gold coast to pittwater / 368 nm / 1 - 7 Apr 2025
6 days / cat 2 coastal passage / EVENT #2552 / Awen: CREW POSITIONS AVAILABLE
The Gold Coast to Pittwater Passage is an exhilarating 368 nautical-mile journey along the stunning Queensland and New South Wales coastlines. Starting from the Gold Coast’s, Southport Yacht Club and heading down the Queensland Coast, and New South Wales Coast to Pittwater. The southerly passage presents a mix of breathtaking scenery and complex challenges. Sailors will contend with the forces of the Tasman Sea, riding fast offshore breezes and confronting shifting wind patterns, currents, and the possibility of big swells along the New South Wales coast. The passage demands precision in sail-handling, smart navigation, and teamwork in the ever changing weather.
We’ll make our way past famous landmarks like Point Danger and Cape Byron, with an arrival into Pittwater in New South Wales, as our rewarding conclusion to the passage. Whether you're a seasoned sailor or a novice, the Gold Coast to Pittwater passage promises high-intensity action, memorable experiences, and the chance to see the spectacular natural beauty of Australia’s east coast.
Event registration
Secure your place on this adventure with a 20-50% deposit / All prices in AUD
Current price release: Early Bird
Pre-release - sold out
SHARED CABIN: early bird $2,750 pp
Final Release $3,750 pp
ACTIVITIES INCLUDED
Click the link above to review examples from previous sailing events across New Zealand, Australia and the Pacific Islands.
Watch IMOCA OPen 60 Racing Webinar Replay
Join Sharon Ferris-Choat and David Hows as they dive into what makes our offshore racing events an unforgettable experience. Whether you dream of competing in an iconic race or want to test yourself in an adrenaline-pumping passage, this webinar will show you how you can take part – full training provided!
itinerary
You'll fly into Gold Coast or Brisbane Airport on the 1st of April 2025. We'll have a crew welcome dinner that night and get final preparations for training departure underway. On the 2nd of April we'll do crew training and we expect to depart Southport on the 3rd.
We’ll aim to be tied up in at Pittwater on the 6th of April and you can plan to depart Sydney Airport on the 7th of April onwards.
Arrive at the vessel in Southport by 12pm on 1/4/25
Crew welcome dinner on 1/4/25
Crew training and safety familiarisation 1-2/4/25
Depart Southport Marina around 10am on 3/4/25
Arrive in Pittwater on 6/4/25
Depart Sydney Airport on 7/4/25
HERE’S WHAT YOU WILL EXPERIENCE ONBOARD
Sailing: Hoisting, trimming and reefing both upwind (main, genoas, and jibs) and downwind sails (poled out headsails, spinnakers, gennakers and code 0’s (subject to weather).
Watch duties: Acting as watch captain (day and night), helming, navigating, checking weather and monitoring AIS and radar and for both traffic and rain squalls.
Weather: Downloading and analysing the latest weather forecasts and calculating best route to destination.
Navigation: Navigating, hazard identification, entering waypoints and calculating updated ETA’s.
Leadership: Watch roster planning, matching responsibility to experience, crew management and communication.
Safety: Familiarisation of all safety procedures, sail planning, storm preparation planning and abandon ship procedures.
Training: Use of PDF’s (Personal Flotation Devices), PLB’s (Personal Locator Beacons), safety tethers, dan buoy’s, storm drogue, liferaft and any other equipment required to ensure you remain safe in all conditions.
Personal wellbeing: Advice on how to take responsibility for managing clothing, hydration, sleep and nutrition to maintain your health and well being aboard.
Passage planning: Planning our arrival and route to safe harbour including timing with daylight (if required), weather factors, navigational hazards, communications / customs and sail/motor arrival plan.
Click the links above to review examples from previous sailing events across New Zealand, Australia and the Pacific Islands.
Inclusions
Your crew package includes; all meals onboard, crew meals in Southport and in Pittwater on day of arrival, accommodation onboard from day of departure, your Ocean Sailing Expeditions crew shirt, an Ocean Sailing Expeditions crew jacket, marina fees, race entry fees, the use of a PFD (personal floatation device), PLB (personal locator beacon), and a safety tether.
Exclusions
Your crew package excludes; accommodation ashore, meals ashore at restaurants other than official crew dinners, flights and transport to and from departure and arrival ports, alcohol, toiletries, clothing and wet weather gear. It’s always recommended that you book flights with date flexibility in case of unforeseen changes due to weather or schedules.
Its always recommended that you book flights with date flexibility incase of unforeseen changes due to weather or schedules.
Accommodation
Accommodation is not available onboard, while in port prior to departure, due to the sparse nature of the race yacht fit out, lack of ventilation and lack of amenities onboard.
Prior to departure on a passage, you will need to book 2-nights’ accommodation ashore. You will stay onboard for the duration of the passage, while at sea and 1 night (optional) after arrival in port at the end of the passage.
We provide optional pre-departure accommodation, transport (to and from marina) and in-house meals packages for our crew, that you can purchase here. There are limited pre-booked packages available for each event, so please book early to secure a place.
Here are suggested accommodation options ashore, should you wish to arrange your own: AirBNB, Booking.com, Wotif & HomeAway.
Eligibility
Best suited to agile, people with moderate fitness and ideally a maximum weight of 110kg.
