Join our sailing expedition from Thursday Island to Darwin on a 72-foot yacht — Ocean Sailing Expeditions My title

thursday island to darwin

AUSTRALIAN expedition / 21 days / cat 2 sailing expedition / 900nm / leg 5

Overview

Join Ocean Sailing Expeditions for an unforgettable 21-day voyage through the remote and spectacular northern reaches of Australia. From Thursday Island in the Torres Strait to the vibrant city of Darwin, this once-in-a-lifetime adventure blends cultural immersion, breathtaking landscapes, and exhilarating ocean exploration.

Sailing from Thursday Island, a hub of Torres Strait culture and history, we’ll uncover the rich traditions, music, and heritage of the region. Stops at Horn Island’s WWII sites and the rugged Cape York Peninsula provide insight into Australia’s past and its untamed wilderness. As we sail further west, the crystal-clear waters of Gove Harbour offer exceptional opportunities for diving, fishing, and marine exploration.

The journey continues through Wigram Island, the Wessel Islands, and Croker Island, where Indigenous communities preserve ancient traditions amid pristine landscapes and secluded beaches. The Coburg Peninsula reveals an untouched sanctuary of wildlife, while Bathurst Island offers a chance to connect with Tiwi culture, art, and ceremonies.

Our final stop, Darwin, welcomes us with its tropical energy, rich history, and cosmopolitan charm—the perfect conclusion to a journey through some of Australia's most remote and awe-inspiring destinations.

Aboard our well-equipped sailing yacht, you'll enjoy comfortable accommodations and a dedicated crew ensuring an exceptional experience. This is more than a holiday—it’s an exploration of culture, history, and the wild beauty of Australia’s northern coastline.

Set sail with Ocean Sailing Expeditions and experience a journey where the sea, land, and stories of the past intertwine into an extraordinary adventure.

passage destination options

Thursday Island

Thursday Island is the spirited hub of the Torres Strait, blending rich history with vibrant Indigenous culture. As a historical pearl diving base, it offers a unique glimpse into the pearling industry and the diverse communities drawn by the pearl rush. Today, its cultural significance is showcased in museums, art galleries, and the annual cultural festival, which celebrates Torres Strait Islander heritage. Sailing into Thursday Island's harbor, you're welcomed by breathtaking views of the surrounding turquoise waters and neighboring islands. It’s a gateway to exploring the Torres Strait's archipelago, offering sailors a rich tapestry of cultural experiences, stunning seascapes, and the warm hospitality of its community.

Horn Island

Horn Island, known for its significant role during World War II, offers a poignant look into Australia's military history with well-preserved remnants and a dedicated museum. Its rugged landscapes and crystal-clear waters are perfect for adventurers. Sailing here provides an opportunity to explore historical sites, engage with the welcoming local community, and discover hidden beaches where the beauty of the Torres Strait can be enjoyed in solitude. The island’s rich history, coupled with its natural beauty, makes it a compelling destination for those interested in Australia’s wartime legacy and the serene allure of island life.

Cape York Peninsula

Cape York Peninsula is one of Australia's last great wilderness areas, offering rugged landscapes, remote beaches, and a rich tapestry of Indigenous culture. Sailing around the peninsula provides a unique perspective on its untouched beauty, from the iconic tip at the northernmost point of the Australian continent to the lush rainforests and wild rivers. The journey is a true adventure, with opportunities to anchor in secluded bays, fish in pristine waters, and explore the rich biodiversity. The Cape's Indigenous communities offer insights into traditional ways of living, making it a deeply enriching experience for those seeking connection with Australia's ancient cultures and landscapes.

Gove Harbour

Gove Harbour, located in the northeast of Arnhem Land, is a gateway to the rich cultural and natural wonders of the Yolŋu people's homeland. Its waters are renowned for their beauty and abundance of marine life, making it a haven for fishing, sailing, and diving. The harbor provides access to the stunning landscapes of Arnhem Land, with its ancient rock art, remote communities, and wild, untouched beauty. Sailing into Gove Harbour not only offers breathtaking natural sceneries but also a unique opportunity to engage with Indigenous culture through community visits and art centers, providing a deeply meaningful and respectful exploration of this sacred land.

