Our son and his girlfriend have informed us that they are going to move to Tasmania. We will be going down to visit them of course. Can anyone who has done the return ferry trip give us a rough price? Will be towing a 14 ft van...
-- Edited by petengail on Tuesday 8th of February 2011 09:15:38 AM
BobnBev said
09:08 AM Feb 8, 2011
Yep. cost us $1400 there abouts return, Disco and 20 foot van .you may be less if smaller.
BUT we came back early and they said "PEAK TIME" that will cost you another $150. plus $20 to change the date.
no dramers BUT there were 6 vans down there and we could have played footy easy ..
just what is peak time ???? another joke on the travler.....
petengail said
09:17 AM Feb 8, 2011
BobnBev wrote:
Yep. cost us $1400 there abouts return, Disco and 20 foot van .you may be less if smaller. BUT we came back early and they said "PEAK TIME" that will cost you another $150. plus $20 to change the date. no dramers BUT there were 6 vans down there and we could have played footy easy .. just what is peak time ???? another joke on the travler.....
thanks bobnbev - just edited my post to say we will be towing a 14ft van...
rosco said
10:08 AM Feb 8, 2011
Pete
Check this out http://www.spiritoftasmania.com.au/fares.html
Was thinking of doing the trip ourselves towards the end of the year.
Ross
stan747 said
11:31 AM Feb 8, 2011
Hi BobnBev,
What time of year did you go and what was the crossing like, I've heard it can be pretty rough at times
ozi2 said
11:37 AM Feb 8, 2011
petengail wrote:
BobnBev wrote:
Yep. cost us $1400 there abouts return, Disco and 20 foot van .you may be less if smaller. BUT we came back early and they said "PEAK TIME" that will cost you another $150. plus $20 to change the date. no dramers BUT there were 6 vans down there and we could have played footy easy .. just what is peak time ???? another joke on the travler.....
thanks bobnbev - just edited my post to say we will be towing a 14ft van...
G'day Pete, jeez, $1400.00 is a lot to tassie; do you have far to travel to get the ferry and how long do you want to stay? I took the ferry when they had specials of 50% off in October and it still cost around $350.00 return for a 5.3mt 4wd vehicle.
Would a fly/hire scenario be of benefit compared to the cost of the above?
I hope you can obtain a good price whatever way you travel and without a doubt you will love Tasmania, cheers, Ozi2
NandK said
05:14 PM Feb 8, 2011
Hi Pete,we're going over in a couple of weeks and flying from Perth.Airfare is about $1300 return with insurance,will hire a camper over there.
We booked a few months ago so airfare could be +/-$ now, Flying will give us more time in Tassie.
They do give Pensioner Rates on the ferry.
cheers,Norm.
Landfall said
06:42 PM Feb 8, 2011
We are going over in June, the cost of a Falcon towing a 6.6metre van is $675 one way. This is pensioner rate, two berth cabin with porthole and on the supersaver plan.
Don't forget that meals cost extra.
If you don't want to get ripped off, take a snack pack of some description, drinks are easy to get.
As for getting rough, we have done the trip about 12 times and only ever had one rough trip. Depends on your definition of rough.?
For us to make the journey we reckon that we have to stay on the mainland for 3 months.
Dusty
justcruisin01 said
08:09 PM Feb 8, 2011
Friends have just gone over with a 23ft bushtraka & F250[ big rig ] they were talking about $2000.00. They went over on the day time service, said it was very good.
Technomad said
08:49 PM Feb 8, 2011
Sounds expensive but it is travel for two return, car and van and the longer you stay over there the cheaper that becomes, not hiring a car, not hiring accomodation and freedom to move on to another park. The train trips to Perth and Darwin are the same, you are acommodated, no wear and tear on your vehicle or yourself and no fuel costs and fed at the same time. Hire cars are very cheap at major cities on a daily basis with unlimited kilo's. Only you can decide.
Nicholstones said
09:21 PM Feb 8, 2011
We caught the ferry to Tassy about 5 years ago, just us and the car as it was before we had the van. The trip over was fine, but the trip back was a nightmare. We were sitting in the bar on the very top deck (5 storeys above the waterline) as the boat pulled out from Devonport, it hits Bass Strait immediately and the waves were crashing over the top of us. We made our way carefully back to the cabin where I made copious use of the barf bags provided, then lay on the bunk and tried to go to sleep. The boat was crashing into the waves BOOM then falling into the following void CRUNCH you were left floating in the air as the boat dropped away then BANG into the bed again as it crawled up the slope of the next wave. I honestly thought the end was about to come, and given how sick I felt wasn't unhappy about it! Finally managed to go to sleep and woke up in the early hours of the morning to find the boat was motoring serenely across the waters of Port Phillip Bay, no sign at all of the previous night's drama (except the pile of smelly bags in our tiny ensuite bathroom).
