Australian Circumnavigation / 7,500nm / 30 jul - 20 Nov 2023
5 legs / cat 1 passage / SILVER FERN & SALT LINES / CREW FULL WAITLIST ONLY
The 7,500nm circumnavigation of Australia includes multiple bays, islands and harbours as stopover points (click image to enlarge)
With the 7th longest coastline in the world and bigger than the USA, China and Antartica the circumnavigation of Australia’s Coastline promises to be our most epic challenge so far. The expedition is split into 5 legs totalling 7,500nm and you can join us onboard for any number (or all) of these.
With regular stopovers at memorable ports, islands and bays en-route, this challenge is as much about each leg of the journey, as it is about the destination. Despite Silver Fern’s ability to average 180 - 200nm+ days, we have planned an average of 90 - 100nm per day on each leg to allow 40% of the leg time for multiple stopovers at selected ‘must see’ scenic spots to ensure we have time to take in the natural beauty and iconic landmarks of Australia along the way.
The 5 legs of this 2023 Australian Circumnavigation are;
Southport (QLD) to Cairns (QLD) 850nm / 10 days / Leg completed
Cairns (QLD) to Darwin (NT) 1,250nm / 14 days / Leg completed
Darwin (NT) to Perth (WA) 1,875nm / 18 days /Leg completed
Perth (WA) to Adelaide (SA) to Melbourne (VIC) 1,925nm / 19 days / Crew full, waitlist only
Melbourne (VIC) to Hobart (TAS) to Sydney (NSW) to Southport (QLD) 1,600nm / 16 days / Crew full, waitlist only
Silver Fern
Salt Lines
Explore our stopover options and images with this interactive Google Map
This map of 104 anchorages detail some of the potential stopover spots and safe harbours to be utilised enroute
Itinery
Leg 1: Southport to Cairns / 850nm / $5,750
30 July - 9 August 2023 / 10 days
Leg completed
You can fly directly into Gold Coast or Brisbane airports on or before the 30th of July 2023. When you arrive we'll familiarise you with the yacht, systems and safety equipment and you will join us for a crew welcome dinner. Our crew will officially assemble from the 31st July onwards at the Southport Yacht Club and we will aim to depart (subject to weather) by mid afternoon on on the the 31st July once training is completed.
You are welcome to stay onboard from the date you arrive but if you plan to arrive prior to 30th of July, you may need to arrange accommodation ashore. If you join the crew for multiple legs, you are welcome to stay onboard in between consecutive legs. The goal for the leg is to sail to Cairns by the 9th of August with selecting stopovers enroute, that included planning around adverse weather and iconic places of interest. You can plan to fly out of Cairns from 10th of August onwards.
Leg 2: Cairns to Darwin / Event #2312 / 1,250nm / $8,250
18 August - 1 September 2023 / 14 days
Leg completed
You can fly directly into Cairns airport on or before the 18th of August 2023. When you arrive we'll familiarise you with the yacht, systems and safety equipment and you will join us for a crew welcome dinner. Our crew will officially assemble from the 19th of August onwards at a Cairns marina and we will aim to depart (subject to weather) by mid afternoon on on the the 19th of August once training is completed.
You are welcome to stay onboard from the date you arrive but if you plan to arrive prior to 18th of August, you may need to arrange accommodation ashore. If you join the crew for multiple legs, you are welcome to stay onboard in between consecutive legs. The goal for the leg is to sail to Darwin by the 1st of September with selecting stopovers enroute, that included planning around adverse weather and iconic places of interest. You can plan to fly out of Darwin from 2nd of September onwards.
Leg 3: Darwin to Perth / Event #2313 / 1,875nm / $12,500
10 - 28 September 2023 / 18 days
Leg completed
You can fly directly into Darwin airport on or before the 10th of September 2023. When you arrive we'll familiarise you with the yacht, systems and safety equipment and you will join us for a crew welcome dinner. Our crew will officially assemble from the 11th of September onwards at a Darwin marina and we will aim to depart (subject to weather) by mid afternoon on on the the 11th of September once training is completed.
You are welcome to stay onboard from the date you arrive but if you plan to arrive prior to 10th of September, you may need to arrange accommodation ashore. If you join the crew for multiple legs, you are welcome to stay onboard in between consecutive legs. The goal for the leg is to sail to Perth by the 28th of September with selecting stopovers enroute, that included planning around adverse weather and iconic places of interest. You can plan to fly out of Perth from 29th of September onwards.
Leg 4: Perth to Adelaide to Melbourne / Event #2314 / 1,925nm / $12,500
7 - 26 October 2023 / 19 days
Crew full, waitlist only
You can fly directly into Perth airport on or before the 7th of October 2023. When you arrive we'll familiarise you with the yacht, systems and safety equipment and you will join us for a crew welcome dinner. Our crew will officially assemble from the 8th of October onwards at a nearby marina and we will aim to depart (subject to weather) by mid afternoon on on the the 8th of October once training is completed.
You are welcome to stay onboard from the date you arrive but if you plan to arrive prior to 7th of October, you may need to arrange accommodation ashore. If you join the crew for multiple legs, you are welcome to stay onboard in between consecutive legs. The goal for the leg is to sail to Adelaide and onto Melbourne by the 26th of October with selecting stopovers enroute, that included planning around adverse weather and iconic places of interest. You can plan to fly out of Melbourne from 27th of October onwards.
Leg 5: Melbourne to Hobart to Sydney to Southport / Event #2318 / 1,600nm / $10,250
4 - 20 November 2023 / 16 days
Crew full, waitlist only
You can fly directly into Melbourne airport on or before the 4th of November 2023. When you arrive we'll familiarise you with the yacht, systems and safety equipment and you will join us for a crew welcome dinner. Our crew will officially assemble from the 5th of November onwards at a nearby marina and we will aim to depart (subject to weather) by mid afternoon on on the the 5th of November once training is completed.
You are welcome to stay onboard from the date you arrive but if you plan to arrive prior to 4th of November, you may need to arrange accommodation ashore. If you join the crew for multiple legs, you are welcome to stay onboard in between consecutive legs. The goal for the leg is to sail to Hobart, then Sydney and onto Southport by the 20th of November with selecting stopovers enroute, that included planning around adverse weather and iconic places of interest. You can plan to fly out of Gold Coast or Brisbane airports from 21st of November onwards.
Join the crew for the entire circumnavigation (5 legs) Full price $49,250 - Not Available
Crew full waitlist only
Inclusions
Your crew package includes; all meals onboard, crew meals in all anchorages and ports, accommodation onboard, your Ocean Sailing Expeditions crew shirt, marina fees, the use of a PFD (personal flotation device), PLB (personal locator beacon), and a safety tether. Your bedding, a pillow and towel are also included along with suncream.
Exclusions
Your crew package excludes; accommodation ashore, flights and transport to and from departure and arrival ports, alcohol, toiletries, clothing and wet weather gear. You will need to complete either a 5-hour online or 2-day classroom based Sea Safety and Survival Training Course or equivalent prior to departure.
Its always recommended that you book flights with date flexibility incase of unforeseen changes due to weather or schedules. Accommodation options if you want to stay ashore either side of trip: AirBNB, Booking.com, Wotif & HomeAway.
Review sailing calendar for all events