First two years of Spirit of Tasmania’s move to Geelong makes millions

A major addition to Geelong’s transport scene has bolstered the economy and created tourism opportunities, with one local pub that welcomes grey nomads to crash in its paddock saying it has seen a boost.

Mt Moriac Hotel publican Ashley Foote has welcomed more than 1800 free campers to his property in the last two years. Picture: Alison Wynd

The Spirit of Tasmania‘s move to docking in Geelong has injected tens of millions of dollars into the region’s economy, it can be revealed.

Tourism Greater Geelong and The Bellarine executive director Tracy Carter said research showed in its first year there was a $20m economic impact to the region’s visitor economy as a direct result of the Spirit of Tasmania relocating to Geelong.

In that year there 146,000 unique visitors to the region via the Spirit of Tasmania.

“That’s people spending time and money here either before or after they sail, which is great for hospitality, accommodation and experiences,” she said.

And people in the accommodation and hospitality space believe that influx continued into the second year of the move.

The Spirit of Tasmania has made its Victorian home in Geelong for the past two years. Picture: Mark Wilson

Ashley Foot owns Mount Moriac Hotel, which offers free camping alongside the pub, and said he believed the Spirit of Tasmania’s move had been great for Geelong.

“When it comes in about 6pm people aren’t going to travel far, they’ll want to stay somewhere local that first night,” he said.

“And on the way back they want to stay close so its easier to get back on in the morning.

“I think its fantastic for Geelong and local tourism has to be benefiting hugely.”

The Victorian Spirit of Tasmania terminal moved to Geelong in October 2022 from Port Melbourne.

Mr Foot said travellers were seeing some informal advertising on the boat about his free camping.

“We’re finding more and more people staying who are coming off the boat or going to the boat,” he said.

“The grey nomads who are always travelling are often working to a budget.”

Ms Carter said the move of the terminal was an important addition to Geelong’s story and its credentials in the tourism sector.

Tourism Greater Geelong and The Bellarine executive director Tracy Carter says the Spirit of Tasmania berthing in Geelong has made a big impact on local tourism.

Spirit of Tasmania acting chief executive Kym Sayers said the company was very happy with its Victorian home.

“The feedback we have received from our passengers regarding our facilities at Geelong has been overwhelmingly positive,” she said.

“The facility features a purpose-built terminal, a passenger vehicle marshalling area for 600 cars and caravans, more efficient passenger vehicle check-in, security facilities, public amenities, cafe, children’s play area and a pet exercise area.”

While extra sailing days have been added to the Spirit of Tasmania’s calendar in the first half of 2025 to reduce waitlists, it has not helped the delays on two new ferries.

The two new $880m Spirit of Tasmania ferries will sail with reduced vehicle and passenger numbers for at least their first year of operation because berth upgrades to accommodate them in Devonport won’t be ready in time.

The upgrades of the ferries have been a seven year project, and well overdue.

A GeelongPort spokeswoman said the arrival of the Spirit generated more than 750 direct and indirect jobs in the region in the first year.

City of Greater Geelong executive director of placemaking Tennille Bradley said the Spirit of Tasmania opened up a new market of visitors for the region.

“Representatives of Devonport City Council visited us last year to explore mutually beneficial arrangements between our two cities and we have continued discussions about how to leverage exciting opportunities, including the new ships arriving here in the near future,” she said.

Originally published as First two years of Spirit of Tasmania’s move to Geelong makes millions