But maybe your crossing will be fine Petengail.......
petengail said
06:18 AM Feb 9, 2011
Nicholstones wrote:
We caught the ferry to Tassy about 5 years ago, just us and the car as it was before we had the van. The trip over was fine, but the trip back was a nightmare. We were sitting in the bar on the very top deck (5 storeys above the waterline) as the boat pulled out from Devonport, it hits Bass Strait immediately and the waves were crashing over the top of us. We made our way carefully back to the cabin where I made copious use of the barf bags provided, then lay on the bunk and tried to go to sleep. The boat was crashing into the waves BOOM then falling into the following void CRUNCH you were left floating in the air as the boat dropped away then BANG into the bed again as it crawled up the slope of the next wave. I honestly thought the end was about to come, and given how sick I felt wasn't unhappy about it! Finally managed to go to sleep and woke up in the early hours of the morning to find the boat was motoring serenely across the waters of Port Phillip Bay, no sign at all of the previous night's drama (except the pile of smelly bags in our tiny ensuite bathroom).
But maybe your crossing will be fine Petengail.......
Sorry to hear of your horror trip. I have sailed through Bass Strait and the Bight many times in the Navy. Not sure how management would handle that though. As we will have accommodation paid for when staying with the son and girlfriend, fly and hire may be the cheapest option, as we would still have to drive from Brisbane to Melbourne.
noels said
07:56 AM Feb 9, 2011
Hi petengail we will be leaving on the 13/2 Sunday I have a 26 ft M/home for that and cabin for 2 cost $461.00 same accomodation and vehicle September last year cost $700.00. I think peak season is when ever the kids are on holidays anywhere in the country
BobnBev said
08:07 AM Feb 9, 2011
stan747 wrote:
Hi BobnBev, What time of year did you go and what was the crossing like, I've heard it can be pretty rough at times
Hi Stan and others, we went over the last day of Nov 2010. and came back Boxing day. we were going to stay for 4 months but the weather was so bad as we all have seen . that price was a return trip and im over 2.2mts high as well 12.5 mts long very rough going over, I wouldnt get a cabin again , down the back in one of the chairs is the best spot , Not so much up and down.. Just a small story, met this old guy over there that has been going over each year for awhile, said he has the ship worked out. says hes a mt shorter than he is that saves 75$ then he sleeps in his MH.on the way over, and didnt say he had 2 dogs, that saved another hand full of $.. he didnt buy any drink or eats... had to smile, and the young ones think they are smart!!
rosco said
09:47 AM Feb 9, 2011
BobnBev wrote:Just a small story, met this old guy over there that has been going over each year for awhile, said he has the ship worked out. says hes a mt shorter than he is that saves 75$ then he sleeps in his MH.on the way over, and didnt say he had 2 dogs, that saved another hand full of $.. he didnt buy any drink or eats... had to smile, and the young ones think they are smart!!
I was under the impression passengers were hunted out of the ferry decks and not allowed back until the end of the trip.
Was considering whether to do the trip towards the end of this year but might give it a miss. Not so much the cost, which I've calculated for my car and 17 foot van, at $2000 return, but also the fact I've only got two weeks leave, maybe I could extend that to three weeks. Nowhere near long enough to do the island justice.
Ross
noels said
09:59 AM Feb 9, 2011
Hi againg guys,
Just talking to TTLine no peak times but they have a certain amount of super saver fares available once they have gone you have to go to the next fare which is dearer. You are not allowed to sleep in your van. Also if on a pension special fares again if available. He said the sooner you know opprx when you are coming over the better as they will search for the cheapest fares for you. I hope this info helps
Cheers guys
Noelene
Happywanderer said
04:31 PM Feb 9, 2011
Are you allowed to take dogs over if you are heading to Tassie in a campervan and if so where do they go while you are crossing. They can't stay in the campervan for the whole trip, it is far too long.
Many years ago I travelled in my little Morrie Minor from Wellington to Picton (North is to South Is) with a cat and a dog sitting on the back seat, but it is only about 4 hours and they were quite safe there for that time.
Many more years ago than that I travelled from ChCh to Wellington (South Is to North Is) in one of the roughest rides I care to remember and I was pregnant at the time. Has really put me off water travel.
PeterD said
05:34 PM Feb 9, 2011
The fares are extremely variable. It is not much good asking how much someone paid as they will in all probability be different from you. The vehicle rates can easily be calculated from this site.
The big variability is in the passenger component. There used to be well over 2 : 1 variation between pensioners and full fare. You can save heaps if you are full fare payers by sitting in a cruise seat rather than occupying a cabin at night. Senior fares are dearer than pensioners. Time of year makes a bit of difference. There is also a big difference in how you prepay. You can get very cheap fares if you pay way ahead, but there is no refunds if you cancel or wish to change your dates. I had some health issues around the time I booked so I opted for the ability to get refunds. That cost a few hundred dollars extra not to take the absolute cheapest fares.
The only way to get some indication of your options is to go to the link above. do some dummy runs with your booking. Just make a booking attempt right up to the point of them asking for your credit card details. Print out your results and then back out before you commit yourself with cash. Very easy to do. However before you start you need the total length of your rig, that's what the vehicle fare is based on.
