With the Tasmanian Government pledging to slash Spirit of Tasmania fares as a way of enticing grey nomads and other travellers back to the Apple Isle, the question is … how are they going to do it?
One proposal the table is to simply scrap the $79 car fee for making the crossing. Tourism Industry Council chief executive Luke Martin told the Examiner newspaper that axing the fee would be the quickest way to make a difference.
Certainly, something needs to happen. West Australian grey nomads Dave and Caron Sinclair, who have just spent three months in Tassie, told the Examiner that it had cost them about $1100 to get their motorhome and car across, even with a pension discount.
“We saved up for it and we were expecting it, but any more I think would put it out of the market,” Mrs Sinclair said. “Waiving the fee would no doubt bring more people over, but then you have the problem of not having the facilities for it … maybe another freight boat may fix that.”
She said it was difficult to set a vehicle spot on the Spirit unless people book well in advance.’
Tasmanian Infrastructure Minister Rene Hidding anticipates the annual average fare to reduce by up to 20 per cent … and that all initiatives would be canvassed in a new business case to be prepared by TT-Line.
He says that passenger facilities on both Spirit of Tasmania vessels will also need to be increased and upgraded.’
The state government wants to grow visitor numbers to Tasmania to 1.5 million by 2020.
And about time, we have often looked at going back over to Tassie for a other holiday , but taking the 4×4 + caravan + 2 adults and two dogs. Cost about $2000.00. A lot of money . This is why tassie has missed out on our money and we have spent that $2000.00 in fuel traveling up around central australia , that amount of money can buy a lot of fuel.
It os very hard trying to save up so that one can travel, now that we are now both one centre link payments and the pension.
It works both ways!! We in Tassie are also ‘stuck’ here unless we pay a high price to get off the island for a holiday.I would love to take my own 4×4 and caravan to tour some of the ‘north island’ but for the same money we can fly to Melbourne and hire a campervan for three weeks!!!
I live in the mainland and travel to Tassie frequently. My soon is in Hobart. I have always wondered why there are no mates rates for Taswegians…..seems unfair and quite discriminatory. Is not their fault the strait precludes them from freedom of travel across the country. I know when my soon moved over to Tassie it was cheesier to load a Ute, sell his furniture here and start again. Not very fair. How can Tassie hope to attract relocating professionals if there is no incentives and financial isolation. Tourism is also such a huge part of the economy it needs to be investigated. I don’t mind paying $80 to transport the car but why can’t I pay another $80 for the trailer….instead it’s more like $300 for the trailer….I only take up to car spots. Should go on $ per length not some arbitrary figure regardless.
I think the price for people travelling i.e. about $80 per person is reasonable. The price for a car at about $80 is also reasonable. However the price of a caravan not much longer than the car is totally unreasonable. The price should be either the same as a car for up to 12″ van or camper trailer and perhaps 1.5xcar price for 18″ vans and perhaps 2xcar price for 25″ vans. This would mean $320 per trip for 2people with a small van, $360 for medium van and $400 for large van. The other issue of the height needs to be addressed too, the majority of vans have aircon fitted to roof and apparently this sends them over the “normal” height. Just one more issue I feel needs to be addressed, the people living in Tasmania, I feel they should be allowed one free $80 (or equivalent to one person travel) per year, they could accrue their vouchers to allow them to bring across their cars/vans/trailers etc across or for onboard accommodation.
I totally agree with you Linda. Your suggested amounts are reasonable and would attract so many more caravan travellers and their $$ to Tassie. The current charges are outrageous for most of us and as a matter of not wanting to be ripped off I won’t be taking the van to Tassie until the prices drop to something reasonable such as those you have suggested.
We love Tassie and now have a larger caravan and are puttting off another trip due to the cost of both vehicle and caravan. Cost possibility to a maximum of $500 return.
As Sue said, the price of our 4WD is one thing but to add the camper trailer is ridiculous. It’s only the same as another vehicle. We have been putting off a trip to Tassie for that reason, much to the kids disgust. Traveling mainland instead. Make it reasonable and affordable and people will come.
Just got a quote this afternoon. Two pensioners, tug plus van, recliner accommodation, return journey. Cost: $1650…… can travel over 7,000 km on the mainland for that… Fuel and park fees.
Tassie won’t be seeing my dollars.
Agreed the fares with a caravan are too high. But how much should we discount the savings we make by not having to drive the 460km from Melbourne to Devonport? 460km @ $0.31/km = $142.60 and that is without towing a van.
