At a Glance
Chase the race, experience a nautical tradition…
Experience the nautical tradition that is the Sydney to Hobart yacht race, with this 7-day cruise that gets you as close to the action as possible aboard the luxurious Coral Discoverer.
While most people wake up early on 26 December for Boxing Day sales, a handful of intrepid sailors wake up earlier for an even more daunting challenge. One of the world’s most difficult and prestigious yacht races, the Sydney to Hobart is an annual event that sees maxi yachts and weekend racers from around the world tackle 628 nautical miles of sea separating Nielsen Park in Sydney Harbour and Hobart’s Battery Point. The race includes the treacherously choppy and windy Bass Strait, the stretch of sea separating Tasmania from the mainland.
Embarking in Broken Bay ...
Trip Highlights
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What's Included
- 6-night Expedition Voyage aboard Coral Discoverer
- Expert Expedition Team, including Guest Lecturer
- Guided excursions on the Xplorer, Zodiac tender vessels, and kayaks where conditions allow
- Small batch local dining, prepared fresh onboard
- Showcase wines, selected beers and soft drinks with lunch and dinner service
- 24-hour coffee and selection of teas
- Pre-cruise transfer
- All entrance fees to National Parks and Ports
Itinerary
A complimentary coach transfer takes you from Wynard Station in Sydney’s CBD to Coral Discoverer’s embarkation point in Palm Beach, Broken Bay. Crew will meet and transfer you via tender to the vessel for a 10:00am departure. From the Xplorer Bar, celebrate the start of the Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race and watch the fleet round the heads and sail south. |
Cruise the scenic coastline from Sydney and, depending on weather, make stops at Jervis Bay and/or Twofold Bay. With some of the whitest sand beaches in the world and gentle aqua waters, both bays are ideal for swimming. As you cruise, your guest lecturer will present commentary on the Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race and share information on yachting and maritime history. Sip a cold drink on deck, watch the yachts, and learn a thing or two! |
Today, you will cross Bass Strait, the stretch of water separating Tasmania from the mainland. Approximately 240-kilometres at its narrowest point and generally around 50-metres deep, the strait has a well-deserved reputation as one of the most treacherous bodies of water in the world. A combination of shallow seas, currents, and weather systems has brought many a race to an end. Thankfully, aboard Coral Discoverer, you are in very safe hands. Look on in wonder as the yachts chart their way across, employing some of the most impressive sailing techniques you will ever see. |
Spend the day exploring Maria Island, a natural wildlife sanctuary and offshore retreat with historic ruins, sweeping bays, dramatic cliffs and plenty of stories to tell. Located off Tasmania’s east coast, Maria Island is home to the most intact example of a convict probation station in Australia. Visit the World Heritage-Listed Darlington settlement, part of the ‘Convict Trail of Australia’, and gain an insight into the lives of the early settlers in a restored 19th century penitentiary. When you’re done exploring the ruins, take an enchanting walk to the dramatic Painted and Fossil Cliffs. The Painted Cliffs will impress with patterns and streaks with iron oxide layers, while the Fossil Cliffs feature some of the most prolific and best-preserved fossils you will see in Tasmania, if not the world. |
Spend the day exploring Bruny Island, home to some of Tasmania’s most beautifully preserved natural environments with abundant wildlife and stunning clifftop views. Head to the eastern end of the picturesque Adventure Bay, where you will have the opportunity to walk the Fluted Cape Circuit. The trail begins with a stroll along a stunning white sand beach before entering dry Eucalypt forest packed with tall Blue Gums. For the next 30-mintues, the trail edges along the coast of crystal blue waters, passing through sections of dense Sheoak forest before reaching Grass Point. Used as a whaling area between 1820-40, this area is dotted with pioneering relics. If you would prefer not to make the walk, stay on the vessel for a close-up view of Penguin Island. |
Arrive into Hobart in time for the Sydney to Hobart race celebrations on New Year’s Eve. Enjoy farewell drinks with the Captain, and welcome in the New Year with a view of the fireworks display over the Derwent River. |
All good things must come to an end! After breakfast, say farewell to the crew and disembark at 9:00am to commence your onward journey. NOTE: The itinerary is indicative. No two expedition cruises will be the same, with each expedition crafted by the experienced Masters and Expedition Leaders. Throughout the expedition we may make changes to the itinerary as necessary to maximise your expeditionary experience. Allowances may be made for seasonal variations, weather, tidal conditions and any other event that may affect the operation of the vessel. We suggest that you do not arrive on the day of embarkation or depart on the day of disembarkation due to any changes that may occur in scheduling. |
Accommodation
Dates & Prices
2022 Cabin Type & Fares
Bridge Deck Balcony Stateroom - $6,920pp, twin share
Promenade Deck (Category A) - $6,430pp, twin share
Promenade Deck (Category B) - $5,930pp, twin share
Main Deck (Category A) - $5,440pp, twin share
Main Deck (Category B) - $4,940pp, twin share
2023 Cabin Type & Fares
Bridge Deck Balcony Stateroom - $7,060pp, twin share
Promenade Deck (Category A) - $6,550pp, twin share
Promenade Deck (Category B) - $6,050pp, twin share
Main Deck (Category A) - $5,540pp, twin share
Main Deck (Category B) - $5,040pp, twin share
Please enquire about available cabin type.
More Info
The departure point is Sydney, New South Wales.
The finish point is Hobart, Tasmania.
Australia’s East Coast enjoys a pleasant climate, though temperatures can soar to above 40 degrees Celsius in Summer.
