6 Night Cruise sailing from Sydney to Hobart aboard Coral Discoverer.

Experience the nautical tradition that is the Rolex Sydney to Hobart yacht race! Embarking in Broken Bay on December 26th, soak in the excitement at the start of the race from Coral Discoverer. Watch the fleet sail past as you hear expert commentary from our on-board lecturer Skip Lissiman. We sail the south coast and Bass Strait with the trailing fleet. Once across the Strait enjoy the scenic rugged Tasmanian coast with the opportunity to join our expedition team on a number of guided shore excursions to Tasmania’s Parks. Scheduled to arrive in Hobart on New Year’s Eve, it’s time to enjoy the buzz of the race and New Year’s Eve celebrations before disembarking on the 1st January at Macquarie Wharf 2.

Join us this December to join in on the 75th-anniversary celebrations of this exciting race.

Expedition Highlights

›› Enjoy a grandstand view of the start of the Sydney to Hobart race as the leaders come tearing through Sydney Heads
›› Trail the yachts on a coastal cruise while you enjoy a drink at Coral Discoverer’s sundeck Explorer Bar
›› Visit Adventure Bay on Bruny Island and stretch your legs on the Fluted Cape walk
›› Ring in the New Year onboard and enjoy Captain’s farewell drinks
›› Your cruise is accompanied by Special Guest Lecturer who will provide insights

THE ITINERARY:

Embark: 8:30 am – 26th December.
Arrive: Hobart, 31st December. Disembark: Macquarie Wharf 2 – 9:00 am 1st January.

Complimentary coach transfers are offered from Wynyard Station to arrive at Coral Discoverer’s embarkation point in Palm Beach, Broken Bay. You will be met by the ship’s tender and transferred to the Coral Discoverer for a 10:00am departure.

This itinerary is designed to capture the best moments of the first few days of the Sydney to Hobart race and highlights of the Tasmanian coastline. The Captain will vary the itinerary to make the most of the views and weather windows of the mercurial southern coast. 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. Coral Expeditions suggests 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.

EXPEDITION HIGHLIGHTS:

SYDNEY: NORTH HEAD
Embark at 8:30am for 10am departure, and enjoy lunch while the ship positions off North head. From the Explorer Bar, celebrate the start of the Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race and watch the fleet round the heads and sail south.

SCENIC CRUISE:
Cruise the scenic coastline from Sydney. Dependent on weather, stops may include Jervis Bay and/or Twofold Bay. As you cruise, our guest lecturer will present commentary on the Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race and lectures on yachting and maritime history.

BASS STRAIT CROSSING
As we sail through the Southern Ocean, enjoy presentations, spot yachts, or relax on deck and enjoy the vastness of the Bass Strait.

BRUNY ISLAND AND ADVENTURE BAY
Experience the rugged beauty of the Fluted Cape as you walk along the sheer coastal cliffs or cruise for a closer look around Penguin Island. Learn about the rich maritime history of Adventure Bay as you meander past the ruins of old whaling stations on the way to Grassy Point.

MARIA ISLAND
The historic ruins, secluded bays, and rugged cliffs of Maria Island National Park are home to a local population of wildlife that includes Forester Kangaroos, Bennetts Wallabies, Tasmanian Devils, and wombats. Since the 1960s, several endangered species have been introduced here in a bid to protect them. Visit World Heritage-listed Darlington, part of the “Convict Trail of Australia”, and gain an understanding of the life of the early settlers in a restored 17th century convict penitentiary. An adventurous walk to the dramatic Painted and Fossil Cliffs take in the history and beauty of this island.

HOBART
Arrive in Hobart in time for the Sydney to Hobart race celebrations on New Year’s Eve. Stroll Hobart’s historic wharf. Enjoy farewell drinks with the Captain, and welcome the New Year with a view of the fireworks display over the Derwent River.

Disembark at Macquarie Wharf 2 at 9 am, 1st January.

