accomodation near the Spirit of Tasmania terminal in Victoria

sue e · Member

accomodation near the Spirit of Tasmania terminal in Victoria

NeilandRaine · Guru

Maybe you should just line up early, about 10 the night before.

_wombat_ · Master (of Mischief)

this place is at Melbourne Airport but is only $79 a double, will take about 30-40 mins to get to the ferry.

http://www.hotelformule1.com/gb/home/index.shtml

Pejay · Guru

Hi Sue,

When we went to Tasmania at the beginning of July (with our van), we stayed at the South East Holiday Village @ 29 Wells Rd, Chelsea Heights. They were very good, and allowed us to stay 'til after lunch time before we headed off. It's on the eastern side of Port Phillip Bay and was an easy drive along the shoreline to the Station Pier. BE AWARE THOUGH that you cannot line up at the actual terminal 'til about 1 1/2 hrs before boarding the ferry. eg we were due to board around 6pm, but the gates didn't open 'til 4.30pm, and the parking along the foreshore is now on parking meters!!!! And I understand the cops are vicious along there as well.

Can't read into your query if you have a van or not with you, but either way, make sure you don't have any fresh food with you as it will have to be declared and handed over (no such worries coming back to the mainland). Also if you have any flamable items (eg metho) with also be taken. Loose gas bottles will also be taken and given back to you once you arrive at Devonport.

We stopped at the Abel Tasman C/Pk in Devonport - very close to the terminal there, and they allowed us to stay 'til around 4pm on the day we came back for not extra charge.

Hope this helps, and you have a wonderful time exploring Tassie.

June

PS Both parks had nice looking cabins as well.

-- Edited by Pejay on Friday 7th of October 2011 09:05:35 AM

RosieW · Guru

If all else fails, ring TT-Line, they often know of places, so long as you get through to someone who wants to be helpful.

Ma · Guru

Thanks June, that info has helped us too. We board the boat on the 15th November - night sailing

Clare46 · Senior Member

I think this is the one that is recommended on another forum

ashleygardens@aspenparks.com.au

goodie · Veteran Member

There is a site at Craigieburn on the old Hume Highway [not the Hume Freeway] which is a few Kms from the Sydney Road On Ramp of The Western Ring Road.
This will take you fairly simply via the Bolte Bridge to Station Pier. The Spirit of Tas site has a map on it and if you just study the off ramp layouts from the Bolte it is pretty simple. Bearing in mind the Terminal is on the edge of the busiest part of Melbourne it works pretty well. Hope this helps.
Chris

goodie · Veteran Member

Sorry.......further to my last post. There is NO repeat No parking even short term close to the Terminal as they will advise when booking.
Chris

Ron and Shirley · Senior Member

Ashley Gardens CP gets a lot of positive mentions regarding catching the Ferry to Tasmania on many other Forums.

Apparently they have an area where you can leave your van and go sightseeing during the day whilst waiting for the night departure. Then there seems to be a convoy of vans in the evening following the map they give you heading to the Ferry.

Another park that also gets good mentions is Werribee South Caravan Park.

Whatever you do, do not let your GPS/Navigator take you down Montague Street if you have a full height van as the bridge is only 3metres.

_wombat_ · Master (of Mischief)

goodie wrote:
There is a site at Craigieburn on the old Hume Highway [not the Hume Freeway] which is a few Kms from the Sydney Road On Ramp of The Western Ring Road.
This will take you fairly simply via the Bolte Bridge to Station Pier. The Spirit of Tas site has a map on it and if you just study the off ramp layouts from the Bolte it is pretty simple. Bearing in mind the Terminal is on the edge of the busiest part of Melbourne it works pretty well. Hope this helps.
Chris

that CP is no longer

Pejay · Guru

Hi Guys,

Aspley Gradens C/Pk on the north side closed down around June I think - so that park is out. We looked at all options and felt that the one we chose gave us the least worrisome trip to Station Pier, particularly for a Friday night sailing.

NeilandRaine · Guru

goodie wrote:
Sorry.......further to my last post. There is NO repeat No parking even short term close to the Terminal as they will advise when booking.
Chris

Bugger there goes my plan of arriving a few hours early

There is a big 4 in Coburg

265 Elizabeth Street
Coburg VIC 3058
1800 802 678

You can see the walls of Pentridge from the park and its about 20 k from station pier straight down sydney rd but leave

early before peak hour

chris & terry · Senior Member

We used the Werribee South Caravan Park when we went over to Tassie, found it was the only dog friendly park available + the rate was reasonable & they seemed to get a reasonable trade with vans going over to Tassie. A bit of a drive to the wharf but not hard to manage. We also stayed there on our way back. There was free camping at the sport ground up the road from the terminal in Davenport, don't know if it is still in use though (we were there in 2010).