Likewise, Tasmania has four distinct seasons, with the warmest months being December to March. The average maximum daily summer temperatures are between 17 and 23 degrees Celsius and winter daily temperatures sit between 3 and 11 degrees Celsius. Rainfall varies dramatically across the island. The north west has an annual average of 2,400 mm that ensures the rainforest thrives. Regardless of where you travel in Tasmania you should be prepared for sudden, temporary deterioration in the weather, especially if bushwalking. Always carry additional warm clothing, including a waterproof outer layer.
Onlyluxe Travel acts as travel agency and work with different tour operators.
Payment Detail
All pricing is in Australian dollars and are quoted on a per person twin share basis. A supplementary price is available (see below). Bookings are not confirmed until full payment and the signed Booking Form has been received by Onlyluxe Travel.
A non-refundable 30% deposit is payable within 7 days of your booking, with the final balance due 90 days prior to departure. If a booking is made 90 days or less before departure, the full payment is payable immediately. Last minute bookings are payable before arrival. Failure to pay on time may result in automatic cancellation of a booking with cancellation penalties payable to Onlyluxe Travel. If you pay by credit card or PayPal a surcharge will be added to the total price.
Single Supplement
All accommodation is twin share. Single guests will share with someone of the same gender. If a single room is demanded, a supplementary price of will apply. The supplementary price refers to our quotation and needs to be stipulated at the time of booking.
General Cancellation Policies
- Outside of 90 days monies will be refunded less 30% of full fee
- Within 90 days prior to arrival all monies will be forfeited
- No refunds will be given in the event of non-arrival, any unused services or unused nights due to flight or weather disruption
- We strongly recommend guests protect themselves with travel insurance and medical insurance
Please Note: Cancellations must be advised in email and will take effect from the date they are received.
Liability
The participant agrees to indemnify Onlyluxe Travel, and its servant, tour operator and agents, in relation to any liability, loss and damage which the tour operator, or its servants and/or agents may incur as a result of the participants, negligence or misconduct during the tour.
Smoking is not permitted on the bus, or in tents or in other accommodation being used by tour operator at the time that a trip is being conducted.
Child Policy
Please consult travel consultant on age limit.
Changes to Itineraries
Local conditions may necessitate changes to sightseeing, walking and driving routes, camping and accommodation locations. While every effort will be made to provide the services and experiences as offered in our brochure, on our website, and in our trip letters, we reserve the right to vary your itinerary. In the event that we are forced to change your arrangements, substitute arrangements of a similar standard will be provided. The tour operator will not be liable where interruptions to itineraries are caused by weather conditions, technical problems to transport used by the tour operator, industrial action, political or civil commotion or other circumstances beyond our control. We refer you to the conditions regarding travel insurance.
Changes in Prices
While we will do its utmost to honour its pricing unforeseen circumstances may mean that prices may be subject to change without notice.
Pre-Existing Medical Conditions and Age Limits
You need to advise Onlyluxe travel and the tour operator on any pre-existing medical condition, mobility impairment and/or disability that might reasonably be expected to increase the risk of your requiring medical attention, or that might affect the normal conduct of a trip and the enjoyment of other trip members. Onlyluxe Travel and the tour operator may require an assessment of your medical condition from a qualified medical practitioner. If you fail to adequately notify the tour operator of any pre-existing medical conditions and/or disability, the tour operator reserves the right, at its reasonable discretion, to cancel your participation in a trip at any time, including after the commencement of your trip, with no right of refund if your medical condition, mobility impairment and/or disability could be reasonably expected to affect the normal conduct of the trip and the enjoyment of other trip members.
Cancellation by The Tour Operator
The walks take place in very special wilderness settings. The tour operator is at the mercy of nature in all her beauty and all her fury. The tour operator will under no circumstance knowingly place at risk the health and well-being of our guests and guides. In the case of natural threats, acts of God and the like (e.g. bushfires, impassable snow, etc) the tour operator may need to cancel a walk with very little notice. In some cases, this can occur after the walk has commenced. The tour operator reserves the right to cancel any walk up to 60 days prior to departure if a minimum of 4 walkers are unable to meet for a tour. If the tour operator needs to cancel for any reason, the cost of the walk or any other costs associated with travel to the designated pick up point, overnight accommodation, meals, etc will not be covered by the Onlyluxe Travel and therefore we strongly recommend travel insurance be taken out prior to travel.
Force Majeure
'Force Majeure' means (without restriction) any event which Onlyluxe Travel or its third party providers could not, even with due care, foresee or avoid. Force Majeure covers events such as, but not limited to, adverse weather conditions, fire and all similar events beyond our control. In the case of Force Majeure Onlyluxe Travel will not accept liability, and reserves the right to change and cancel trips.
Evacuations
In rare circumstances, due to injury or unforeseen illness, the tour operator may need to evacuate you from a remote part of the walk. Helicopter evacuations are expensive and in most cases will be at a cost to the customer.
For Australian residents, under the Australian Government Medicare Act, it is prohibited for any domestic travel insurance product to provide any financial reimbursement with regard to ambulance or air ambulance services. We therefore strongly advise our customers to take specific ambulance cover through their health insurance provider. Evacuation cost will not be covered by the Onlyluxe Travel and therefore it is also strongly recommended that our customers take out travel insurance to cover (amongst other things) the costs associated with evacuation.
Travel Insurance
In view of the heavy cancellation penalties applied to cancelled reservations in certain circumstances, we strongly recommends suitable travel insurance be purchased at the time the holding deposit is paid. We recommend insurance cover that covers any loss which may be suffered due to cancellation. We also strongly recommend comprehensive travel insurance against loss of baggage and medical expenses.