The Spirit of Tasmania will officially begin sailing from its new Geelong home on October 23.
In perhaps the most anticipated news of the year, The Spirit of Tasmania has announced the inaugural voyage between Devonport and Geelong will arrive in Geelong on Sunday 23 October.
That’s right. From late October, the beloved Spirit will bid farewell to Station Pier, Port Melbourne and wave hello to Corio Quay, Geelong, where the new state-of-the-art terminal will come to life.
The key takeaways and milestone sailing:
- Last Devonport to Melbourne sailing, departing Friday 21 October
- Last Melbourne to Devonport sailing, departing Saturday 22 October
- First Devonport to Geelong sailing, departing Saturday 22 October
- First Geelong to Devonport sailing, departing Sunday 23 October
Stay up to date with what’s happening in and around the region here.
Located about 70 kilometres south-west of Port Melbourne, this brand-new, purpose-designed terminal will be fitted with cutting-edge technology and exceptional facilities for an enhanced travel experience. With easy access and ample parking, undercover areas for vehicles, seamless boarding and security processes, and comfortable and accessible passenger lounges with a café and children’s play area, Spirit of Tasmania’s Geelong terminal will make any journey truly unforgettable.
The $135 million 12-hectare Corio hub will provide smooth boarding and disembarking with the facility offering marshalling for 600 cars, freight parking for 150 semi-trailers and a world-class three-level access ramp.
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Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Bernard Dwyer said the preparations for the Company’s first sailing were well underway.
“We’ve been working alongside our partners at GeelongPort to make sure the new terminal, Spirit of Tasmania Quay, is ready for the sailings on 23 October and we are delighted that the date has been locked in.” he said “We are very pleased with the progress of Spirit of Tasmania Quay, and we can’t wait to welcome everyone to the precinct to celebrate our first arrival and our first departure.”
Spirit of Tasmania is planning a range of activities for passengers and the broader community to celebrate this momentous occasion.
“While we’re celebrating our arrival into Geelong we are also commemorating our final sailings from Station Pier, Mr Dwyer said. “We have called Port Melbourne home for close to 37 years and we know that our iconic ships have been a much-loved part of the Port Melbourne skyline.”
“Our final sailing from Melbourne will depart Station Pier on the evening of Saturday 22 October 2022, and our first sailing will arrive in Geelong on the morning of Sunday 23 October 2022.” Mr Dwyer said.
Further details about the events and activities to celebrate the four milestone sailings will be released closer to the date so keep your eyes peeled.
The Corio Quay port base is about 70 kilometres south-west of Port Melbourne, roughly an hour’s drive from the capital city, however it’s claimed that the changed journey is not expected to add any time to the trip and the company said it was anticipating “time savings” due to greater efficiencies at the new port, as well as leading to increased passenger growth.
The Corio Quay will also able to accommodate two larger Spirit of Tasmania vessels which are set to be built by Finnish shipbuilder RMC.
Alongside all of this, it’s also going to create major economic, employment and tourism opportunities for Geelong, the Bellarine and the wider G21 region, which is news that we all appreciate right now.
Find out more here.
