Parking help needed when leaving melbourne to Tasmania.
greynomads6457 said
03:51 PM May 24, 2012
I was just wondering if ther is anyone that can help me with info on catching the spirt of tasmania we are going there in early jan 2013 at 9 pm at night and need somewhere to park up for the day with our nissan navara and 21 foot jayco caravan in melbourne any idea's. Thanks Barry & Lee.
kandagal said
04:24 PM May 24, 2012
We were told last year that we could park up at the St Kilda boat ramp. As it turned out we didn't need to go there so my information is 2nd hand.
blaze said
05:43 PM May 24, 2012
I would think that a close van park would be the way to go and just pay for a late ceck out. There is no way you want to turn up eary as there is no parking melbourne end, not a problem in tassie though cheers blaze
rod56 said
08:06 PM May 24, 2012
Largish carpark near Stkilda Marina, about 5 minutes to Spirit. Lots of spots along Beaconsfield Parade but they are metered and you would need to get their pretty early to get one. The best spot is on the other side of Beacon Cove on foreshore area just before Westgate Bridge (The Boulevard which is the extension of Todd Road), their is free parallel parking. Just have to do a U turn and drive slowly back through Beacon Cove along Beach Street taking it careful as their are speed humps but no problems and less than 5 minutes from Spirit. In this area there are picnic tables , BBQ's and bike/walking track with views out over Port Phillip Bay. You can also catch a tram into city if you like. Normally quite a few vans and motorhomes parked in this area waiting for loading time.
Rod
neilnruth said
05:03 AM May 25, 2012
We found it doesn't pay to queue early - first on, last off.
Evie n Rhys said
07:20 AM May 25, 2012
Beacon cove is the place to go. Free and you can camp in the carpark overnight as well. It's on the left just before you go under the Westgate Bridge. Just drive through the roundabout at Station Pier (where the spirit leaves from) through Beacon Cove (residential, high rise etc) turn left around toward the water and there is a parking area there. Lots of vans park there overnight and for the day. Is all free I believe. Friends of mine camped there before the early morning sailing. I popped over and had dinner with them that night. You will love it. Enjoy Tess
Sue - Steve Gazel said
04:10 PM Jun 1, 2012
Yes Beacon Cove is the place to stay, we did Tassie last Nov 2011, we actually visited Station Pier a few months in advance just to see how things worked. We didn't stay at Beacon Cove as we timed our arrival mid way through boarding so basically drove straight in and joined the que. We found that they put you on the ship depending on the size of your setup, that is if your a small set up you could be placed up front, hence first off, but it doesn't really matter it's an experience and just enjoy whats to come. We loved tassie are there are some fantastic and beautiful free camps to be had. Have fun.
Regards
Sue & Steve
greynomads6457 said
11:46 PM Jun 19, 2012
thanks for the info happy travels.
greynomads6457 said
11:46 PM Jun 19, 2012
thanks for the info happy travels.
greynomads6457 said
11:47 PM Jun 19, 2012
thanks for the info happy travels.
Nicholstones said
02:14 AM Jun 20, 2012
greynomads6457 wrote:
thanks for the info happy travels.
Barry & Lee - If you want to include somebody's post in your reply, you need to click on the 'Quote' button in their posting. Clicking on the 'Reply' button just puts up an empty box for you post, so once you have posted it there is no evidence of which post you are replying to.
Enjoy Tassie.
Wendy
elliemike said
07:18 PM Sep 20, 2013
greynomads6457 wrote:
I was just wondering if ther is anyone that can help me with info on catching the spirt of tasmania we are going there in early jan 2013 at 9 pm at night and need somewhere to park up for the day with our nissan navara and 21 foot jayco caravan in melbourne any idea's. Thanks Barry & Lee.
Avalon Rest area free camp #475 NSW Camps 7. Co-Ord38º 00' 2.99" S 144º 29' 38.03" E(BP Station both sides of the Princes Hwy )
We have stayed there a couple of times when catching the ferry. All the roadhouse facilities available as well. Worst thing is it is close to the hwy.
But a simple drive into the Ferry Terminal at that time of day I would think. We have only caught the morning ferries.
-- Edited by elliemike on Friday 20th of September 2013 07:19:57 PM
-- Edited by elliemike on Saturday 21st of September 2013 08:48:33 AM
Travelling Wattos said
09:31 PM Sep 20, 2013
Hi just wondering if there is any update to the parking situation at Beacon Cove while waiting to catch the Spirit of Tasmania? We are making the crossing Jan 2014 and catching the 9pm ferry.
thanking you in anticipation
Trish & Steve
jules47 said
12:18 AM Sep 21, 2013
Still a goer, form current information. Good spot, right on the beach - called Sandridge Beach - if you read the novel Power Without Glory, Sandridge is mentioned - believe that was the earlier name for Port Melbourne.
