Sailing information

Find everything you need for your sailing day, from check-in tips and terminal details to biosecurity conditions and a pre-sailing checklist for smooth travel.

Boarding Information

Your Day of Sailing Has Arrived

Your day of sailing has arrived! Before we welcome you on board, there are some things to be aware of so that you can enjoy the travel adventure ahead. You’ll soon discover the journey is so much more than just a ferry to Tasmania and back. Even about Spirit of Tasmania Pets

Be Prepared for your journey

Tips for a smooth check-in experience!

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Don't miss the ship!

Check-in opens 2.5 hours prior to departure and closes strictly 45 minutes before the scheduled departure time

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Need special assistance?

If you have specific needs and require additional assistance, please check in at least 2 hours prior to departure.

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Bring photo ID

Remember to bring a driver’s license, passport or other government issued identification. A photo ID is required to check in.

Boarding & disembarking procedures

Quarantine

Once through quarantine, all passengers proceed to the vehicle check-in booth to check in. Each passenger is provided with a boarding pass. For those passengers with a booked cabin, the boarding pass also provides cabin access.

Once through quarantine, all passengers proceed to the vehicle check-in booth to check-in. Each passenger is provided with a boarding pass. For those passengers with a booked cabin, the boarding pass also provides cabin access.

Passengers drive their own cars on board the ship directed by crew. Once the vehicle is parked, place in park/gear and engage the park brake.

On arrival, announcements are made regarding disembarkation. You will be called to your vehicle by deck number. When disembarking, do not start your engine until told to do so.  All passengers travelling with a vehicle disembark the ship with the driver.

On arrival, announcements are made regarding disembarkation. You will be called to your vehicle by deck number. When disembarking, do not start your engine until told to do so.  All passengers travelling with a vehicle disembark the ship with the driver. 

Where to board

Spirit of Tasmania's terminals

Geelong Terminal

Spirit of Tasmania Quay
136 Corio Quay Road, North Geelong
VIC 3215

Devonport Terminal

Esplanade,
East Devonport,
TAS 7310

Boarding with pets

There are a few extra steps to take when boarding Spirit of Tasmania with a pet. If you have booked a kennel, at check-in our team will provide you with a yellow tag instructing you to proceed to the nearest kennel with your pet. Spirit of Tasmania pets kennels are located on Decks 3 and 5.

Tasmanian biosecurity conditions

It is a condition of travel that passengers comply with Tasmania’s strict biosecurity regulations. Please be aware that any fruit, vegetables, plants, honey, fish, or fish products cannot be brought onto the ship and must be declared and/or disposed of prior to boarding. Biosecurity inspections will be completed prior to boarding at the Geelong terminal, with random inspections taking place during disembarkation at the Devonport terminal.

Pre-sailing checklist

We’ve created a handy checklist to help you prepare for your trip.

Before you travel

Ensure dates, names, direction of travel and sailing times are all correct on your e-ticket and that you have supplied your number plate details if travelling with a vehicle. You can make amendments online up to 3 hours before your scheduled sailing without incurring a fee.

To view, amend or make a cancellation to your booking,
visit book.spiritoftasmania.com.au/my-booking 

It is essential that you have booked the correct length and height of your vehicle. Vehicle measurements are confirmed at check-in, and if incorrect you may be required to pay extra for the additional length. Or if we are unable to accommodate the adjusted length or height of your vehicle, your passage may be denied.

Find out how to measure your vehicle correctly. To amend or make changes to your vehicle details, please visit My Booking no later than 3 hours prior to travelling.

Your Travel Information accompanying your e-ticket, details everything you need to know about sailing with us.

Find out about:

  • Check-in times and the boarding process.
  • Restrictions on bringing fruit, vegetables or plants into Tasmania.
  • Restrictions that apply to transporting jerry cans, LPG, gas and compressed air cylinders.If you are planning to carry dangerous goods, including firearms in your vehicle, please download and submit the Firearm and ammunition declaration form or the Firearm and ammunition (exemptions) declaration form for events 24 hours prior to travel.
  • Biosecurity requirements for pets – Special entry conditions apply to some animals entering Tasmania. All dogs must be treated for hydatid tapeworm within 14 days prior to entering Tasmania and checked for ticks. Passengers travelling with dogs need to present a printed and signed Declaration by Owner or Importer for the entry of Dogs into Tasmania prior to boarding. For more information visit spiritoftasmania.com.au/pets.

    Please read Your Travel Information carefully to avoid issues at check-in. For further information please refer to our FAQs section.

On the day

Have your e-ticket ready for check-in. You will be issued with a boarding pass when you check in. Pensioners must present a valid Australian Pensioner Concession card at check-in.

If you are travelling with a vehicle, you may take one carry-on bag or suitcase with personal toiletries, medication and clothing on board and leave the remainder of your luggage in your car. Please remember that only credit and debit card payments are accepted in our terminals and on board. If you are travelling without a vehicle, you may check in two bags or suitcases and take one carry-on bag or suitcase on board. The carry-on baggage allowance is one medium bag or suitcase with the maximum dimensions of 66cm x 46.5cm x 27.5cm. No weight restrictions apply.

Check-in opens between 1.5 hours to 2.5 hours prior to your scheduled departure and closes strictly 45 minutes before your scheduled departure time. If you arrive after check-in has closed, you will not be permitted to board the vessel.

There are five vehicle decks on board so it is important to remember where you have parked your vehicle. Parking Reminder Flyers are available for collection in every vehicle deck lift/stairwell to assist you in finding your way back to your car upon disembarkation.

