With the countdown now on for the long-awaited moment when the new Spirit of Tasmania vessels begin carrying passengers – and caravans – across the Bass Strait, preparations for the expected influx of extra travellers are gathering pace.
The latest example is the Tasmanian Government’s commitment of $750,000, through the Spirit Preparedness Fund, to deliver upgrades to the Black River Campground, near Stanley on the northwest coast.
Minister for Parks, Nick Duigan, said the fund was designed to help Tasmanian businesses and councils prepare for the new Spirit of Tasmania vessels, which are future-proofing visitor demand through increased capacity.
“The Black River campground is a hidden jewel on the North-West Coast, offering an idyllic beachfront location to set up camp for a few nights,” he said.
The Spirit of Tasmania V departed Leith in Scotland last month Pic: Angus Duncan, Spirit of Tasmania Enthusiasts Group / Spirit of Tasmania
“This investment will deliver safety improvements and the visitor experience for all campers, in particular the growing caravan and motorhome visitor market.”
Upgrades will include the delineation of individual campsites and installation of three new total capture toilets; the roads will be resurfaced; traffic calming measures installed; and site drainage improved.
The upgrades are expected to be complete by October 2026, in time for the camping season. Access to Black River Campground will remain open, but visitors are being warned they may experience delays accessing some areas of the campground.
The arrival of the new Spirt vessels is, of course, also generating a bit of activity on the Victorian side of the Bass Strait as Geelong looks at how it can accommodate more travellers.
The real question though is ‘when are these new vessels going into service’?
The Spirit of Tasmania V departed Leith in Scotland last month is on its expected seven-week journey to Australia, ready to take up service across the Bass Strait. The 212-metre-long, 48,000 gross tonne ship will follow the same route as Spirit of Tasmania IV before it – via Gibraltar, Cape Verde Islands (off the western coast of Africa), Cape Town in South Africa, Port Louis in Mauritius and Fremantle in Western Australia.
Following a short stopover in Fremantle, the ship will travel to Geelong for further gantry testing before being berthed in Melbourne until a berth becomes available in Hobart at the end of the cruise ship season.
When in Hobart, the ship will complete the final fit-out of local content and be used for events.
TT-Line CEO Chris Carbone said Spirit of Tasmania V’s imminent arrival represented another exciting step forward for the company’s vessel replacement program.
“We are very much looking forward to welcoming our second new vessel home, to join Spirit of Tasmania IV ahead of entering service on Bass Strait later this year,” he said.
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