Devonport ferry terminal

Spirit of Tasmania terminal

The Devonport ferry terminal is the entry point for travellers arriving by sea on the Spirit of Tasmania.

The Spirit of Tasmania operates daily ferries between Devonport and Geelong in Victoria. These ferries cater to foot passengers as well as those bringing vehicles, including cars, campervans and motorbikes. The ferry journey takes approximately 9 to 11 hours, with both day and overnight sailings. Passengers have access to a range of onboard amenities, such as dining facilities, lounges and cabins, depending on their ticket class.

Travelling with a vehicle

For passengers travelling with a vehicle, the Spirit of Tasmania offers roll-on, roll-off services, allowing travellers to drive directly onto the ferry. Upon arrival in Devonport, drivers can easily access local road networks, making it convenient to start exploring northern Tasmania. The terminal is well-connected to major routes leading out of the city, including the Bass Highway, which provides direct access to Launceston and other destinations in the state.

Foot passengers

Foot passengers use a separate boarding process and typically disembark directly into the terminal building. From the terminal, it’s about a one-hour walk to the Devonport town centre. Alternatively, taxi services and local buses are available for transport into town. Local buses stop near the East Devonport Primary School, around a 10-minute walk from the terminal

Boarding information

Check-in for ferry services generally opens 2½ hours before departure, with boarding beginning 1½ hours prior and it’s important to note that check-in closes 45 minutes prior to departure. All passengers must bring photo ID such as a drivers licence or passport.

Amenities at the Devonport ferry terminal

The terminal offers a range of basic amenities before and after your journey. Facilities include toilets, waiting areas, and a check-in desk for ticketing and information. There are vending machines for snacks and drinks, though dining options within the terminal are limited so it’s best to get a bite to eat before heading to the terminal.

Places to eat and drink nearby

While the terminal itself has limited dining facilities, there are several cafés and restaurants on Murray Street and Wright Street in East Devonport, no more than a 5–10-minute walk from the terminal complex. However, Devonport town centre offers a much better variety of places to eat and drink so, if you have a car, it’s worth driving into the town centre rather than getting something to eat in the immediate vicinity around the ferry terminal.

Getting to and from Devonport town centre

Although the ferry terminal is only 250m from Devonport town centre, it’s 4.3km by road. That’s a 10-minute drive or a one-hour walk, which can be a long way if you have luggage.

There’s also the option of taking a local bus into the town centre; however, local buses do not stop directly outside the ferry terminal and you’ll need to walk 10 minutes to the bus stop near East Devonport Primary school to wait for the bus, which runs about once every 40 minutes. The bus takes a roundabout route, meaning that it will take you around half an hour to get into the town centre by public transport.