Sail Auckland to Sydney, Sydney to Hobart or Hobart to Christchurch on a voyage leg across the Tasman Sea following in the footsteps of Charles Darwin ... will you be on board as guest crew?
In September 2023 the DARWIN200 will begin, following Charles Darwin’s world voyage on the HMS Beagle. Built in 1918, this uniquely restored, three masted schooner is one of the most beautiful historic vessels afloat. This global journey is made up of 32 voyage legs, and involves sailing to some of the most beautiful corners of the world.
Leg 24: Auckland (New Zealand) to Sydney (Australia) After scheduled maintenance in Auckland the crew will sail across the Tasman Sea and into spectacular Sydney Harbour for a unique view of the world famous Opera House and Harbour Bridge. Walk in Charles Darwin’s footsteps exploring the Blue Mountains and the historic Rocks waterfront. During the crossing of the Tasman Sea, look for migrating whales and scan the horizon for ‘the Heads’ as you approach the dramatic coast that marks the entrance of Sydney Harbour.
Departure date: 31/10/2024
Estimated arrival date: 14/11/2024
Price: €3,750
Leg 25 Sydney (Australia) to Hobart (Tasmania, Australia) Sail from Sydney south along New South Wales’ dramatic coastline. Pass breath-taking beaches, remote coastal town and rocky headlands before crossing the Bass Strait to reach Tasmania and the historic port city of Hobart. Ashore, wander the city’s historic streets, colonial history and traditional pubs. Tasmania is a nature lover’s paradise, as well as being home to some of Australia’s finest vineyards and top restaurants. After the voyage, treat yourself to a gourmet tour of the island!
Departure date: 26/11/2024
Estimated arrival date: 03/12/2024
Price: €2,080
Leg 26 Hobart (Tasmania, Australia) to Christchurch (New Zealand) Cross the Tasman Sea! Sail from Hobart to Christchurch to achieve one of the world’s great sailing adventures. During the transit, look out for whales and albatrosses. As New Zealand rises on the horizon, marvel at the beautiful coast line and land in one of the country’s most vibrant cities. Ashore, enjoy wine tasting trip and world-famous cuisine in boutique restaurants. After visiting Tasmania, Charles Darwin did not return back to New Zealand, but you can on this exciting voyage leg!
Departure date: 12/12/2024
Estimated arrival date: 27/12/2024
Price: €4,000
Sailing aboard is a very special experience. The crew will be happy to explain the function of all the ropes, halyards and sheets to you. You will be assigned watches with the crew to sail, steer and navigate the ship. While the boat is anchored, a sloop and a dinghy are available for making trips ashore to explore. One of the crew members will take you to shore and pick you up again safely.
Beyond being a truly great adventure, the DARWIN200, is a planetary conservation initiative that will empower the next generation’s elite environmental leaders and engage millions of students worldwide in conservation projects.
Berths on each voyage leg are limited. Secure your place and be part of the adventure on this unique global voyage.
No experience needed. Passion for adventure is a must!
Why you'll love this adventure
- An epic voyage where you are the crew sail, steer and navigate the ship
- Follow Charles Darwin’s footsteps and journey deep into the South Pacific on board a tall ship
- Perfect for solo travellers, friends and families - no experience needed
Dates
Itinerary
The Darwin200 voyage consists of 32 legs that span the globe, taking place from 2023 to 2025. Each voyage leg has a different duration, allowing you to join the part of the journey that fits your schedule and interests. On all voyage legs, visits ashore will be made (where possible) along the itinerary, to allow you to explore in Charles Darwin’s wake. Complete and enquiry form for full details.
What's included
- The voyage fee and all sail training on board
- 3 meals a day
- Coffee and tea
- A full color, 300-page, hardback book as a momento of your adventure on board.
- A short video which will be filmed during each voyage leg.
- An invitation to the Start of Voyage Party in Plymouth on 13/08/2023.
- An invitation to the End of Voyage Party in Falmouth on 20/07/2025.
- An invitation to the DARWIN200 Concluding Award Ceremony in London in summer, 2025. Meet environmental celebrities, the young conservationists (‘DARWIN LEADERS’) and take part in a prize-giving ceremony.
- Acknowledgement and thanks by name on all DARWIN200 output films throughout the global voyage (although anonymity will be respected, if requested).
