Spirit of Tasmania IV and V: What the New Ships Mean for Your Mainland Road Trip

Bass Strait travel is about to change. Spirit of Tasmania IV and Spirit of Tasmania V, which the Tasmanian Government describes as the first ships built new for TT-Line, are scheduled to begin passenger sailings on the Devonport to Geelong route on 31 October 2026, according to TT-Line. If you are planning to take the car, caravan or even the dog across to the mainland this summer, here is what the new Spirit of Tasmania ships mean for you, from your family owned Launceston travel agent since 1989.

Bigger ships, more room for cars and caravans

The new ships are 212 metres long and 31 metres wide, noticeably larger than the Spirit of Tasmania I and II they replace. Each has 301 cabins with 1,138 beds, compared with 222 cabins on the current ships, plus standard and business recliners. The Tasmanian Government says the two ships together lift capacity by about 40 per cent for passengers and freight.

For Tasmanians, the most useful change is vehicle space. The new ships have far more lane space, with room for taller and longer vehicles, and caravan capacity more than three times that of the current fleet. If you have struggled to get a caravan or motorhome booking on the dates you want, the extra capacity may help, although popular dates still fill quickly.

What is new on board

Spirit of Tasmania pet cabins: for the first time on the route, your dog can stay with you in one of a limited number of pet friendly cabins, subject to TT-Line's pet conditions. The ships also have a dedicated outdoor deck for dogs.

Family and deluxe cabins: family cabins sleep up to six, and new deluxe cabins have queen beds. Accessible cabins are also available.

Business recliners: a premium recliner option on day and overnight crossings, alongside standard recliners.

Food with a Tasmanian focus: the old buffet is replaced by the Tasmanian Market Kitchen, where you order from a menu, plus a cafe, a family friendly sports bar and a lounge serving Tasmanian wine, beer and spirits.

Something for the kids: a playground on deck eight, a games arcade and two cinemas.

The ships also have an improved hull design and large stabiliser fins, which TT-Line says are designed to make the crossing more comfortable.

What to know before you book

The new ships sail between Devonport and Geelong, the same route as now, from a new terminal at Devonport. Sailings on the new ships opened in stages, and more cabins, recliners and vehicle spaces are being released as the project reaches each milestone. That means availability on popular dates, especially school holidays and around Christmas and Easter, can change quickly.

Fares depend on the date, your vehicle length and the type of cabin or recliner, and pet and family cabins are limited. It pays to lock in your sailing early and then plan the rest of your trip around it.

Turning the crossing into a holiday

From Launceston, Devonport is an easy drive, so the Spirit is the natural way to take your own car to Victoria and beyond. Popular trips from Northern Tasmania include the Great Ocean Road and the Grampians, Melbourne for a show or sporting event, the Murray River, or a longer road trip up the east coast.

We can book your Spirit of Tasmania crossing together with your accommodation, touring and any flights for part of the journey, so the whole trip is planned in one place and you have one local team to call if plans change.

Talk to us

Want a pet cabin or caravan space on the new ships this summer? Call us on 03 6332 1222, drop in to Holyman House at 54 Brisbane Street, Launceston, or book an appointment. You can also read more on our Spirit of Tasmania holidays page.

Launceston Travel & Cruise Centre, family owned and operating in Launceston since 1989.

Ship details are based on information published by the Tasmanian Government and TT-Line in 2025 and 2026 and may change. Please check current details with us when you book. Launceston Travel & Cruise Centre is a travel agent and is not affiliated with or endorsed by TT-Line Company Pty Ltd. Spirit of Tasmania is a trade mark of TT-Line. Sailings are subject to TT-Line's terms and conditions.