8 reasons to catch Spirit of Tasmania and road trip Tassie

Thanks to Spirit of Tasmania’s year-round ferry service between Geelong and Devonport, taking that idyllic road trip around Tasmania has never been easier.

Tasmania seems to be designed for driving holidays. It’s small enough to navigate easily and the ever-changing land and seascapes mean you never get bored of the view. Uncrowded roads wind through deep forests and pretty villages, over mountains and along dramatically varied coastlines.

This picturesque island state offers a multitude of choices for self-drive trips. Whichever route you choose around Tasmania, you’ll find boutique hotels, farm stays and historic properties along the way.

Sisters Beach tasmania near bass strait — See Tasmania’s dramatic coastline from the water. (Image: Andrew McIntosh)

And sure, you could hire a car when you get there, or you could save money, time and hassle by bringing your own vehicle aboard the iconic Spirit of Tasmania ferries. Conveniently, the ferries travel between Geelong and Devonport, year-round.

In 2024 and 2025 the ferry service will be getting a makeover, with two new ships replacing the current fleet. They’ll have 60 per cent more vehicle space and capacity for 1800 passengers – accommodating 400 more people than the current ships – so it’s easier than ever to catch a ride. Here are eight reasons why you should.

Spirit Of Tasmania at Don Heads — It’s easier than ever to catch Spirit Of Tasmania. (Image: Jess Bonde)

1. A Spirit of Tasmania crossing is an adventure

A trip with Spirit of Tasmania is one of Australia’s quintessential tourism experiences, crossing Bass Strait an adventure in itself. Besides the natural beauty of the ocean and Tasmania’s jaggard cliff faces reaching out to you as you get close to the island state, there are many activities onboard to keep guests entertained.

Two cinemas screen the latest movies, while local musicians and storytellers rove around the ship, entertaining passengers of all ages with songs, artistic creations and tales about Tasmania. There are kids’ game zones, face painters and circus performers that add a theatrical touch during school holidays.

TMK (Tasmanian Market Kitchen) on deck seven serves up a great selection of dishes featuring fresh Tassie produce for lunch and dinner, while The Pantry provides a range of grab-and-go snacks. Guests can also sample Tasmanian beer, cider, wines and spirits at three bars.

Spirit Of Tasmania bar — Sample Tasmanian beer, cider, wines and spirits at the bar.

2. Save time, money and hassle

Public transport isn’t much of an option for a thrilling, independent road trip, especially in Tasmania where services are sparse. And hiring a car can be expensive, especially when demand is high. Then you have to fork out for insurance, and you’re limited as to what luggage you can take if you’re flying to Tasmania. Travelling with your own vehicle removes these obstacles, leaving you to simply enjoy your journey.

Spirit Of Tasmania exterior — Save time, money and hassle.

3. No baggage limits on Spirit of Tasmania

Pack as much as your car can carry on a Spirit of Tasmania ferry. With no baggage limits, you can come prepared for camping, bring as many books as you want to read in peace, pack your favourite ocean gear or anything else that your trip calls for.

Adult fares start at $69, while fares for children aged three to 15 start at $35 and kids under three travel free. Car fares start from $179, depending on vehicle size and the season you’re sailing in. Motorbikes and bicycle fares start at $90 and $19, respectively, each way.

Your ticket price then depends on what type of accommodation you choose for night sailings. You’re automatically booked into a recliner, with the option to upgrade to a cabin.

car preparing to go on Spirit Of Tasmania — Pack as much as your car can carry.

4. Drive off the beaten track in Tasmania

You’re spoilt for choice when it comes to exploring Tasmania by car. A limited public transport system and many smaller trails and roads means your car will get you where buses simply can’t.

Plus, you can curate a trip to suit you. History buffs can head straight for the Convict Trail , Heritage Highway or Highlands Power Trail . Five wine trails take you to cellar doors all over the island, while you can visit more than 70 whisky distilleries on the Whisky and Spirits Trail .

Then there are Tasmanian beer and cider trails, the Tasting Trail that takes in almost 40 gastronomic stops across the north coast, and plenty more inspiring drive ideas.

