Gold coast to airlie Beach / 600nm / 20 - 29 Jun 2024

9 DAYS / cat 2 OFFSHORE PASSAGE /EVENT #2440 / magic miles: CREW positions available

Take a stunning 600nm+ Category 2 ocean passage from the sunny Gold Coast, up Queensland's East Coast through the sparkling Whitsunday Islands of the Great Barrier Reef to Airlie Beach. We'll assess the weather conditions to decide whether we sail up the eastern or western side of Stradbroke Islands, Moreton Island and the the world's largest sand island; 'Fraser Island and overnight at two or three of the islands such as; Lady Musgrave Reef, Middle Percy Island and Scawfell Island and/or coastal marina’s on the passage.

At this time of the year thousands of whales head up and down the Australian East Coast and whale sightings along with dolphins and sea turtles are a common occurrence so bring your camera.

Secure your place on the crew with a 20% deposit.

Join crew

AUD$5,250
PRIVATE CABIN: AUD$14,175 (INCLUDES 3 BERTHs)

9 days

The 600nm eastern route from the Gold Coast to Airlie Beach

ACTIVITIES INCLUDED

Click the links above to review examples from previous sailing events across New Zealand, Australia and the Pacific Islands.

ADDITIONAL MEDIA

Check out photo gallery highlights from a previous passage.

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.

Itinery

You'll fly into either Brisbane or Gold Coast Airport on the 20th of June 2024. We'll have a crew welcome dinner that night and complete final preparations for departure the next day. On the 21st we'll depart through the Southport Seaway and head north, up the Queensland East Coast, through the Whitsunday Islands to Airlie Beach Island.

It’s a navigators minefield with islands, reefs, whales, commercial ships, pleasure boats and the Australian Navy to watch out. This voyage normally takes 7-8 days sailing time to complete and we'll break it up with some overnight stops in sheltered islands, bays or at a marina along the way.

On the way north we'll assess the weather conditions and tide times to decide whether we sail down the eastern or western side of the Stradbroke Islands, Moreton Island and the world's largest sand island; 'Fraser Island'. The inside (western) route has additional navigation challenges including crossing the notorious Wide Bay Bar at the southern tip of Fraser Island.

We would expect to arrive at Airlie Beach on the 28th of June and you should plan to fly out of Airlie Beach (Proserpine) on or after the 29th of June.

Inclusions

Your crew package includes; all meals onboard, crew meals ashore in the Gold Coast and at Airlie Beach , accommodation onboard, your Ocean Sailing Expeditions crew shirt, marina fees, the use of a PFD (personal floatation device), PLB (personal locator beacon), and a safety tether. Your bedding, a pillow and towel is also included along with suncream.

Private Cabins

There are 2 and 3 berth options available in singles in doubles. If you reserve a 3-berth cabin for the use of 2 or less people, the rate is still the 3-berth rate, less a 10% discount. If you reserve a 2-berth cabin for the use of 1 person, the rate is still the 2-berth rate, less a 10% discount.

Exclusions

Your crew package excludes; accommodation ashore, flights and transport to and from departure and arrival ports, alcohol, toiletries, clothing and wet weather gear.

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, Hamilton Island & HomeAway.