Coral Discoverer is our smaller expedition yacht, designed to take you to destinations that are inaccessible to larger vessels. Her shallow draught and manoeuverability make her highly versatile. She boasts ocean views from all public spaces, all outside-facing staterooms (some with balconies), and state-of-the-art tools for exploration including the Xplorer, zodiacs, a glass-bottom boat, and kayaks. Her Xplorer bar and adjacent sundeck lounge with 360-degree views are much-loved features. Carrying only 72 passengers, she offers an intimate expedition experience larger ships cannot replicate.

Coral Discoverer conducts expeditions across Australia’s coast – Tasmania, Cape York and Arnhem Land and the Kimberley. Australian flagged and staffed by an Australian and New Zealand crew, your experience aboard Coral Discoverer will be memorable.

Started in 1983, our company’s original vessel, Coral Princess, a converted World War II submarine chaser, pioneered and set the standard for small ship expedition cruising in northern Australia with 5-night cruises on the Great Barrier Reef.

Today, the Coral Expeditions’ fleet includes three purpose-built small ships that can be found anywhere from the tropical waters of Australia’s north to the rugged shores of Tasmania, from the coastal villages of Papua New Guinea and the Spice Islands, to sheltered sounds and glacial fiords of New Zealand.

While our range of cruise itineraries has expanded into new regions, we have maintained our home in Cairns and continue to be the only major operator of extended small ship cruises on the Great Barrier Reef.

There are many reasons why our guests return to Coral Expeditions for a truly authentic expedition.

A TRUE EXPEDITION ETHOS
At Coral Expeditions, we pride ourselves on getting our guests up close and personal with stunning landscapes, fascinating history and vibrant cultures. We have deep respect and a strong connection with the places we visit. We maintain flexibility in our planning to make impromptu stops if extraordinary opportunities in nature present. Our expeditions focus on truly experiencing the regions we visit.

OUR HOME TURF
When it comes to expedition cruising, there is no replicating experience. For 40 years, we have steadily accumulated a wealth of local knowledge and contacts in the coastal regions surrounding Australia. Our crew know the charts, the tides and the winds like no other to ensure you are in the right place at the right time. Whether you travel with us in the ancient Kimberley, Tasmania’s wilderness, the frontier lands of Papua New Guinea, or New Zealand’s majestic fiordlands, you will be assured a local perspective, with local guides, authentic interactions, and a true taste of local culture and cuisine.

OUR SMALL SHIPS
At the heart of the Coral Expeditions experience are our purpose-built small expedition ships and unique tenders. In an age of glitzy mega-vessels, our ships are truly intimate, carrying no more than 120 guests. This means that we can navigate into shallow bays, step ashore onto remote beaches and jetties, and visit small villages to make connections without overwhelming a community. We have designed the fleet to explore tropical waters with comfort and ease and to allow you to connect with the landscape we explore.

OUR CREW
Our crew live and breathe our destinations and the opportunity to show you a true expedition experience. We are the modern day seafaring pioneers of Australia, and we are proud to share our knowledge on coastal explorations with guests from around the globe. On our ships, we have no ‘back office’ roles. From our chefs to our engineers, our crew are here because they love to interact with people and show you their world. Join our engine room tours, view our chefs in our galley or chat with our officers on the bridge – they will be delighted to share company with you.

OUR RESPECT FOR COMMUNITIES
We have always made a determined effort to support the communities we visit. Our guests join in enthusiastically. We visit remote villages, participate in art and cultural traditions, and interact in local schools. We initiate and contribute to regional projects to support conservation, provide training and employment, and distribute economic benefit and relief supplies, all with guest support and involvement. It is an enriching and rewarding part of our expedition experience that leaves a lasting joy for us all.

THE FUTURE
As Coral Expeditions enters its fifth decade in existence, we remain true to our pioneering foundations. We have a new fleet of technologically advanced ships that provide many of the comforts of a large vessel, but without the crowds. We have embarked on a series of new adventures exploring the small islands of the world and broadening our footprint around our home shores of Australia. Yet, our purpose remains the same – taking small groups of like-minded explorers to beautiful parts of the world in our uniquely Australian style!