Sit in a bar and enjoy the view, or catch a movie on your way south, writes Sally Macmillan.
Australia's island state has much going for it - magnificent wilderness areas, cosy coastal towns, enough art and history to satisfy the keenest culture vulture and a thriving foodie scene.
And if you're looking for a family holiday or romantic escape that won't break the bank, it's the ideal destination for a road trip. Just pack up your car (or caravan or campervan) and head for Port Melbourne's Station Pier, drive on to the Spirit of Tasmania and enjoy a truly local cruise to Tasmania's Devonport. 
TT-Line, the company that operates Spirit of Tasmania I and II, has been transporting passengers and their vehicles across Bass Strait for 30 years so the operation is seamless. This season it has experienced an unprecedented surge in bookings for day and night sailings between Melbourne and Devonport.
While most passengers take their own vehicles, my travel buddy and I only had a weekend to spare, so we decided to fly to Melbourne and sail to Tasmania overnight. We then hired a car in Devonport for our road trip.
The Spirit of Tasmania had just been given a major makeover and having seen the ship in dry dock in Sydney I was keen to revisit it in cruise mode.
The refurbishment, which saw both ships being thoroughly overhauled, included an upgrade of the deluxe and standard cabins. Two new 48-seat cinemas (one showing kids' movies) were added, as were 121 new recliners in the renovated accommodation lounge. The upper decks were ripped out and replaced with bright, airy lounge and dining spaces plus a kids' play area that includes a jungle gym and a games arcade.
We were booked into a four-bed porthole cabin, which was basic but clean and new-looking, with an en suite bathroom that was perfectly sufficient for a one-night stay. However, if you fancy a bit more comfort, you can treat yourself to a night in one of the deluxe cabins. These have queen-sized beds and double portholes, and if you're travelling with a baby, they also accommodate a cot.
The ships, which each accommodate up to 1400 people and 500 vehicles, were built in 1998 and sail across Bass Strait at a brisk maximum speed of 30 knots.
Our 11-hour night crossing was smooth and we enjoyed a leisurely drink in each of the three bars before heading to the TMK buffet restaurant on Deck 7 for dinner.
The bars, which serve a selection of Tasmanian beers, ciders, whisky and wines, would be relaxing spots to hang out during the day sailings as you take in the sea views.
TMK stands for Tasmanian Market Kitchen, which is another new feature of the ships since they were refurbished. Prices are reasonable - $14 for starters, $22 to $28 for main courses - and $10 for children's meals, or free for under-fives.
We ordered the chicken wrapped in prosciutto and dukkha-crusted salmon, both of which were good, hearty fare rather than high-end gourmet dishes.
Disembarking early in the morning was quick and easy. The roads out of Devonport are easy to navigate and the weekend gave us enough time for a leisurely exploration of the lush, green countryside, seaside towns and out-of-the-way wineries of Tasmania's north-west coast.
It's like travelling back in time to a more civilized era - and as the Aussie dollar is not what it was a year ago, a cruise-drive holiday is an affordable, flexible alternative to going overseas.
TRIP NOTES
GETTING THERE
Accommodation for passengers (without vehicles) on night sailings ranges from recliners in the lounge ($96) to a four-bed cabin (from $96 a person plus $132-$180 a cabin), twin-bed cabin (from $96 a person plus $180 a cabin) and queen-bed cabin (from $96, plus $460). Day sailings fares start at $86. Fares for passengers with vehicles depend on vehicle size.
Sally Macmillan was a guest of Spirit of Tasmania and Discover Tasmania.
MORE INFORMATION
spiritoftasmania.com.au
discovertasmania.com.au
FIVE THINGS
TO DO ON BOARD
LOOK AND LEARN
On day sailings between   December and   April, artists and performers are on board to introduce visitors to Tasmanian history, culture and wildlife.
SEE A MOVIE
Two comfortable new cinemas show a selection of new-release movies.
TASTE
Sample cheeses, chocolate, jams, wines, whiskies, beer and cider and meet the makers in the Flavours of Tassie program, from   May to   November on day sailings.
LISTEN
A local musician performs every evening in the Terrace Lounge Bar.
RELAX
Head up to the lounge on Deck 10 and enjoy sea views, curl up with a good book in the Reading Room on Deck 7 or have a flutter in the Admirals Gaming Lounge.