Travelling Wattos said
06:00 PM Sep 21, 2013
thanks Jules and Mike & Ellie We found the whole Port Melbourne / catching ferry thing stressful before, catching the morning ferry and staying overnight in the caravan park close by, but it all worked out ok. We gave ourselves a trial run without the caravan but still got lost on the way there and had to do a U-turn across several lanes of major road!!! We just like and want to be early in case of unforseen troubles but if too early you have to have somewhere to sit. Sandridge Beach area sounds like the spot. I just hope the council and powers that be still allow. Trish
jules47 said
11:13 PM Sep 21, 2013
We are at a caravan park in Seymour at the moment (owned by friends), they have about four vans here now, all going onto the ferry to Tassy either tomorrow (Sunday) or Monday. It is a pretty good run from here, straight down the Hume Highway - put Station Pier or Beacon Cove in your GPS.
Big Gorilla said
11:26 PM Sep 21, 2013
If you are booked on the 9.00 p.m. ship, there is another area you can park. I've parked there overnight in my MH. The Esplanade along from the Pier is named Beach Street and meters operate 24/7 at $4.00 an hour. If you go back along Beach Street about 1 km, until you come to Beach Hotel on your left. Right opposite the Hotel, check out the Parking signs. Meters operate from 8.00 a.m. until 6.00 p.m. meaning you can park there after 6.00 p.m. until you board the ship. It's a nice Esplanade with seats overlooking the bay.
I was just wondering if ther is anyone that can help me with info on catching the spirt of tasmania we are going there in early jan 2013 at 9 pm at night and need somewhere to park up for the day with our nissan navara and 21 foot jayco caravan in melbourne any idea's. Thanks Barry & Lee.
cheers
blaze
Rod
I popped over and had dinner with them that night.
You will love it.
Enjoy
Tess
Yes Beacon Cove is the place to stay, we did Tassie last Nov 2011, we actually visited Station Pier a few months in advance just to see how things worked. We didn't stay at Beacon Cove as we timed our arrival mid way through boarding so basically drove straight in and joined the que. We found that they put you on the ship depending on the size of your setup, that is if your a small set up you could be placed up front, hence first off, but it doesn't really matter it's an experience and just enjoy whats to come. We loved tassie are there are some fantastic and beautiful free camps to be had. Have fun.
Regards
Sue & Steve
thanks for the info happy travels.
thanks for the info happy travels.
thanks for the info happy travels.
Barry & Lee - If you want to include somebody's post in your reply, you need to click on the 'Quote' button in their posting. Clicking on the 'Reply' button just puts up an empty box for you post, so once you have posted it there is no evidence of which post you are replying to.
Enjoy Tassie.
Wendy
Avalon Rest area free camp #475 NSW Camps 7. Co-Ord 38º 00' 2.99" S 144º 29' 38.03" E (BP Station both sides of the Princes Hwy )
We have stayed there a couple of times when catching the ferry. All the roadhouse facilities available as well. Worst thing is it is close to the hwy.
But a simple drive into the Ferry Terminal at that time of day I would think. We have only caught the morning ferries.
-- Edited by elliemike on Friday 20th of September 2013 07:19:57 PM
-- Edited by elliemike on Saturday 21st of September 2013 08:48:33 AM
thanking you in anticipation
Trish & Steve
thanks Jules and Mike & Ellie
We gave ourselves a trial run without the caravan but still got lost on the way there and had to do a U-turn across several lanes of major road!!! 
We found the whole Port Melbourne / catching ferry thing stressful before, catching the morning ferry and staying overnight in the caravan park close by, but it all worked out ok.
We just like and want to be early in case of unforseen troubles but if too early you have to have somewhere to sit. Sandridge Beach area sounds like the spot. I just hope the council and powers that be still allow.
Trish
If you are booked on the 9.00 p.m. ship, there is another area you can park. I've parked there overnight in my MH. The Esplanade along from the Pier is named Beach Street and meters operate 24/7 at $4.00 an hour. If you go back along Beach Street about 1 km, until you come to Beach Hotel on your left. Right opposite the Hotel, check out the Parking signs. Meters operate from 8.00 a.m. until 6.00 p.m. meaning you can park there after 6.00 p.m. until you board the ship. It's a nice Esplanade with seats overlooking the bay.