Melbourne to Tasmania - Die fantastische Reise des Froschs

How to ship (and temporary import) a car from :.....Russia to Japan
....................................................................................Japan to Australia
....................................................................................Melbourne (Australia) to Tasmania
....................................................................................Australia to Peru

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Melbourne (Australia) to Tasmania
March 2015

The shipment of a car, which is NOT REGISTRED IN AUSTRALIA, from Melbourne to Tasmania is very easy but one or two things are nice to know before you drive onto the ferry:

We took our Toyota Landcriuser HZJ78, registered in Switzerland, from Melbourne to Tasmania.

In short:

1. as far as we know there is only one company sailing to Tasmania (Melbourne to Devonport) www.spiritoftasmania.com.au
2. usually they have only night sailings (every night)
3. in high season there are day sailings as well (around 9 hrs)
4. day sailings are cheaper because you do not have to book a cabin or reclining seat
5. there are seats, tables, bars, restaurants, movie theater, 240V charging possibilites on board (see their website)
6. if you book early (online) you will get the cheapest rates.
7. booking via phone is possible, but more expensive.
8. if the ferry is booked out (you can check this on their website) you can always call and you might still get a space for your car on a "booked out" date
9. there is a lot of space for cars under 210cm in height, but few for cars over 210cm (so book well in advance)
10. the ferry can be booked out 2 months ahead! Book the return journey well ahead
11. don't worry if your car is a bit longer than 508cm, it will not be measured
12. foreign registration is not a problem
13. fuel tanks can be full (petrol and diesel are cheaper in Melbourne)
14. your car has to be reasonably clean. If you arrive with a dirty car, you will be sent on arrival in Tasmania to a jet wash on the harbour itself before you are released on the island (free of charge)

Annoyances for overseas travellers:

1. your online ticket does not have to be printed out like it says in the confirmation e-mail, you only need the booking number or an ID with photo
2. your gas bottles must be attached to or built into the car otherwise you have to hand it over to the crew and collect it again in Tasmania.
3. if you have a gas bottle / tank which is not conforming the Australian Standards you cannot take it on board (a Australian Standart stamp must be visible)
4. gas bottles over 8,6 Liters are not allowed
5. We let our German bottle in Melbourne and bought a Aussie bottle. Unfortunately our stove didn't work with this bottle and we couldn't get any adapters, so we had to buy a new stove as well....
6. An alternativ is to take the risk and drive with your bottle on the ferry. If you are lucky they do not realize that your bottle has no Australian Standard, if you are unlucky your bottle will be confiscated.
7. In the latter case you might kindly ask that they store your bottle in the ferry terminal in Melbourne until your return. This might work, but just as well it might not.
8. We had a saw and a axe in the car. Both were taken away during sailing but handed back on arrival in Devonport