of time?
PS How big is the rig? ie. Vehicle and caravan length.
Cheers
Ross M
FollowupID:
789157
Follow Up By: Motherhen - Tuesday, May 14, 2013 at 14:59
Tuesday, May 14, 2013 at 14:59
Be sure to stay long enough to enjoy it Kev.
I know prices have changed but in 2006 with a rig with overall length of 12 metres we paid peak period price day travel in February jagging a Red Hot Deal special, on a Sunday; my chosen day for tackling
Melbourne traffic. The return in April was in shoulder season and we only had night crossing available, having a very nice porthole cabin. We scored a Ship Saver special crossing Saturday night to get out of
Melbourne on a Sunday. All up we paid $1,284. It was worth it to have our our bed with us for flexibility and convenience. We paid very little in camping fees, and due to shorter distance travelled a lot less per day on fuel than on the mainland.
Mh
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789158
Follow Up By: baz&pud (tassie) - Tuesday, May 14, 2013 at 17:09
Tuesday, May 14, 2013 at 17:09
Hells bells, I wish it was still $1284.
We are on the boat in a couple of weeks, 13 meters all up, inside cabin, both night trips, concession rate of $1718.
baz
FollowupID:
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Reply By: Witi Repartee - Tuesday, May 14, 2013 at 15:05
Tuesday, May 14, 2013 at 15:05
I seem to remember discussion on here about gas bottles etc on the ferry. Might pay to
check the regulations.
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511050
Follow Up By: Member - hutchsky WA - Tuesday, May 14, 2013 at 15:32
Tuesday, May 14, 2013 at 15:32
Gas bottles connected to Van Ok, they
check to make sure they are turned off, lose bottles cans etc, you hand them in then pick them up on the other side. Our van 17.6 foot $1500 (Concession) return with a cabin and our five weeks last November, not long enough. Need to book, what's left after freight is the rest of us. we was also told if on a concession they are restricted. Happy Travels
FollowupID:
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Follow Up By: Motherhen - Tuesday, May 14, 2013 at 21:18
Tuesday, May 14, 2013 at 21:18
Bottles must be 'in date'
Mh
FollowupID:
789179
Reply By: Member - J&R - Tuesday, May 14, 2013 at 16:07
Tuesday, May 14, 2013 at 16:07
We looked into it as
well about 3 years ago, ended up spending a month travelling.
Left the trailer at
home, saved a bucket on the trip over the ditch and for van parks, petrol etc, enough for the equation to work out more affordable by staying in great B&B's and similar (3-4 days at a time) all over the island.
Would never bother about travelling there with a van again. Just too much hard work.
Got great accommodation deals in all the major towns, and better deals in the country towns.
AnswerID:
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Follow Up By: Member - J&R - Wednesday, May 15, 2013 at 14:26
Wednesday, May 15, 2013 at 14:26
Oops, just realised I said 'more affordable'.
Meant cheaper. And better value.
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Reply By: landed eagle - Tuesday, May 14, 2013 at 17:46
Tuesday, May 14, 2013 at 17:46
They will ask the height of the rig too. Determines which deck they will put you on.
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Reply By: steved58 - Tuesday, May 14, 2013 at 19:45
Tuesday, May 14, 2013 at 19:45
Would not dream of going without the van 21ft sterling went a couple of years ago booked 6 months in advance best place inoz to tour in a van fantastic have fun we will be back
Steve
AnswerID:
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Reply By: Member - Andrew L (QLD) - Wednesday, May 15, 2013 at 06:29
Wednesday, May 15, 2013 at 06:29
I'm another one for taking your van if you have one.
We went for 3 weeks in Feb 2013, Landcruiser and Tvan, cost $1100 return with day recliners.
We have just bought a Bushtracker van, and are looking at returning in 2015 for 2 months. It's a great place to travel and just take it easy.
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Reply By: tas130 - Wednesday, May 15, 2013 at 14:04
Wednesday, May 15, 2013 at 14:04
As a mainlander that now lives in Tassie I have done the trip many times during all seasons both with and without something in tow. My advice would be book as early as you can (don't worry about the cost you will have a great time and it will be worth it, and you can't take money with your dead so spend it now). Remember there are not that many spaces for vehicles over 2.1m high so sooner the better. With the accommodation side personally I would avoid the recliners as I have never heard anyone say that they got a good sleep in them and if you don't travel
well on the water I couldn't think of anything worse than being sick and stuck in a room full of strangers. Another tip is the food on the boat is overpriced and not that great (not too bad just think RSL not at its best) so we usually go to the markets in
Melbourne and get some stuff to take on with us. but remember fresh fruit will not be allowed off in tassie. If you get to the dock in
Melbourne early you have a few choices being park on the main road and pay for
parking and enjoy the waterfront do a bit of fishing of the jetty etc. or if you head up towards luna park there are some back streets (look up mary street ;-) ) that are free untimed
parking, this is where we often park and either catch a cab or a tram into town for the day and come back in time to board the boat.
If you want any more info just ask
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Reply By: Member - Wozikev - Thursday, May 23, 2013 at 09:35
Thursday, May 23, 2013 at 09:35
All finally booked. And thanks very much to you all for your very helpful advice. Quick summary - The final bill came to $1805. We depart
Melbourne Sun 19 Jan and return 15th March. 12.7m overall length and 2.85 high. 19th Jan daylight crossing with 'ocean recliners' and 15th March overnight with 'porthole twin cabin'. All a bit exxy but we've never been before and it promises to be a very memorable holiday. We are doing ten weeks in Europe Oct to mid Dec followed by Tassie so it will have a bit to live up to.Once again thanks for all your great advice, the response was a bit overwhelming.
Happy days ...................... Kev.
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