6 March - Ferry

Alarm went off at 3.30 but we were already awake.  Set off at 4.15 with an easy trip down to the wharf.  Hardly any traffic until we reached the wharf where there was gridlock of cars, vans, motor homes, boats.  They have to keep the road clear for normal traffic.  There is a parking area for the wharf which has 5 lanes.  As you pull off the road you are directed to a lane.  At the end of these lanes you are either directed to the ferry or an overflow car park.  We unfortunately got pushed into the overflow section and kept getting boxed in by the lady directing the traffic.  We parked in this overflow section at 6.20 and left it at 8.10.  You then drive back around to the first set of lanes but do get directed into the lane that progresses to quarantine.   We had been told that the quarantine staff were very thorough but ours only looked in the tub of the car and in the car fridge and caravan fridge, total time 2 minutes. We did have another person come over and inspect the kayak but was happy that we had washed it since its last use.  Next collected our boarding passes and drove onto the ferry, locked the car and van and set off in search of our seats.  Word of warning if you have any loose gas bottles or fuel this is taken off you and you have to line up to get them back at the other end.   We had booked recliner chairs for the trip and they are in a room with carded entry so only a certain number of people could get in.  Our seats were in the second row and are like airplane's seats except a bit wider and you get twice as much leg room.  The ferry left a 8.50.  We checked the time at 9 and decided we would get coffee and something to eat at 10. We then fell asleep and didn't wake up til 10.30.   Went and had brunch and walked up on the deck to find we were still in the bay.  Stood outside and watched as the ferry leave the bay and hit bass strait.  Back to our chairs where we proceeded to read, look out the window or wander the decks between our numerous nanny naps.  A long trip on calm seas with the novelty truly warn off by the end.  Arrived in  Devonport at 6.30.  We were probably the 20th vehicle off passing those queuing to get their gas bottles or fuel back and drove to the Mersey Bluff Caravan Park.   Set up and then watched the ferry leaving on its return trip to Melbourne.  It passes our caravan park.  The park is $30 a night and the showers are on 4 minute timers and when the time is up they won't restart for 3 - 5 minutes.  The sites are average size but the view of the ocean is good and we are here for 3 nights.

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