Travelling To Tasmania: By Sea
Tasmania is linked by sea to the mainland view the car and passenger ferries Spirit of Tasmania I and II, which ply the waters of Bass Strait every night (duration: 10hrs 30 minutes), and during daylight hours in the summer months. Getting on and off with a car is an easy, painless experience; the only delay is likely to be going through the quarantine check at Devonport which is slow in peak periods.
Once that is behind you, there's something magic about heading along the coastal road from Devonport to Burnie just after sunrise with the road to yourself, and cows grazing on the lush green grass beside the shoreline. The Spirit of Tasmania operates daily from Station Pier, Melbourne to Devonport in Tasmania, running overnight, with additional trips in daylight hours during peak travel periods (mainly Summer); duration approx. 12 hours. The drive from Devonport to Hobart is 285 km (allow 4 hours). Hobart is 285 km or just under 4 hours drive south from the Devonport ferry terminal.
Spirit of Tasmania
From protected anchorages, scenic uncrowded waters and soaring sea cliffs to the wild waters of the Great Southern Ocean, Tasmania is a sailing paradise and offers great journeys for seafarers and passengers alike. Hobart's excellent deep water port is the arrival and departure point for many sailing expeditions, with berths at central docks just a short stroll from historic Salamanca and the CBD. There's also a selection of skippered sailing journeys, ranging from short trips to full-day and multi-day adventures. In summer, the Derwent River comes alive with sailing boats and thousands flock to the finish line of the world-famous Sydney to Hobart yacht race. Tasmania's maritime heritage is also celebrated in Hobart in February with the biennial Australian Wooden Boat Festival.
Sailing In Tasmania