We left the mainland 10/6/14 returned 11/9/14 as above winter time pension discount $2,000.00 I didn’t mind paying for the 4×4 & van ( although summer prices would be different) but the price of a cabin is just ridiculous (would have done day but no day travel in winter) We would love to go back again in summer but couldn’t afford it.As we drove from Brisbane to get the boat there were our cost to there & back again.Speaking to the locals all around Tassie they said the price was far to much as the government want tourist to come. We have raved to all about how wonderful Tassie was & that if they could they should visit. I would go again & again over there but for that price we have to settle for the trip we had..If we were not able to free camp most of the time over there we would definitely not have been able to see the beautiful Tasmania
My husband & I are booked in Feb for 4 weeks with our 24ft van on the boat. Any advice would be appreciated for places to see and free camping and do’s and don’ts.
I have a 7m Coaster Bus and I would like to go but due to the limitations of not being able to take the Car or Trailer without jumping up into the $100’s Plus, I don’t really see myself going for the trip to Tassie…
the Cost just blow out to much…
J
My wife and I just returned after having a fabulous 4 weeks in touring Tassie in our Suncamper Sherwood. The vehicle has a length of 5.7m and is 2.1m in height and we were able to get a return fare of $480, this included $44 for a kennel for our Jack Russell.
I do agree though that the summer fares are absurdly high and it is a definate deterent to visitng Tassie in the summer months.
A big pleasant surprise we did find was the number of RV friendly towns who all offered a warm welcome.
A pity this courtesy does not extend to the majority of towns on the mainland.
We went to Tassie last year, it cost us about $1100.00 for our tug and small caravan and slept in the deckchairs. We now have a larger caravan and would not even think about going back. If the costs were what it would cost you drive to Devonport then we would consider going back as it a beautiful place.
My old army unit were considering holding their reunion in Tassie but when they worked out the Ferry Crossing for the members decided against it. Three hundred members, probably 100+ vehicles. But we had a terrific time in the Barossa region. Tassies loss, SA’s gain.
just do it my friends its worth the money and time to go and look around we had a ball there.pete
Build a bridge charge a toll $1.00 per Klm wont take long to pay for it
tourism will boom employment will benefit its a win win for all
Bit silly having to pay for a cabin when we have our own accommodation on board – a package deal of $500 return for tug and van would entice me there for a trip, but any more is not an option for a single pensioner
Have any of you looked at the price (and distance) of crossing the Jardine River on the way to the Cape! Now that’s exorbitant!!
Been to Tassie heaps of times over many years and will definately go again but very unlikely to take the camper trailer ever because of the cost, way too dear. Accommodation in Tassie is very reasonable, with plenty of magic places that would cost much more on the mainland. So, for everyone who wants to go but put off by the cost of taking your caravans or trailers, leave them at home, just take your car on the boat, do a day crossing without a seat at bargain prices and toddle around and immerse yourselves in Tassie b n bs , pubs, lodges, and lots of very cute little motels. The vans will be there when you get home for more mainland adventures. Don’t miss out on Tassie because its too dear to take your vans.
Desperately want a trip with 23′ caravan to Tassie but the cost is very high, surely cheaper rates would be a benefit as I know of many grey nomads who would go if more reasonable price and then we would spend our money in Tassie , here’s hopeing
How much to get a Toyota coaster bus to tassie return
Loking at taking our 17ft van and tow vehicle to Tassie bit seems very expensive for three weeks. Interested in other options where we canstill travel in this way but not have the cost of getting our van and vehicle across
I just asking about a trip to tassie with my mum and my son and maybe 2 more people mite come with ask if it’s not to much we would like to come over by spirit tassie and go around by. Coach tour
TENT ANYONE?
Just booked our 4×4 and poptop van on the boat at $1800 all up inside cabin going over and deck chair comming back. With pensioner discount per adult. Going for 8weeks hope theres lots of free camping.
Hi I’m a 78y/o pensioner with a pajero and a 18’5″ Jayco off road tandem van, I need to know the cost of return trip to Tasmania on the spirit, november back early in december 2017, please ?.
We have put off going to Tasmania with a small motor home plus towing a 7×4 Trailer because of the cost , I’ve been there before and loved the place , but it looks as if I won’t be visiting a game
Just a quick question I have Isuzu mux and a 20ft/6inch caravan and would like to know just how the combined length is calculated is the a frame on the van counted I would like to know.thank you