Spirit of Tasmania confirms date for Geelong move from Port Melbourne

One big change is coming to Victoria’s ferry service across Bass Strait — this is when the Spirit of Tasmania is set to move to its new base.

The Spirit of Tasmania’s last sailing from Station Pier, Port Melbourne, has been confirmed for October 22.

The Bass Strait service out of Devonport will instead dock at Geelong from the next day.

Station Pier has been the ship’s Melbourne berth for 37 years.

A new $135 million terminal is being built at Corio Quay on Geelong’s North Shore.

TT-Line chief executive Bernard Dwyer said the new terminal, Spirit of Tasmania Quay, would be ready for sailings on October 23.

An artist’s impression of the new Spirit of Tasmania terminal in Geelong.

“We are delighted that the date has been locked in,” he said.

A new 12ha hub will be able to marshal 600 cars and freight parking for 150 semi-trailers.

The Spirit’s lease at Station Pier was due to expire in November. Instead, travellers will have to use the Geelong base, about 70km from Port Melbourne.

Improvements to Corio Quay Rd costing $2m has rebuilt and strengthened a 300m section of the road, in both directions.

Construction works at the new Spirit of Tasmania base at Geelong. Picture: Alan Barber

“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.’’

Finnish ship builder Rauma Marine Constructions has started work on new ships, Spirit of Tasmania IV and Spirit of Tasmania V, for the strait crossings.

The first vessel is expected in Australia next year, the second in 2024.