The first of the new Spirit of Tasmania ships has successfully completed the first trial run in the open seas off Finland … and tourism operators on the Apple Isle are being told to prepare for a huge influx of travellers once the much-delayed vessels finally arrive.
Minister for Transport, Eric Abetz, said that, while there was still significant further work to be done before the first vessel was in service and ferrying passengers and vehicles across the Bass Strait, it had now taken an important and welcome step forward.
“All going well, we expect that the first of the new ships will be ready for delivery in Q3 of 2024, commencing its journey to Tasmania not long after,” he said.
The new Spirit of Tasmania vessels will be able to accommodate more RVs. PIC: Cizza
During the sea trial, the ship was put through a series of rigorous tests to check performance capabilities such as speed and maneuverability as well testing all of the key systems including the onboard safety and emergency systems.Bernard Dwyer, Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of Spirit of Tasmania, said he was very pleased with the performance of the vessel during the trial.
“The ship performed well against every measure and we’re just really excited to see the ship sailing for the first time,” he said. “Although there is still quite a lot to do before the ship is ready for service, this successful sea trial brings us one step closer to bringing the ship home to Tasmania.”
Once they take up service, both of the two new Spirit of Tasmania vessels will have a capacity of 1,800 passengers, an increase of 28.6%, and 4,098 metres of vehicle lanes, an increase of 59.8%.
However, the owner of a Tasmanian caravan park is warning that Tasmania may not be ready for the huge influx of caravans and vehicles that will almost certainly come with the new ferries.
Rowan Carter from the Huon Valley Caravan Park told the Pulse Tasmania publication that all caravan parks were, of course, looking forward to the new era … but there were some concerns.
“[Tourists] come, they’re self-contained and they go into self-contained sites, but unfortunately not everybody, most, but not everybody does the right thing,” he said. “They go into the bushes and they go to the toilet and they dump their rubbish.”
He told Pulse Tasmania that national parks and tourist hotspots are particularly in need of more infrastructure, including dump points for caravans and effective rubbish removal for others.
“Can you imagine up the east coast, Bay of Fires and all the caravans that are going to be going there going five, six metres into the bushes digging a hole with a shovel?” he said. “It’s not going to be pretty.”
Minister Eric Abetz told Pulse Tasmania that the impending boost to tourism ‘will encourage private investment’ in caravan parks, facilities and restaurants, although he did acknowledge that dumping was a ‘matter of concern’.
“It is ultimately or initially a local government issue but we as a state government of course would seek to cooperate to ensure that our countryside is kept as tidy and neat as possible,” he said. “Because that is part and parcel of the tourism experience.”
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If the local councils can prepare for the influx before it happens then all the better. We have the toilet confetti problem all over the mainland, so you can only cater for those who choose to do the right thing. To the others….. book’em and send them back home.
Absolutely. Cameras on the outside of toilet blocks.
As one who spends 5 weeks in Tassie each year I can say that there is no problem with finding dump sites.
i think Tassie is ready for more tourists…it’s a hidden gem.
Will be intresting to see how much it costs to take a ute and caravan across on the Spirit? One way, $1400?
And will we still need to book a year or so ahead for the Spirit?
It’s a expensive trip under the present pricing system.As the ferry bookings increase,and the space decreases,upward goes the prices.We booked for a trip at the end of march from D/port to Geelong ,inside cabin for two and a standard size vehicle.Our booking was made approx.a month before.The fare was $988.00 one way.Not much left out of a $1000.00.The two new boats will also have a high passenger content, so I don’t see anything changing in pricing.
We have found dump points are spread out but easy to get to , same as water , when needed. But dump points only cater for those equiped with the proper toilet and associated equipment. As Rod has pointed out confetti is smothering the mainland.Don’t know how you police those who just do their business and walk away.
Our biggest problem was the scarcity of rubbish bins and when you did find one it was overflowing, have noticed signs requesting that household rubbish should no be deposited in said bins, that, I don’t think happens.Come on councils a few more bins would be great.
Still love Tasmania though, great people
Interesting that it is a caravan park owner expressing concerns.
I agree! What a poor reputation he has when you speak with the locals.
Don’t yet know, we are going over in October with our self contained all-terrain RV, but the more I read when planning, the more I suspect that they don’t have many dump points, especially the western half of Tassi. If there are enough, their tourism sites should advertise them more.
There are plenty of dump points in Tassie, you just need to plan accordingly especially when in remote areas. Wiki shows the availability of dump points in most areas but you may need to drive a little way to use.
We spent 2 years travelling around Tassie in our van, months on the east coast and on the west coast. We had no issues with water and dump points as we managed our travels and outings to accommodate the required visits. What we found to be a problem were the travellers in bongo vans that were clearly NOT self-contained. In most cases you’ll find with these travellers, English is their second language and tend to leave “crap” everywhere. If the campervan is not fully self-contained, it should not be permitted on the ferry. This is an area that authorities need to clamp down on.
Agree!, Tassie suffers from the same problem as mainland Aust. with irresponsible people thinking it’s okay to toilet in the bush. There is absolutely no need these days with the variety of products available.
I’ve been coming to Tasmania every summer for 5 months over the last 6 years, yes I have witnessed the increase in rubbish, toilet paper etc in places some people don’t go, I’m a photographer and love going to different places. It’s such a pristine island, it needs to get tough before it’s to late.