It has been confirmed that October 22 will be the last time that the Spirit of Tasmania will set sail from Station Pier, Port Melbourne.
The vessel has docked at Station Pier for nearly four decades 37 years but, form the very next day, it will instead stop at Geelong as it sails to and from Devonport across the Bass Strait.
TT-Line chief executive Bernard Dwyer said the opening of the new terminal, Spirit of Tasmania Quay, marked the end – and the beginning – of an era
“While we’re celebrating our arrival into Geelong, we are also commemorating our final sailings from Station Pier,” Mr Dwyer said. “We have called Port Melbourne home for close to 37 years and we know that our iconic ships have been a much-loved part of the Port Melbourne skyline.’’
The new 12-hectare hub at at Corio Quay on Geelong’s North Shore cost $135 million to build. It will be able to marshal 600 cars and freight parking for 150 semi-trailers.
Improvements to Corio Quay Rd costing $2m has rebuilt and strengthened a 300m section of the road, in both directions.
The Herald-Sun reports that Finnish ship builder Rauma Marine Constructions has started work on new ships, Spirit of Tasmania IV and Spirit of Tasmania V, for the strait crossings.
The first vessel is expected in Australia next year, the second in 2024.
My first sighting of Station Pier was when we as migrants docked there in 1959.
I was 6 years old but I will always remember that day, it is still very sentimental to me.
Great ,we travel a lot from Tasmania by the Spirit,last trip we did was with a 40′ coach big rig(motorhome) with car on a A frame now we where lucky last trip we waited at Wallan service station then timed it right ,as we arrived gate where open straight on to the pier …..but other times a total nightmare…..so Geelong is great improvement ,we didn’t go into Melbourne itself anyway ………..I’ve been stuck on the ring road and near missed the boat ones before even though we gave ourselves plenty of time to get to the port …….so ones again Geelong ….yeap great
Migrant ship in 1958 from the Netherlands and Migrant ship SS Australis in 1977 from the Netherlands. Emigrated twice.
Arrived at Station Pier with MV Fairsea Sitmar Line from Germany in January 1954 as a 12 year old boy straight onto a Steam Train for a 7 hour trip to Bonegilla Migrant Camp near Albury. Great memories.
I can remember waiting along Beaconsfield Parade, and waiting in suburban streets for the gates to open into the jetty. I hope there will be waiting room outside the jetty in Geelong or that they will open the jetty early for cars and caravans to line up.