Spirit of Tasmania transports passengers, vehicles and freight
between Melbourne and Devonport, Tasmania. Spirit of Tasmania sails
nightly and also provides day sailings in times of additional
demand.
Spirit of Tasmania is also often referred to as 'tasmania ferry'
or the 'ferry to tasmania'. However, the twin Spirit of Tasmania
ships are not ferries but rather roll on/roll off ships.
Passengers have the option of taking their car on Spirit of
Tasmania from $74* each way, all year round. This adds value for
passengers and is possible due to the Federal Government's Bass
Strait Passenger Vehicle Equalisation Scheme which are deducted
from Spirit of Tasmania's fares.
Spirit of Tasmania operates terminals at East Devonport, Tasmania
and Station Pier, Port Melbourne. Its head office and central
reservations department are located in the terminal at East
Devonport.
The company's operations in Tasmania and Victoria have had a
significant positive impact on the economies of both states since
the original Spirit of Tasmania vessel was introduced in
1993.
While it is difficult to determine the exact economic benefits
TT-Line Company (trading as Spirit of Tasmania) has provided over
the years, in the 2005/06 financial year, TT-Line/Spirit of
Tasmania carried over 440,500 passengers and the Tasmanian Visitor
Survey showed 181,566 visitors had been brought into the state on
Spirit of Tasmania, spending a total of $326 million.
In 2004/05, visitors who arrived on board Spirit of Tasmania spent
$853 per head more than those who travelled by air, and stayed on
average 7.1 nights longer. Spirit of Tasmania currently employs
around 700 Australians from around the country with the majority
from Tasmania.
