Easiest Way from The Spirit to the Hume Hwy via Western Ring Road
There are several ways from Station Pier out of Melbourne. I avoid the Toll roads and usually head north to get onto the Western Ring Road. You can then just exit at whatever highway you need if not heading towards the Hume Hwy.
I have added a link to a map to get you over the Westgate Freeway onto the Western Ring Road.
Leaving the Spirit, Heading for the Hume Hwy
Westgate Freeway to the “Spirit of Tasmania”
A link to return to the Spirit from the Westgate Freeway as well as Ashley Gardens and Western Ring Road. Click on the “ticks” to turn individual routes on and off. It makes it a little easier to see.
Our last two trips back to Tassie we have parked on the Boulevard. Come in from Todd Rd, turn onto the Boulevard, go along to the roundabout and do a u-turn and park along foreshore, free parking is an added bonus. When time to head to the “Spirit”, do another u-turn, very easy and head in along Beach St, a few tight roundabouts as well as a couple of speed humps, but easily done in our 30ft 5th wheeler. Use 18 Cook St as a waypoint or as a destination to get the correct off ramp if you are using the Westgate Bridge.
I have added a short route off the Citylink toll road on the map above. There are a couple of ways your GPS may take you. This option shows you looking at the Montague St Bridge, a bridge with only a 3.0m clearance. The route to the ferry turns right just before the bridge. It is sign posted as one of the ways to the ferry. If you use the Burnley Tunnel you can come in this way as well, so there is no need to worry if you are prepared
Hume Highway to Ashley Gardens
The entrance to Ashley Gardens is easier if turning left into the entrance as you must cross a continuous white line if turning right if you come directly off Ballarat Rd. You can click on the box on left of each route to toggle each route on or off. We have only used the Ballarat Rd option as we believe it is easier to navigate, but it is longer. GPS may want to take you on an alternative route unless you add Ballarat Rd as a waypoint.
Parking in Melbourne and some camping spots close to Devonport Terminal
I would recommend not to get there too early. Check out the map that includes parking areas around Port Melbourne I have added. There is plenty of free parking along Williamstown Rd, only 5 mins away from the “Spirit” and would be the less stressful with a large caravan.
Our return trips for the 2018 and 2019 trip we have parked along the Boulevard, only 500m away from the Spirit. The Boulevard is accessed directly off Todd Rd, we travel along the Boulevard to the first roundabout and do a Uturn and park along the beachfront facing away from the “Spirit”, plenty of free parking as well as places to do another Uturn, to head along the direct route to the ship, however there is several small roundabout and some speed humps to negoiate.
Next would be in the residential areas. I have parked here on our earlier trips as we came home with a 5th wheeler. It is a little tight but it is pretty quiet and virtually no traffic. Park up for an hour and make a cup of coffee. Don’t head towards the pier until after 5.00pm for a 7.00pm sailing. There will be plenty of time to board. There is also some freedom camping spots in Tassie on the map.
The low Montague is also highlighted on this map.
Play with this map
I have added a map below that you can play with and edit. You won’t hurt anything. You will probably need a Google account and be logged in to make changes.
I have added a short video to help you create a Google Account It is fairly straight forward.
This map can be editted. Leave a comment and let me know if this worked or was of no help at all.
A link to another page on my blog for some more help in making and saving maps
Chris and Dianne's Ultima adventure 
Thanks for the info. Will study them all. Will be coming in from west over Westgate Bridge. Will go western direction when returning. Thanks Chris. Looking forward to it. Have another friend sailing on same. She has a Swagman Motorhome and car trailer. Someone suggested coming off bridge to stay in outside lane of the two when exiting if you need turning room. Then get left .
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I use inside lane and cross over the white line. Use both lanes, do it carefully and signal your intentions early. I hog the white line early and then cross it at last moment. Most of the time you will be given enough room, the truckies certainly will. I hope you and your friend can come to a Devil Wheelers meeting, we will make you welcome. I will miss October, November meeting as my work roster was changed, but I will be at the December Christmas meeting in Devonport.
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