Tasmanian caravan registrations have grown by an incredible 46 per cent in the past five years in another sign of the State's growing economy.
Minister for Infrastructure and Transport, Michael Ferguson said the huge rise in caravan registrations from 12,738 in July 2018 to 18,587 in July 2023 was a clear indication that demand for the extra lane metres on our new Spirit of Tasmania ships will be strong.
"This demand will be met with the new Spirits coming into service between Devonport and the new Spirit of Tasmania terminal in Geelong next year.
"The new Spirits will have a big increase in passenger capacity, up from 1400 to 1800, and the number of cabins from 222 to 301.
"However, the most significant difference is the 59.8 per cent increase in vehicle lanes for passenger and freight vehicles, with over 4 kilometres of vehicle lanes available on the new ships.
"Every metre of the 4,098m in vehicle lanes will be a suitable height to fit caravans and campervans. This is great news for the so-called grey nomads, who are packed and ready to roll in record numbers," Minister Ferguson said.
Tasmanians can be confident that the new Spirits will not only cater for the increase in caravans and motor homes today, but will have the space to accommodate decades of increased demand ahead of us.
Huge crowds that attended the three-day Tasmanian Outdoor Boat and Caravan Show at Launceston's Silverdome this weekend also displayed people's appetite for hitting the holiday road.
The Rockliff Liberal Government will continue to grow capacity in the Tasmanian transport sector, delivering major infrastructure as a central pillar of our long-term plan that does what matters for all Tasmanians.