Wigram Island

Wigram Island, part of the English Company Islands in the Arafura Sea, is a secluded paradise offering unparalleled privacy and natural beauty. Its pristine beaches, azure waters, and the surrounding coral reefs are a dream for sailors, snorkelers, and those seeking tranquility away from the beaten path. The island’s isolation makes it a perfect retreat for wildlife watching, with sea turtles, seabirds, and a myriad of marine life calling these waters home. Wigram Island’s untouched landscapes offer a rare chance to immerse oneself in the serene beauty of the Australian wilderness, making it an unforgettable stop for yachts exploring the Northern Territory's remote islands.

Wessel Islands

The Wessel Islands are a chain of wild, rugged islands stretching along the northern edge of Arnhem Land. Their isolation and the stunning natural beauty make them a fascinating destination for sailors. The islands boast incredible biodiversity, both on land and in the surrounding waters, including significant turtle nesting sites. The ancient Indigenous rock art hidden among the islands provides a mysterious glimpse into Australia's deep history. Sailing through the Wessel Islands offers an adventure into remote, untouched Australia, where the spirit of exploration leads to discoveries of natural wonders and ancient cultures.

Croker Island

Croker Island, with its rich Indigenous culture and history, offers a unique blend of natural beauty and cultural heritage. The island's community is known for its strong cultural traditions and welcoming spirit. Sailing to Croker Island allows visitors to experience the vibrant Indigenous culture through art, music, and storytelling. The surrounding waters are teeming with marine life, providing excellent opportunities for fishing and observing sea turtles and dugongs. Croker Island's untouched beaches and mangroves offer peaceful anchorages and the chance to explore the serene landscapes of the Northern Territory.

Coburg Peninsula

Coburg Peninsula, part of the Garig Gunak Barlu National Park, is a remote and spectacularly beautiful area offering some of the best fishing, wildlife watching, and pristine environments in Australia. The peninsula's rugged coastlines, sandy beaches, and extensive coral reefs provide a haven for an incredible array of marine and bird life. Sailing around the Coburg Peninsula, visitors can explore ancient Indigenous sites, encounter unique wildlife, and experience the tranquility of untouched landscapes. Its status as a protected area ensures that its natural and cultural values are preserved, offering a unique opportunity for respectful and sustainable exploration.

Bathurst Island

Bathurst Island, together with its neighbor Melville Island, forms part of the Tiwi Islands. Known for their rich Indigenous culture, the Tiwi people welcome visitors with traditional ceremonies and offer insights into their art, history, and lifestyle. Sailing to Bathurst Island presents an opportunity to engage with the vibrant Tiwi culture, renowned for its unique art and carvings. The island's landscapes are equally captivating, with pristine beaches, dense forests, and abundant wildlife. A visit to Bathurst Island is not just a journey into a beautiful natural environment but also an enriching cultural experience.

Darwin

Darwin, the dynamic capital of the Northern Territory, combines modern amenities with a close connection to nature and a deep-rooted history. Its strategic location makes it an ideal starting point for sailing adventures into the Timor Sea or along Australia’s northern coast. The city’s multicultural vibe is reflected in its food, festivals, and art, offering sailors a warm welcome and a chance to replenish supplies before venturing to more remote locations. Darwin’s WWII history, Indigenous culture, and national parks like Litchfield and Kakadu are easily accessible, making it a comprehensive destination that blends urban experiences with the call of the wild.

ACTIVITIES INCLUDED

HERE’S WHAT YOU’LL 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.

OCEAN SAILING PODCAST

EPISODE 118: MATT HARVEY / DAVID HOWS - AUSTRALIAN CIRCUMNAVIGATION REVIEW: 8,500NM IN 4 MONTHS

Skippers David Hows and Matt Harvey catch up to review their 2-yacht circumnavigation of Australia in 2023. With 8,500nm covered in just 4 months, they share the highs and lows of covering the 7th largest coastline in the world. The event was spread over 5 legs and 102 crew in total, across the two 72-foot yachts; Silver Fern and Salt Lines, including 3 circumnavigators that completed all 5 legs. With 4,600 meals prepared, it was a planning exercise of military proportions.

With engine failures, crocodiles, storms and boat fatigue to deal with, sailing some sections of this vast country are not for the faint hearted. The stunning Great Barrier Reef, North Queensland islands and reefs, Cape York, Thursday Island, the Kimberley’s, 9 metre tides in Broome, the Montebello Island Group, the Great Australian Bight and the wilderness of Tasmania, there is just so much thats remote and incredible to explore.

Press the play button to listen, or play in Spotify or Apple Podcasts

SAILING.BLOG

Read the sailing.blog articles from last circumnavigation

Review sailing calendar for all events