Spirit of Tasmania announces date of first sailing to Geelong Port

Managing director and chief executive officer Bernard Dwyer said preparations for the company's inaugural Devonport on Tasmania's north coast to Geelong trip were well underway in the meantime.

"We've been working alongside our partners at GeelongPort to make sure the new terminal, Spirit of Tasmania Quay, is ready for the sailings on 23 October and we are delighted that the date has been locked in," he said.

"We are very pleased with the progress of Spirit of Tasmania Quay, and we can't wait to welcome everyone to the precinct to celebrate our first arrival and our first departure."

After the closure of the Australian National Line's Empress of Australia route in 1985, TT-Line has been sailing from Melbourne's Station Pier ever since.

Mr Dwyer said a range of activities had been planned for passengers and the broader community to celebrate the "momentous occasion".

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"While we're celebrating our arrival into Geelong we are also commemorating our final sailings from Station Pier," he 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.

"Our final sailing from Melbourne will depart Station Pier on the evening of Saturday 22 October 2022, and our first sailing will arrive in Geelong on the morning of Sunday 23 October 2022."