Bradshaw Brisge, tasmania — Discover why a road trip in Tasmania is so magical. (Image: She Who Explores)

5. Pet-friendly travel

Spirit of Tasmania welcomes dogs, cats, pet rabbits and even some birds. They stay in kennels and specialised cages on ventilated decks. The crew check on them and supply fresh water regularly. Don’t forget to pack your pet’s favourite bedding for the journey.

dog running through cape tulip farm — Bring your animals along for the ride. (Image: Tourism Australia)

6. Enjoy a good night’s sleep – or a day sail

The journey between Geelong and Devonport takes between nine and 11 hours. Onboard accommodation includes twin-bed, four-bed and deluxe cabins, as well as recliners for the budget-conscious.

Day sailings operate between September and April and during high-demand periods. When travelling on a day ticket, you can wander around the ship without a specific seat allocation.

Spirit Of Tasmania window booth at restaurant — Nab a window seat and snacks during your day sailing.

7. Stargaze without light pollution

A Bass Strait crossing brings the unique chance to stargaze with no light pollution. This is particularly enticing over winter, when crisp, clear skies allow the best opportunity to spot the famous Southern Lights (Aurora Australis) .

Aurora Australias over Cradle Mountain — Spot the famous Aurora Australis. (Image: Pierre Destribats)

8. Avoid the stress of a flight

Taking your own car to Tasmania cuts out all the inconvenience that goes with catching a plane. By the time you’ve packed to within a milligram of your luggage allowance, driven to your nearest airport, queued for security, and paid a fortune for parking or taxis, stress levels are sky high. Not to mention flight delays and cancellations.

Jumping into the car – with as much luggage as you like and the family pet – for a relaxed start to your Tasmanian road trip is a dream come true.

man at airport — Avoid airports. (Image: Artur Tumasjan)

Hobart has quietly become our coolest capital, but the real wonder lies just beyond the city limits.

In the cool shade of Kunyani/ Mt Wellington, Hobart has earned a reputation. Home to culture-defining Dark MOFO, the city blends rugged, raw wilderness and rule-breaking galleries. But, step beyond the thrumming capital’s border and you’ll find a new perspective: historic towns, Jurassic-era cliffs and a UNESCO City of Gastronomy. With ALL Accor as your home away from home, fill your days with epicurean odysseys and wild scenery on the best day trips from Hobart.

Where to stay

Behind every good road trip is the perfect home base. Somewhere central to review your camera roll, make the most of Hobart’s dining scene and relax before setting off again.

For modern, Tasmanian-inspired design, book a stay at the Movenpick Hotel Hobart . Standing at the Salamanca Markets, look to the Hobart skyline and the award-winning hotel will catch your eye. As the third-tallest building in the CBD, the views across the harbour toward Antarctica are totally unique to your room. Here, end each day at the daily free chocolate hour (plus a free Movenpick ice cream for the little ones).

For a more budget-conscious option, head to the picture book, sandstone buildings of Macquarie Street. Nestled along the buzzing, historic streetscape, you’ll find Tasmania’s biggest hotel: the Ibis Styles . Return home each day to defrost in one of the hotel’s two saunas. Make use of the proximity to MONA, or take an easy stroll to the candy-coloured cottages of Battery Point between your adventures.

A stylish, Tasmanian-inspired bedroom at Mövenpick Hotel Hobart, your perfect base for relaxing after the best day trips from Hobart. — Elevate your Hobart stay with sleek style at Mövenpick.

1. Bruny Island

Craggy cliffs and tropical-hued, white sand beaches signal your arrival to Bruny Island/ Lunawanna-Alonnah.

Start your day trip at the island’s most iconic spot, the Neck Game Reserve. Scale the Trunganini steps to gaze out over the teensy stretch of land that juts through the sea connecting the two ends of the island.

Catch a rare glimpse of the white furred wallabies that call Bruny Island home at Adventure Bay. Then, for ocean-fresh oysters, pull into the drive-thru window at Get Shucked . Sample Bruny Island cheese at the cellar door before catching the ferry home with an esky full of local produce.

