Day 1 Melbourne to Devonport Trip to Tasmania 7th March 2011

We left home early and headed into Port Melbourne about a 40 minute drive from home to board the Spirit Of Tasmania by 9am, we were there before the designated 7:30am load time and queued on the wharf waiting to drive on board.

After sitting in the queue for an hour or so at dawn we were soon moving and getting our boarding passes from security.

Then queue up for another 1/2 hour on the docks at dawn.

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Then finally on board

Boarding video

                                                                                                                                                          
After taking note of our garage level so we could find the car again at Devonport we ventured upstairs for the long day crossing Bass Strait

Leaving Melbourne

On board Spirit Of Tasmania 1

Up on Deck

Enjoying the cruise

 

Breakfast eww

Heading out into Bass Strait

Passing the sister ship Spirit Of Tasmania 2

Approaching Devonport

Our accomodation for the night

After a long day at sea it was straight to our accommodation that was to be for the next 2 nights and a good nights sleep.

Packed and ready to go

Well the long wait is finally over and we are ready for our trip thats been many months in the planning.

We initially waited on the fares taking the punt that prices would get better than what they were for the trip on The Spirit Of Tasmania. At first the prices spiraled a bit from the original Xmas specials but we dug in and waited. During the week a special buy one get one free in the next 24hours became available and we purchased straight away getting the return trip with our car for $350au a saving on todays fare of about $300+, we were lucky.

Yesterday we began packing the car in earnest and boy what we can fit into our little Subaru Forester is amazing. I also did a trial video or 2 for the car cam setup and also made sure that nothing was going to come adrift in the car.

In the back are camping chairs X 2, quick erect tent, camping table techni ice 60litre fridge,camp kitchen includes pots pans and all our food. StovesX2, gas
bottles and toiletry bags, my backpack pillows and our sink (a plastic washing up tub) and a heap of other odds and sods including more tools for the car including a compressor and a tyre repair kit, cable ties and first aid kits X2. Nearly forgot the portable toilet its a shovel :~)

Cars packed and ready to go 1st thing tomorrow, even the dunny roll is quickly accessible. Under the sleeping bag is 15 litres water and tools for the car, under the dooner is self inflating beds X2.

On this side we have the computer 2 travelling bags for clothes and 3 sleeping bags and a bag with all our shoes in.
My bush hat is in there somewhere as well

Up front are day bags cameras a 2 way and phones.

Lets get outta here...