Mainland-based grey nomads heading to Tasmania will soon have a new – and generally more convenient – location to set sail from.
TT-Line will be shifting its Victorian port from the heart of Melbourne to Geelong, approximately 70 kilometres to the south-west.
The Spirit of Tasmania’s lease at Port Melbourne’s Station Pier will end in November, with the passenger ferry soon to dock at Geelong’s Corio Quay instead.
The ABC reports that an exact date for the move has not been set, but bookings have already opened to sail to and from Geelong next year.
And for grey nomads, who like a hassle-free travelling experience, it looks like being good news.
A new promotional vision of the 12-hectare Corio hub boasts ‘smooth boarding and disembarking’, with the facility offering marshalling for 600 cars and freight parking for 150 semi-trailers.
TT-Line chairman Mike Grainger said the new base would give the company ‘a unique opportunity to enhance the customer experience’. He said Corio Quay was easy to get to and solved a number of ‘operational constraints’ at Station Pier.
TT-Line has said the move will not add time to the sailings, but efficiencies at the new port will save time.
The ABC reports that the Corio Quay will also able to accommodate two larger Spirit of Tasmania vessels which are set to be built by Finnish shipbuilder RMC. The new vessels, slated to replace TT-Line’s existing fleet, are expected to start sailing next year and in 2024.
For us in Torquay? Absolutely!!
Has to be much easier leaving from here than trying to negotiate the crazy traffic in Melbourne
Its all about the TT-Line and what they are doing, nothing about the travelers wait times etc.
On my RV group facebook, queries are always, “Where can we park overnight while waiting to board the Spirit’s morning ferry?” I hope this problem can be rectified with the new location.
I didn’t find boarding a problem in Melbourne, only the street parking waiting 3 hours to board. I chose the night trip because of this.
Shazza W
There seems to be no place for motorhomers or caravanners to park overnight at the Port. Day sailings require somewhere close for travellers to park legally for the night preceeding their sailing. With no such area, we will find motorhomes and caravans parked in the nearby streets.
Mate,you can stay in a nearby caravan park.
We’ll be staying at a caravan park close by 🙂
Absolutely
Get it to Tooradin at high tide , and I am in…..!
I think this is a great move as Port Melbourne is not the easiest place to take a caravan. The low cost camp is also a great move and we will use it. Expecting to travel to Tasmania in early 2024. There is also a problem with getting to Port Melbourne early, as you can be fined for street parking.
How do you link from Melbourne airport to the Geelong terminal for passengers without vehicles?
I tried to book my caravan and there are no spots available for October, November, December. Is there a limit on size of vans?
Will there be over night parking for large motor homes to stay to travel next morning