Regards Terry

Ron and Shirley · Senior Member

Pejay

I think you mean the now closed Apollo Gardens CP up near Craigieburn, definitely not Ashley Gardens CP Braybrook Vic.

Neil

Yes the Big 4 in Coburg would also be OK.

However it is always Peak hour on Sydney Rd from Coburg to the City in both directions.

Maybe the slight exception is before 9:30am when the road is a clearway into the city. Even then I would not recommend travelling with a van in tow. Yes I travel Sydney road often.

The route for a night Ferry departure would be to go westward along Bell Street then South down the freeway and over the Bolte Bridge then left following the Blue Ferry signs to the Port.

-- Edited by Ron and Shirley on Friday 7th of October 2011 10:39:53 PM

Technomad · Senior Member

HI, when we managed Geelong Riverview many with vans in particular stayed with us and had an easy run into Melbourne, from the right side of town avoiding grid lock. About an hour out 3 lanes all the way.

Enjoy.

Graham.

NeilandRaine · Guru

Ron and Shirley wrote:
Pejay
I think you mean the now closed Apollo Gardens CP up near Craigieburn, definitely not Ashley Gardens CP Braybrook Vic.
Neil
Yes the Big 4 in Coburg would also be OK.
However it is always Peak hour on Sydney Rd from Coburg to the City in both directions.
Maybe the slight exception is before 9:30am when the road is a clearway into the city. Even then I would not recommend travelling with a van in tow. Yes I travel Sydney road often.
The route for a night Ferry departure would be to go westward along Bell Street then South down the freeway and over the Bolte Bridge then left following the Blue Ferry signs to the Port.

-- Edited by Ron and Shirley on Friday 7th of October 2011 10:39:53 PM

You are right about Sydney Rd, but I was thinking something like 6am.

Bell street and the freeway is a better alternative like you said but make sure you have an E Tag

-- Edited by NeilandRaine on Saturday 8th of October 2011 07:25:31 AM

kandagal · Guru

I have heard that you can stay a the St Kilda marina with a caravan or motorhome. I think it costs $5 to open the gate at the entry.

_wombat_ · Master (of Mischief)

Have you been in contact with the people at the ferry terminal and asked them, it must be a question they get asked a lot.

Pejay · Guru

My apologies folks for getting tongue-tied with the name of Apollo Gardens, that is the one I meant when I said it was closed.

sue e · Member

Thanks all! that has been most helpful! we are travelling with a tent- don't laugh- we aren't going to do big trips- just a bit of sightseeing as cheaply as possible. We got a comfy sized tent and have had one practice at putting it up and down without too many difficulties.(in the loungeroom.....lol) We plan to do a few short stays soon get the hang of the whole process and to see what works etc. our kids are just rolling their eyes but we think what the hell- we're still pretty fit and active and have a positve outlook so it will be an adventure! yes??? This is where you all post reassuring remarks!

Happywanderer · The Master

Before making comments I went into your profile to check your age but you don't have it there so will just say reassuringly Good on you. Sounds like fun and you are going at the right time. January will be nice and warm for tenting. I have been told there are plenty of free camps around Tassie so enjoy.

_wombat_ · Master (of Mischief)

you ignore the kids and go for it, you will enjoy tassie

gubby · Guru

NeilandRaine wrote:
Bell street and the freeway is a better alternative like you said but make sure you have an E Tag

You don't need a E Tag you can ring the number for City Link and get a 24 hour day pass...

debnsteve · Member

We slept in the carpark prior to the day sailing! Arrived in Melbourne late at night having driven from Glen Innes early AM, no hope of getting a hotel (had three cats in the car as well), we weren't the only ones...there were lots of vans and motorhomes and quite a few cars. There weren't any parking meters and there were plenty of carparks...didn't see anybody being bothered..saw a few security vehicles but they just drove around. This was in January this year, worst thing was how cold it was and it had been about 40 C that day driving down thru the NSW backblocks so wasn't prepared, had to unload to get to the warmer clothes...LOL. Now living in Tassie and haven't been warm since!!