Arrived Tasmania

Getting the motorhome on and off a ferry is always a bit nerve wracking for the Captain but at 6.30am this morning we disembarked safely ashore in Devonport, Tasmania. We departed Melbourne last night at 9pm in 30kt winds and bumpy seas so being able to tuck up in a cabin over night was very beneficial. We felt for those passengers this morning that had to spend the night sleeping in chairs in the different lounges around the ship.

Spirit of Tasmania

Our voyage last night was on the Spirit of Tasmania, a Roll On/Roll Off passenger and freight vessel built in 1998. The vessel is 194m long, 25m wide and has an average speed of 27 knots. The distance from Melbourne to Devonport was 232 nautical miles (429km) and we made the crossing in 9.5 hours.

So where to from Devonport? We have decided to head west today primarily because that part of Tasmania is out on a bit of a limb and if we run out of time by the end of the month we may not get there. The plan is to drive through Burnie and Smithton to Green Point where we will stop for the night. It will be a trip of about 200km. Tomorrow we will drive a further 20km into the Warra Creek Forest Reserve to have a look around. Over the next few days we will try a come up with a ‘Tasmania’ plan. Our next firm ‘appointment’ is the 1 March when we will board the Spirit of Tasmania back to the mainland.

We are not sure how efficient cell phone or data coverage will be as we travel Tasmania so if you cannot get hold of us just leave a message and we will call back as soon as we are able.