Landfall said
06:07 PM Feb 9, 2011
PeterD,
Almost accurate.
If you get the "supersaver" fare without refund, you do not need to pay "hundreds of dollars more" for the option of refund if health issues arise. Just take out their travel insurance, available on line, for an extra $16 your covered.
As you have so rightly stated, the best method for each individual case is "go to the site and do a dummy run."
Cheers
Dusty
BushbabyandGumnut said
08:09 PM Feb 9, 2011
Our son is in a mountain bike event in Tassie in Oct this year and we were thinking of taking the van and going over for 2 weeks.After hearing the stories above, I think if we go, we will fly from wherever we are.Hubby loves boats but is a bad sailor,don't think he would like to spend the trip looking at the bottom of a barf bag!!
While in Tas a few years ago we met people who had chosen to fly and hire a campervan... they had done the sums and found that after 12 days campervan hire they would break even with the ferry fare. They only had 10 days so they were pleased with their "bargain". If you arent going to stay long it might be worth considering flying and hiring once you get there.
blaze said
02:10 AM Feb 10, 2011
BushbabyandGumnut wrote:
Our son is in a mountain bike event in Tassie in Oct this year and we were thinking of taking the van and going over for 2 weeks.After hearing the stories above, I think if we go, we will fly from wherever we are.Hubby loves boats but is a bad sailor,don't think he would like to spend the trip looking at the bottom of a barf bag!!
I have made a lot pf crossings on the spirits over the years and only had one rough one, the vessels are very well stablized cheers blaze
Wombat 280 said
09:03 AM Feb 10, 2011
I went over last year and hired a MH for the 3 weeks. worked out much cheaper than taking my own , only thing 3 weeks wasn't enough time to see it all and relax while doing it .
Hired and pre paid for my MH over the net through some mob based in Holland for a fraction of the price compared to hiring through OZ retailers the MH came ready to go from the airport via Budget Rentals so you tell me how the the Dutch can do it , some one is ripping the traveler off big time.
Pays to shop around
brickies said
06:11 PM Feb 10, 2011
Wombat280 could you post that site in Holland thank you
Pejay said
09:10 PM Feb 10, 2011
Hey Marj,
Have started loking into going to Tasiie around June/July for 2 months with some friends in their van - so 2 4WD + 2 vans - and will be availing ourselves of the 'booked' recliner chairs, much cheaper than a cabin, and yes, from the Spirit of Tasmania website, you can take pets (dogs) and they apparently are placed in enclosures down on the vehicle decks, and I think you cannot go down to them or your vehicle during the crossing. I think I have this right, but check out the website.
debnsteve said
11:23 AM Sep 27, 2011
If you sign a special waiver you can leave animals in the vehicle...we thought it would be less stressful for our three cats to stay in their crates in the car rather than being in the ship kennels with the possibility of the close proximity of big dogs etc. We made sure they had water available..left windows partially down and they were fine (:. Be aware if you are bringing a dog you must have proof that they have been wormed for Hydatid tapeworm (a receipt showing wormer purchase is fine). We had day tickets and it was great..loved it, calm crossing( late January) but some people were still seasick LOL!
Pam said
10:23 AM Sep 28, 2011
petengail wrote:
Sorry to hear of your horror trip. I have sailed through Bass Strait and the Bight many times in the Navy. Not sure how management would handle that though. As we will have accommodation paid for when staying with the son and girlfriend, fly and hire may be the cheapest option, as we would still have to drive from Brisbane to Melbourne.
When we went across there was one bloke who had driven from another state to get the boat. His missus was flying direct to Tassie and meeting him over there. perhaps that would suit Management if she doesn't want to sail.
-- Edited by petengail on Tuesday 8th of February 2011 09:15:38 AM
Would a fly/hire scenario be of benefit compared to the cost of the above?
I hope you can obtain a good price whatever way you travel and without a doubt you will love Tasmania,
cheers,
Ozi2
The train trips to Perth and Darwin are the same, you are acommodated, no wear and tear on your vehicle or yourself and no fuel costs and fed at the same time. Hire cars are very cheap at major cities on a daily basis with unlimited kilo's.
Only you can decide.
But maybe your crossing will be fine Petengail.......
very rough going over, I wouldnt get a cabin again , down the back in one of the chairs is the best spot , Not so much up and down..
Just a small story, met this old guy over there that has been going over each year for awhile, said he has the ship worked out. says hes a mt shorter than he is that saves 75$ then he sleeps in his MH.on the way over, and didnt say he had 2 dogs, that saved another hand full of $.. he didnt buy any drink or eats... had to smile, and the young ones think they are smart!!
Was considering whether to do the trip towards the end of this year but might give it a miss. Not so much the cost, which I've calculated for my car and 17 foot van, at $2000 return, but also the fact I've only got two weeks leave, maybe I could extend that to three weeks. Nowhere near long enough to do the island justice.
Ross
cheers
blaze
When we went across there was one bloke who had driven from another state to get the boat. His missus was flying direct to Tassie and meeting him over there. perhaps that would suit Management if she doesn't want to sail.