06/03/14 - Preparation for trip to Tasmania

After a long hot summer with what seemed like a continuous heat wave of temperatures either over 40 or very high 30s, we finally summoned up the courage for another trip.

We had talked about doing a trip "overseas" to Tasmania even before we went on our trip to Far North Queensland last year.

One of the things we don't like about this sort of trip is that you have to book the ferry passage some time in advance and so it turned out.

We started to book in mid Feb '14 and the earliest passage available for our rig (over 2.1 mtr high) was 15/03/14, so we duly booked that and a return crossing for the 17/4/14, the Thursday before Easter. 

As we were in Melbourne for the Caravan and Camping Show and we had no idea how all this works with the ferry, the Spirit of Tasmania, we decided to head for Station Pier in Port Melbourne. Today's departure was a night crossing, departing at 1930 check-in starting at 1700.

When we arrived at Station Pier we got a good view of the ferry from Beach Rd.

 After parking the car ($4.70/hr!) and entering Station Pier there were quite a few motorbikes, cars, caravans and motorhomes already waiting to embark.
 

A Peugeot all the way from France was even amongst the waiting cars!

This was even before 1700 and as it turned out embarkation didn't start until 1800.

Vehicles enter at 2 levels, with freight trailer and some prime movers, going on first. Some of the trailers are towed on board by dedicated tugs owned by the shipping company.

At 1845 the gates are closed and if you haven't arrived by this time, bad luck, you can't board and you have forfeited your fare!

When embarkation started at 1800 several different groups of vehicles were selected in turn and directed to either the upper level or the lower level.   

All embarkation was finished by 1900 and preparations for departure of the ferry got under way, first the lower ramp was retracted and then the upper ramp, followed by the bow doors being closed and the upper part of the bow being lowered.

After the mooring ropes were winched back on board the side thrusters were used to push the ferry away from the wharf and the 10.5 hour journey was under way, ETA Devonport Tasmania 0600.

This is the crossing we will make on Saturday 15/03/14, our return crossing on Thursday 17/04/14 will be a day crossing, departing Devonport at 0900 and arriving Melbourne 1800.