- Free DARWIN200 Global Voyage branded T-shirt!
Not included
- Flights to and from the vessel
- Transfers from the airport to the vessel
- Insurance
- Visas
Trip notes
Price
Min age
Accommodation
The tall ship can carry 24 voyage crew (members of the public joining as sailors) plus professional crew. She has a bar, a piano and a wood-fired stove. You will be accommodated in comfortable, single-sex cabins that consist of 2 or 4 bunks.
The ship is furnished comfortably and supplied with all modern conveniences. All cabins are fitted with a washbasin with hot and cold running water. A few cabins have their own shower. The other showers and the toilets are communal.
In the spacious and stylish saloon there are reading tables, seating areas and a piano. All cabins have forced ventilation and have the option to open a window or a hatch. The always-present wind provides a pleasant temperature on the lower deck.
There are quiet corners where you can write a letter, read a book or to select and edit the photos you took along the way.
Meals
The experienced cook will prepare three well-balanced meals a day. In between meals snacks will be served. Coffee, tea and milk are included in the price. Other drinks (including alcoholic beverages from the bar) will be totted up during and charged at the end of each voyage leg.
Who is this trip for?
Adventurers, sailors and anyone who wants to experience a sailing adventure with good health and a reasonable level of fitness. There are no upper age limits although a doctor’s note may be requested. The DARWIN200 2023-25 Global Voyage is intended to be a life changing adventure for those who take part. That said, global voyages are intense experiences so make an enquiry to chat to Larissa as to whether this is the voyage for you!
Additional notes
The Global Voyage consists of 32 Voyage Legs which follow Charles Darwin’s route on HMS Beagle. The ship will make landfall at key locations where Darwin stepped ashore.
During each of these landfall stops, the ship will host groups of DARWIN LEADERS to undertake research projects in exactly the same locations visited by Charles Darwin two centuries ago. For logistical reasons, the route of HMS Beagle has been simplified.
For example, HMS Beagle back-tracked north and south several times along the east coast of South America. We will sail this route only once.
The crew have also added a few locations that Charles Darwin did not visit. These enhance the global voyage and enable sailing during periods of optimal weather. These additional stops also allow essential repair and maintenance, refueling, reprovisioning and planned publicity events. Crucially, unlike HMS Beagle (which sailed across the Indian Ocean), we are returning from Australia via Cape Horn to enable visits to South Georgia and Tristan da Cunha!
With the exception of Cocos (Keeling) and Mauritius, the crew will make landfall at every major location Charles Darwin visited during his voyage aboard HMS Beagle!
The crew members are highly experienced ocean going sailors, which often sail with the Oosterschelde. The crew holds all the required certificates and diplomas and is qualified to sail worldwide. The atmosphere on board is informal and friendly.
Tour operator
For over 25 years, this operator has been creating incredible tall ship voyages, enjoyed by new and experienced sailors alike.
The aim of their voyages is to have a hands-on, active experience, immersing yourself into life at sea, the rhythm of sailing and the culture of the regions you travel between.
Based out of the Netherlands they have two ships and work with a third providing sailing experiences around the world.
Three-masted topsail schooner
The last remaining representative of the large fleet of schooners that sailed under the Dutch flag at the beginning of the 20th century.
The ship is furnished comfortably and supplied with all modern conveniences. All the cabins are fitted with a washbasin with hot and cold running water and there are separate sets of showers. In the spacious and stylishly appointed salon there are reading tables, seating areas and a piano. Life on board is made even better by delicious meals prepared by a professional chef to fuel you up for a day’s sailing.
Two-mast clipper-brig
Built in 1919 and thoroughly stripped and rebuilt to modern standards in 1983. The tall-boat brig style was developed by the Americas during the war of independence to evade the much heavier English Man o' War. As such, the ship combines traditional design with fast speed. Since 2008, she has operated as a sail training vessel, undertaking her regular Atlantic circuit through the Canaries, Cape Verde and the Caribbean.
Below deck there is a spacious saloon which is the heart of the ship and each cabin has a basin with hot and cold running water. Showers and toilets are separate – outside the cabin.
Enquire today
Sail between New Zealand and Australia
Please complete the enquiry form above with as much detail as you can and we will send you all the trip information and connect you with the operator so you can make a booking directly.
If you have queries and questions about the trip include those in your form and we’ll personally reply to you within 24 hours.
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