Still need more information?

Please refer to our Frequently Asked Questions or call our friendly Customer Contact Centre on 1800 634 906 (in Australia) or +61 3 6419 9320 (International) Monday to Saturday: 10:00am – 6:00pm.

Select dates to view sailing schedule

Sailing Days Date Range Fitler

Select your departure location

Quarantine

  1. Once through quarantine, all passengers proceed to the vehicle check-in booth to check-in. Each passenger is provided with a boarding pass. For those passengers with a booked cabin, the boarding pass also provides cabin access.
  2. Once they have received their boarding pass, passengers drive straight through to the vehicle marshalling yard and follow instructions from staff.
  3. When it is time to board, passengers will be directed to board via the bow entrance or up the sky bridge. are to follow directions and board via the bow or up the sky bridge.
  4. Passengers drive their own cars on board the ship directed by crew.
  5. Once the vehicle is parked, place in park/gear and engage the park brake. Turn off your car alarm as the movement of the ship can set it off (you may need to check your car manual before arriving). Note the deck number and position of the vehicle within the deck so that you can easily find your car on arrival. Parking reminder flyers are also available in every vehicle deck lift/stairwell to assist.
  6. On arrival, announcements are made regarding disembarkation. You will be called to your vehicle by deck number. When disembarking, do not start your engine until told to do so.
  7. All passengers travelling with a vehicle disembark the ship with the driver.

Boarding with Pets

There are a few extra steps to take when boarding Spirit of Tasmania with a pet. If you have booked a kennel, at check-in our team will provide you with a yellow tag instructing you to proceed to the nearest kennel with your pet. Kennels are located on decks 3 and 5. At each kennel location, there is a combination of both large and small kennels. You can choose the most appropriate sized kennel for your pet. Bedding is not provided, but you are welcome to bring your own bedding. For safety reasons, passenger access to the kennels is not permitted during sailing however regular checks are carried out and fresh water is supplied throughout the sailing. Please address any other requirements with our crew at the time of boarding.

To prepare for travelling with your pet please visit the Pets and Kennels page of our website and watch our Travelling with Pets video.

Please refer to our Conditions of Carriage – Special Conditions B: Animals for more information.

Tasmanian Biosecurity Conditions

It is a condition of travel that passengers comply with Tasmania’s strict biosecurity regulations. Please be aware that any fruit, vegetables, plants, honey, fish or fish products cannot be brought onto the ship and must be declared and/or disposed of prior to boarding. Biosecurity inspections will be completed prior to boarding at the Geelong Terminal, with random inspections taking place during disembarkation at the Devonport Terminal.

Boats and fishing gear must be clean and dry; vehicles must be free from visible signs of soil and mud.

All dogs entering Tasmania are subject to biosecurity entry conditions and must be treated for Hydatid Tape Worm within 14 days prior to entering Tasmania. Documentary evidence of this treatment must be carried by whoever accompanies the dog into Tasmania and presented at time of inspection.

The evidence can be:

• An official statement/certificate by a vet;
• A statutory declaration by the owner; or
• Other evidence of treatment (such as the pill packet and purchase receipt)

For more information free call Dogs to Tasmania Hotline on 1800 684 215. 

Non-compliance with the above may result in severe penalties imposed by Biosecurity Tasmania. 

To ensure you are fully aware of biosecurity regulations please visit the Biosecurity Tasmania or call 1300 368 550 for further information.

Ship Status

Geelong to Devonport ( GEX to DPO )

Schedule Sailing

Check-in times

Est. Departure Time

Est. Arrival Time

July 30th
06:45 pm

04:15 pm – 06:00 pm

06:45 pm
31 Jul, 06:00 am
August 1st
06:45 pm

04:15 pm – 06:00 pm

06:45 pm
02 Aug, 06:00 am

Devonport to Geelong ( DPO to GEX )

Schedule Sailing

Check-in times

Est. Departure Time

Est. Arrival Time

July 31st
06:45 pm

04:15 pm – 06:00 pm

06:45 pm
01 Aug, 06:00 am
August 2nd
06:45 pm

04:15 pm – 06:00 pm

06:45 pm
03 Aug, 06:00 am

Boarding and disembarking

How to drive your vehicle on board

  • Once through quarantine, all passengers proceed to the vehicle check-in booth to check-in. Each passenger is provided with a boarding pass. For those passengers with a booked cabin, the boarding pass also provides cabin access.
  • Once they have received their boarding pass, passengers drive straight through to the vehicle marshalling yard and follow instructions from staff.
  • When it is time to board, passengers will be directed to board via the bow entrance or up the sky bridge. are to follow directions and board via the bow or up the sky bridge.
  • Passengers drive their own cars on board the ship directed by crew.
  • Once the vehicle is parked, place in park/gear and engage the park brake. Turn off your car alarm as the movement of the ship can set it off (you may need to check your car manual before arriving). Note the deck number and position of the vehicle within the deck so that you can easily find your car on arrival. Parking reminder flyers are also available in every vehicle deck lift/stairwell to assist.
  • On arrival, announcements are made regarding disembarkation. You will be called to your vehicle by deck number. When disembarking, do not start your engine until told to do so.
  • All passengers travelling with a vehicle disembark the ship with the driver.

Is it difficult to board the vehicle deck?

No, security and ship staff are available to direct you.

Remember, for safety reasons, you won’t be allowed on the vehicle deck during the voyage. Please ensure you grab a carry-on bag and any medication to take with you.

Detailed information on boarding Spirit of Tasmania with a vehicle can be found here.