The Islands and Ports of Bass Strait Expedition

The Islands and Ports of Bass Strait Expedition Expedition Cruising

Overview
Location

Event date: 22/01/2024
Event end: 5/02/2024
When: JAN-MAR
Duration: 2 weeks

The Islands and Ports of Bass Strait / 620nm / 14 Days/ CAT 1 Expedition

The Islands and Ports of Bass Strait Expedition is a Cat 1 620nm exploration of the islands, harbours and ports of the notorious, yet history rich Bass Strait set between mainland Australia and its most southern island state of Tasmania and finishing with a sail down the east coast of Tasmania to the port of Hobart.

This expedition in bad weather can be one of the most extreme challenges we undertake. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity to undertake one of the world’s more adventurous and spectacular passage sailing experiences.

It is not for the fainthearted and there is no guarantee of stopovers at all the desired locations. It will depend on extensive preparation and considerable perseverance and the weather conditions we are dealt en-passage.

The route and recommended anchorages are based on careful research, professional meteorological advice and leveraging detailed local sailing knowledge.

Difficulty Level:

Tough

Price:

6750 AUD $

Book on Ocean Gem 445

Boats
Program
Tips
Inclusions
Exclusions

Select options

< 50 feet
Silver Fern 72 ft expedition yacht
€1,194.00 – €5,663.00

Pay Deposit

The Islands and Ports of Bass Strait / 620nm / 22 Jan – 5 Feb 2024 / 14 Days / CAT 1 Eexpedition

You can fly directly into Devonport Airport on or before Monday 22nd January and you will join us for a crew dinner ashore. On Tuesday 23rd we’ll meet for breakfast, then familiarise you with the yacht, systems and safety equipment and get you ready for departure before aiming to leave by the dock around midday Tuesday 23rd January. We will aim sail into Hobart on 4th February and you should aim to depart out of Hobart Airport on or after the 5th of February.

The Tasmanian coastline includes some of the most extreme maritime scenery in Australia. The voyage starts at the city of Devonport on the Mersey River, before sailing west to a visit to the fishing village of Stanley nestling under The Nut.

As we sail past the NW corner we’ll aim to stop at Three Hummock Island or Hunter Island to await a suitable weather window for the sail to King Island famous for its cheese, lobsters and beef exports. The big leg of the expedition is eastbound across Bass Strait to either Deal Island or Flinders Island to our next anchorage in the Furneaux Group where we will spend time anchored in a number of bays and exploring ashore.

On the final passage south to Hobart we will stop at Wineglass Bay, before sailing through the stunning Schouten Passage, south past Maria Island and past the unforgettable views of the towering dolerite cliffs of Cape Raoul, Cape Pillar and Tasman Island to a stopover at the nineteenth-century convict settlement of Port Arthur. The last leg to Hobart will finish with an end-of-adventure dinner at the Customs House on the Hobart Waterfront.

Tips

Tourism Tasmania has developed the Discover Tasmania Website as a hub for people who are planning to visit, have visited, or simply have a great love for holidays in Tasmania. Here you’ll find general information and tips on travelling in Tasmania, as well as plenty of images, stories and tips that help capture the Tasmanian experience. We hope it will serve as a useful resource for your experiences.

Your crew package includes:

all meals onboard
meal ashore in Devonport, Hobart and various stopovers
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.

Your crew package excludes:

accommodation ashore
meals ashore after departure
flights and transport to and from departure and arrival ports and visas
alcohol
toiletries
clothing and wet weather gear

You will need to complete a 2-day Sea Safety and Survival Training Course or equivalent Category 1 Course at least 2 months prior.

Its always recommended that you book flights with date flexibility in case 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.

Boats

Select options

< 50 feet
Silver Fern 72 ft expedition yacht
€1,194.00 – €5,663.00

Pay Deposit

Program

The Islands and Ports of Bass Strait / 620nm / 22 Jan – 5 Feb 2024 / 14 Days / CAT 1 Eexpedition

Tips

Tips

Inclusions

Your crew package includes:

all meals onboard
meal ashore in Devonport, Hobart and various stopovers
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
meals ashore after departure
flights and transport to and from departure and arrival ports and visas
alcohol
toiletries
clothing and wet weather gear

You will need to complete a 2-day Sea Safety and Survival Training Course or equivalent Category 1 Course at least 2 months prior.

Our Guests Experiences

Alex Lomakin

I have learnt a lot over this time, be it regattas, twilight racing, ocean racing, delivery trips; it’s all been a fantastic time.

Guy Reeve

Sailing 800nm with David Hows on Ocean Gem from Southport to Lord Howe Island and Pittwater via Middleton and Elizabeth Reefs was an absolute blast and one of my all-time top trips, with conditions ranging from challenging to cruisy.

Peter Chapman

Having done a little sailing many years ago, I jumped at the chance to crew on David Hows’ Ocean Gem in ‘Twilight’ and offshore races out of Southport Yacht Club.

Kris Hook

I have completed more than 2,000nm of ocean passages as a crew member on Ocean Gem. In this time I’ve experienced a very committed skipper who always puts the safety of the crew and the boat at top of the list.

Joanne Harpur

Offshore sailing is not always fun, it can be cold, tiring, and unforgiving. Would I sail with David Hows on Ocean Gem again? Absolutely.

Kevin Holland

David is a true gentleman, a wonderful mentor and the type of person I aspire to be like. Nothing was a problem for him or the others. I never was made to feel bad for making mistakes and this provided an opportunity to improve, improvise and learn.

Lena Padukova

On our recent Trans-Tasman passage from Auckland to Southport, David again proved he is a great skipper, very competent, skilful and high-performing, but also respectful and patient. His organisational skills are exemplary; nothing is left to chance. He’s a competent leader and a great guy.

Mike Stone

Highlights for me were the great company, all the sailing experiences I could handle, the company of dolphins every day and the achievement of an adventure and ocean race, I have dreamed of often over the years and now realised.

April Seymour

David stays calm and totally patient with us taking the time to get the job done without adding any extra pressure or stress. I definitely learned a lot and the experience will make me a better skipper.

Steve Tucker

As a skipper, a team mate and sailor David is exceptional. The environment he creates is relaxed and yet his competitiveness is infectious.

Mark Gallick

Sailing with David Hows was a great experience and made me realise – yes I do want to get another sailboat. David makes everyone feel “safe and comfortable”

Tim Wolff

Sailing on Ocean Gem is the highlight of my week. David’s passion and enthusiasm for sailing Ocean Gem is contagious and has had a positive impact on my life.

Ian Mackay

Ian Mackay about Benedikt Clauberg, skipper of Beneteau First 47.7 Kali “I wanted to thank you for a great sailing experience in the Round Barbados Race”

Christy MacLeod

Three words to describe my experience with Sail Race Crew: Experts, Education, Adventure! The foundation is a wonderful feeling of welcome and support.

Natasha Edwards

It was an experience of epic proportions. The support and encouragement by skipper David Hows was brilliant. There is something compelling about the ocean.

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