Sydney to elizabeth Reef, Middleton Reef, Norfolk Island & Auckland / 1,600nm / 1 - 16 Oct 2022
16 days / Cat O expedition / Salt lines: CREW full waitlist only
The Category 0 ocean passage from Sydney, New South Wales, Australia to Elizabeth Reef, Middleton Reef, Norfolk Island, Opua and Auckland New Zealand is a true explorers expedition. We depart Sydney and head 470nm NE to Elizabeth Reef. This 6nm long reef rises up from the 3,000 metre deep Tasman Sea floor and is visible at low tide. We will time our anchorage inside the platform reef for low tide so we can go ashore and explore the reef before its covered again at high tide. Imagine standing on a reef thats 300nm off the East Coast of Australia with nothing but the Tasman Sea in every direction!
When we depart Elizabeth Reef we’ll head 30nm north for a circumnavigation of the notorious Middleton Reef, one of two the southernmost platform reefs in the world. It’s claimed more than 70 vessels in the past 100 years with some wrecks still visible. The next leg is to the stunning South Pacific jewel: Norfolk Island where we will anchor and go ashore, clear Australian Customs and take a tour of the island and take in the rich history dating back to the early convict inhabitants. This expedition will have some unique sights including seeing ship wrecks visible on top of the Middleton Reef, turquoise blue lagoons, amazing sea life and the dramatic waterfront convict prisons of Norfolk Island.
Our final leg is to Opua in the Bay of Islands of New Zealand, where we will complete border clearance formalities before departing for Auckland, New Zealand’s ‘City of Sails.
With nothing but open ocean from the bottom of Australia/New Zealand to Antartica; 1,000nm to the south, the ocean swell can build in height with no land to stop it for more than 2,500nm until it hits the shores of the Pacific Islands. There are many reasons why more people have climbed Mount Everest than have sailed across the Tasman Sea and the rapidly changing nature of the Tasman Sea's weather system is one of them.
Our skippers have sailed across the Tasman Sea twelve times (two solo), the keys to success include waiting for the weather window, downloading live weather en-route and sailing a vessel thats easy to mode for all wind and swell conditions. Despite its reputation for extreme conditions, the Tasman Sea is easy to cross safely if you stay clear of the winter storm season (late May to August) and wait for a safe weather window. It’s an absolute bucket-list voyage and a hugely satisfying personal achievement.
Secure your place on the crew with a 20% deposit.
AUD$8,750
16 days
The 1,600nm route from Sydney to Elizabeth & Middleton Reefs, Norfolk Island, Opua and Auckland
Additional media
Check out photo gallery highlights from previous Middleton Reef and Elizabeth Reef and Norfolk Island passages.
HERES WHAT YOU WILL EXPERIENCE ONBOARD
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).
Acting as watch captain (day and night), helming, navigating, checking weather and monitoring AIS and radar and for both traffic and rain squalls.
Downloading and analysing the latest weather forecasts and calculating best route to destination.
Navigating, hazard identification, entering waypoints and calculating updated ETA’s.
Routine checks of bilges, engine, electrical systems, sails and hardware for preventative maintenance.
Watch roster planning, matching responsibility to experience, crew management and communication.
Familiarisation of all safety procedures, sail planning, storm preparation planning and abandon ship procedures.
Training in the 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.
Advice on how to take responsibility for managing clothing, hydration, sleep and nutrition to maintain your health and well being aboard.
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.
Multi-day, offshore passage making 24/7 on a significant Category 1 offshore passage.
Itinery
You can fly directly into Sydney on or before the 1st of October 2022. You are welcome to stay onboard from the date you arrive in Sydney, but if you plan to arrive prior to the 1st of October, you may need to arrange accommodation ashore. 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 on the 2nd of October onwards for training and final preparations and we will aim to depart (subject to weather) on the 3rd of October and sail NE towards Elizabeth Reef for a brief stop to go ashore, then a sailpast of Middleton Reef before heading east to Norfolk Island where we’ll anchor and go ashore. From Norfolk Island we head 400nm SE to Opua, New Zealand where we will clear customs before continuing on to our final port of Auckland. You can plan to depart out of Auckland Airport on or after the 17th of October 2022
Inclusions
Your crew package includes; all meals onboard, crew meals in Sydney, Norfolk Island, Opua and Auckland on arrival, 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.
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 a 2-day Sea Safety and Survival Training Course or equivalent at least 1 month prior.
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