Spirit of Tasmania Adds New Pet-Friendly Accommodation & Extra Capacity Ahead of Inaugural Sailings
If a Tassie road trip with your pup has been on your bucket list, packing the family car is about to get a whole lot easier!
Spirit of Tasmania will launch additional sailing capacity and accommodation inventory across its much-anticipated new vessels, Spirit of Tasmania IV and Spirit of Tasmania V, giving passengers greater choice ahead of the ships’ inaugural passenger sailings on 31 October 2026.
As Tasmania continues to attract record visitor demand—welcoming an all-time high of 1.4 million visitors in the year ending March 2026—the new vessels will play a vital role in supporting future growth and strengthening the connection between mainland Australia and the island state.
As a key gateway to Tasmania, the new vessels will help increase capacity across Bass Strait, supporting local tourism operators, businesses, and communities while making it easier for more Australians (and their four-legged family members!) to experience the state. The increased freight capacity will also provide greater opportunities for Tasmanian producers and businesses to get their products to mainland markets and, through established supply chains, reach customers further afield.
Game-Changing Perks for Pet Parents & Families
Historically, pets travelling across Bass Strait were accommodated in onboard kennels. While functional, many pet parents prefer keeping their fur babies right by their side. The new ships introduce a dedicated response to that demand:
☑️ Pet-Friendly Cabins: Passengers can choose from specialised pet-friendly cabins accommodating up to two pets per room, allowing dogs to sleep right in the cabin with their owners during the crossing.
☑️ Dedicated Outdoor Pet Deck: The new ships feature a purpose-built outdoor deck specifically for animals. This gives dogs a dedicated space for exercise, fresh air, and toilet breaks during the crossing.
☑️ Massive Capacity Upgrade: The new vessels are designed to carry an additional 470 passengers per sailing and feature 301 cabins, alongside increased vehicle capacity—including more than 3 times more capacity for caravans, campervans, and boat trailers.
☑️ 12-Month Advance Bookings: Passengers can access the expanded range of accommodation options, including new pet-friendly cabins, family cabins, deluxe options, and business recliners, with bookings available up to 12 months in advance.
A Distinctly Tasmanian Onboard Experience
Passengers travelling on the new vessels will discover a range of reimagined spaces celebrating Tasmania's landscapes, produce, stories, and makers long before touching land:
- Tasmanian Market Kitchen: A market-style dining experience featuring five food stalls showcasing a variety of cuisines and fresh Tasmanian produce.
- Mersey Café and Bar: Inspired by the iconic Mersey Bluff Lighthouse, serving barista coffee, snacks, and local beverages.
- Maatsuyker Bar: Offering casual dining and an expansive undercover outdoor deck overlooking Bass Strait.
- Cradle Lounge: Premium Tasmanian food and beverage offerings in a relaxed setting.
- Huon Lounge: Home to the Tassie Showcase program, bringing Tasmanian producers and makers directly to passengers throughout the year.
Please Note: Dogs are not allowed inside passenger lounges, dining venues (such as the Tasmanian Market Kitchen or Mersey Café), bars, or general passenger corridors.
Industry & Leadership Insights
Jeremy Rockliff, Premier of Tasmania, said:
"We are entering a new era for Bass Strait passenger travel and freight transport, with Spirit IV and V delivering an unrivalled travel experience.
The new Spirits offer expanded capacity, new accommodation options such as pet cabins, contemporary onboard spaces and a stronger showcase of Tasmania's best food, wine and craftsmanship. We look forward to welcoming even more visitors to Tasmania on the new ships."
Chris Carbone, Spirit of Tasmania CEO, said:
"Tomorrow marks an exciting milestone as we open bookings for Spirit of Tasmania IV and Spirit of Tasmania V and prepare to welcome passengers aboard for the very first time.
These vessels represent a new era for Bass Strait travel, with greater capacity, more accommodation choice and a contemporary onboard experience that is distinctly Tasmanian. From the onboard dining experiences to the Tasmanian producers, makers and materials featured throughout the ships, every element has been designed to showcase the very best of our island state."
Sarah Kingston Clark, CEO of Tourism Tasmania, added:
"The journey across the Bass Strait is part of a Tasmanian holiday, and the new Spirits will give travellers a taste of the island from the moment they step onboard.
Tasmania is a place meant to be explored at your own pace. With greater capacity and accessibility through the new Spirits, more travellers will be able to bring their car, caravan or bikes, giving them the freedom to take their time, get off the beaten track and discover more of our diverse regions.
Importantly, we know that travelling on the Spirit also delivers real value for Tasmania. Spirit visitors tend to stay longer, spend more and travel further across the island, helping to spread the benefits of tourism to operators and communities throughout our state."
Planning Your Ultimate Coastal Road Trip
For dog owners planning a multi-state coastal getaway, ferry travel opens up seamless, stress-free road trips. You can easily pair your trip across Bass Strait with a scenic coastal detour across Victoria's Port Phillip Bay using Searoad Ferries between Sorrento and Queenscliff—making the journey just as exciting as the destination.
Booking Details & Inaugural Sailings
- Inaugural Sailings: Spirit of Tasmania IV and Spirit of Tasmania V will undertake their inaugural passenger sailings on 31 October 2026, departing from Geelong and Devonport respectively.
- How to Book: Bookings open from 10:00 am Wednesday, 16 September 2026. To lock in your pet-friendly cabin, family suite, or vehicle tickets up to 12 months in advance, visit www.spiritoftasmania.com.au.