Bruny Island Neck is an isthmus of land connecting north and south Bruny Island. — Begin your adventure with a climb and a view. (Image: Elise Weaver)

2. Mount Wellington

At 1271 metres, Mount Wellington watches protectively over Hobart. Follow the winding road to climb through alpine forest and tufts of snow to reach the summit. Gaze down over Hobart and out to sea, or over your shoulder to the southwestern wilderness.

Reset your adrenaline with a mountain bike ride back down. Or, make like the locals and head into the mountain on foot. Try the hike to the Jurassic-period Organ Pipes which slips under the mountain’s magnificent dolerite cliffs (perfect for families thanks to the trail’s minimal incline).

For a view of Mount Wellington itself, hike nearby Cathedral Rock.

No matter where you are in Hobart you are never far away from the City's beloved mountain, Kunanyi / Mount Wellington — Climb through alpine forest to the summit. (Image: Paul Flemming)

2. Port Arthur

Constructed entirely by convicts, the manicured gardens and penal buildings of Port Arthur offer a day trip that practically hums with history.

The rugged, seagirt location was chosen for its difficult escape conditions. Now, you can cruise the coast below the towering, jagged cliffs of the Tasman National Park or wander the sloping fields of fragrant lavender.

Tickets to Port Arthur include a walking tour and harbour cruise. See the Isle of the Dead where 1000 men are buried in marked and unmarked graves. And Point Puer, Britain’s first prison for children.

The Port Arthur Historic Site is one of Australia's most important heritage sites and tourist destinations. Located on the scenic Turrakana / Tasman Peninsula in the south east of Tasmania, it offers a unique and essential experience for all visitors to the area. — Wander convict-built grounds and gardens. (Image: Dearna Bond)

3. Launceston

You’ll find Launceston at the confluence of three rivers after an easy 2.5-hour drive from Hobart. Launceston is a patchwork of old and new. Here, heritage streetscapes meet modern architecture.

Visit Cataract Gorge, the green, sun-dappled heart of the town and sacred meeting point for Tasmania’s indigenous communities. Pull up at roadside produce stalls that dot the Tamar Valley, or dine out. Launceston is, after all, a UNESCO City of Gastronomy.

Should the local wine scene persuade you, simply extend your time in Launceston at Peppers Silo (but definitely at least stop by the onsite restaurant, Grain of the Silo , for a farm fresh menu) or Mercure Launceston before heading back to Hobart.

Walk the sunlit paths of Cataract Gorge. (Image: Nick H Visuals)

4. Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary

Take a 35-minute drive from your hotel and you’ll find Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary . This social enterprise is run by a team of extremely passionate Tasmanians with a mission to look after critically endangered species who have found sanctuary here after facing extinction on the mainland.

Choose to wander the sanctuary at your own pace or join a guided tour (free with your ticket) to come face to face with Tassie’s most iconic species. Tasmanian Devils, wombats and echidnas are part of the free tour. You can book up close encounters with your favourite animals, too.

Bonorong is a Sanctuary for wildlife run by a passionate team of like-minded people. We're a social enterprise: a little business with a big heart. — Snap a cuddle-worthy encounter. (Image: Tourism Australia)

5. Richmond Village & Coal River Valley

Richmond is a town that belongs in a snow globe. Fifty colonial-era, Georgian buildings have been painstakingly restored and turned into cafes, cosy restaurants and galleries. Visit Richmond Gaol , said to be the home of a prisoner so vile he inspired Charles Dickens to pen Oliver Twist’s Fagin.

Then, follow the Coal River as it flows past grassy, duckling-dotted knolls and under the iconic Richmond Bridge, the oldest bridge in Australia. From the crest of the bridge, see the oldest Catholic Church in Australia. The river crawls past many cellar doors, perfect for a day of wine tasting.

Richmond is a picture-perfect town in the Coal River Valley wine region, offering a glimpse into early colonial life, one of the best day trips from Hobart. — Trace the river through history and wine country. (Image: Fin Matson)

Plan your trip to Hobart and beyond with ALL Accor at All.com .

8 reasons to bring your own car for a Tasmanian road trip