Passengers on the first public crossing of the new Spirit of Tasmania ships celebrated on board last night, with some unaware they were part of the inaugural sailing until they boarded.
The new ferries carried their first paying passengers across Bass Strait and Pulse joined the sailing from Geelong to Devonport.
Premier Jeremy Rockliff and Infrastructure Minister Kerry Vincent were among those onboard, along with dignitaries from the Tasmanian tourism industry.
Roaming musicians and other entertainment kept passengers busy as the ship left port.
“There’s been troubled waters, but we’ve stayed the course and here we are now on the first journey of many for the next four decades for Tasmania,” Rockliff told Pulse as the ship pushed back from Geelong on Saturday night.
He described the project as “one of the single biggest investments Tasmania’s ever made outside our hydro industrialisation”.
The premier said some things would need improving as the ships settled in over the coming weeks and months but was pleased to see the long-delayed vessels finally in service and delivering for the state’s economy.
While passengers queued to board, Rockliff met people in caravans, camper vans, cars and on motorcycles, with some returning home while others were visiting Tasmania for the first time.
“Everyone was really excited to be part of history,” he said.
“I see many, many happy faces, so I’m very excited.”
Minister Vincent said bookings rose 26% in September and 22% in October. He said more than 3,000 pet cabins had been sold and there was no longer a waiting list for caravans.
“It is just a magnificent atmosphere and a great day for Tassie, but also a great day for the rest of Australia,” he said.
Passengers on the first sailing had come from as far as Townsville, Newcastle, South Australia and the mines of Western Australia, Vincent said.
The new ships came into service years later than planned and the project attracted controversy along the way.
“Everything is always worth the wait. Every project has its problems,” he said.
“That’s behind us now.”
Retired dentist Jeffrey Mount, who lives in Launceston, said he had travelled on every Bass Strait ferry since 1950. He called the new ship “massive” and “fantastic”.
“There’s a couple of minor glitches as you’d expect, but they’ve been very helpful and very forgiving,” he said.
Mount said the cabins were nice and the dinner service was “excellent”.
“So many places to sit down, so much beautiful views both ends.”
Musician Toby Mobbs said he booked the crossing for a Devonport show as part of his national tour and said the cars boarded quicker than he was used to while driving his old Mazda.
“I’ve had to go to the mechanics three times on this trip so far,” he said.
“It’s a 2004 Mazda 3 hatch. It’s done 412,000km on the odometer, so I think this boat is faring much better than my Mazda.”
The ships entered service after years of delays and cost blowouts.
Last week, TT-Line reported a $723 million loss for 2025-26, including a $368 million write-down on the value of the new ships.
The ship is due in Devonport this morning, where Vincent predicted “one of the hugest celebrations we could ever imagine”.
