While mainland-based grey nomads often bemoan the high cost of bringing a van to and from Tassie, for those based on the island state and who are forever crossing backwards and forwards, the situation is significantly worse.
Veteran adventurers Kevin and Pauline Hughes, who travel with dog Baxter, tow a 2020 19’6 Essential Cruiser Tandem Caravan with a 2014 D-Max, and they certainly feel the financial pain.
“We recently booked a May, 2027 sailing from Devonport to Geelong costing $1,500 plus for the one-way trip,” said Pauline. “We were unable to book a return as our future return date was not yet available in the booking system … but we anticipate it will be approximately the same amount for the return.”
Kevin and Pauline say taking their rig across the Bsss Strait is not a cheap exercise.
She believes a ‘short’ mainland trip is a non starter for Tasmanian grey nomads.
“With the ferry fares these days, in my opinion, to be viable, three months would be the bare minimum … which is not ideal or practical for many people,” said Pauline. “Our most recent trip was a bucket-list retirement adventure around Australia of just under three years but, on average, our mainland trips have been between one and three months.”
Kevin, Pauline and their dog, Baxter
While Kevin and Pauline are committed to spending the money to keep taking their van on the new Spirit of Tasmania vessels on future trips, they say it is not an easy decision.
“One needs to weigh up the viability of travelling on the Spirits versus flying and hiring … especially where one has limited travel time available,” said Pauline. “The cost, whilst high, becomes more justifiable for those who are more flexible with travel dates and have a longer travel period … I think TT-Line seriously needs to look at what they are charging or they will outprice themselves, lose business, and then complain the ferries are not sailing to capacity.”
And Pauline is also concerned by TT-Line’s decision not to run day sailings when the new Spirit of Tasmania vessels come into service.
“Yes, the ferries are bigger and able to transport more vehicles which should allow for this, but I feel that a big chunk of this extra space will be given to freight transporting,” she said. “And, if that does happen, we will continue to see a strain on obtaining available sailing dates, particularly in peak periods and for those towing a caravan.”
Pauline says the fact that travellers are often able to get a booking into Tasmania, but not a return crossing within the dates they require is simply not satisfactory.
But, as all Tasmanians know, having to take a ferry across the Bass Strait is just part of the price to be paid for living in such a beautiful place. And Kevin and Pauline certainly have no intention of letting a little stretch of water – and a costly crossing – deter them from taking regular trips to the mainland to live their grey nomad dreams.
“The Spirit of Tasmania crossing is an extension of the National Highway and a great service to have,” said Pauline. “It just needs to be kept affordable and offer value for money.”
Are you a Grey Nomad member yet? Click here to find out about the discounts, competitions and other benefits on offer.
I agree with everything Kevin and Pauline have said. We used to try to do two trips a year each way, but the cost is now prohibitive.
We now have somewhere in Victoria to leave our van for short periods but that ruins it for using our van in Tassie between mainland trips.
We’re now up to 40 trips, you do the maths and the trips have cost more than our caravan.
Freight has always been a caravanners problem. TT line are certainly making things difficult.