Set sail on a once in a lifetime adventure around Tasmania aboard Silver Fern, our rugged, beautifully refitted expedition yacht purpose-built for offshore sailing. This 18-night full circumnavigation covers over 1,000 nautical miles and offers a rare chance to explore the raw, remote beauty of Australia’s island state through some of the Southern Hemisphere’s most dramatic and isolated waters.

Departing from Hobart, we sail clockwise around Tasmania, exploring the windswept east coast with highlights including Port Arthur, Maria Island, and Wineglass Bay. Continuing north, we traverse the Furneaux Group and Cape Barren Island before crossing the Bass Strait. Weather permitting, we head up the Tamar River to Launceston and pass Devonport and Port Stanley.

The route then takes us across the remote northwest to Three Hummock and Hunter Islands before rounding the formidable southwest corner. Here we enter the heart of Tasmania’s wilderness coast, with time to explore the pristine and rarely visited Port Davey and Bathurst Harbour. From there, we cruise up the west coast to Strahan and the tranquil Gordon River before returning via Recherche Bay and the D’Entrecasteaux Channel.

More than a sailing voyage, this circumnavigation is a deep immersion into wild nature, secluded anchorages, and rich maritime history. Silver Fern’s design and seaworthiness ensure a comfortable, hands-on adventure through one of the world’s most extraordinary cruising grounds.

Complete a full circumnavigation of Tasmania
Embark on an 18-night journey around Australia’s island state, sailing clockwise from Hobart through Bass Strait, Tasmania’s remote west coast, and back via the D’Entrecasteaux Channel.

Sail aboard Silver Fern, a rugged ocean-going expedition yacht
Purpose-built for offshore sailing, Silver Fern offers comfort, safety, and performance, making her the ideal platform for hands-on adventure through Tasmania’s wildest waters.

Explore iconic east coast highlights
Discover historic Port Arthur, hike to viewpoints on Maria Island, and drop anchor in the turquoise waters of Wineglass Bay, one of the most photographed beaches in Australia.

Venture into the Furneaux Islands and Bass Strait
Cruise through the remote Furneaux Group and around Cape Barren Island, exploring wind-swept shores, granite peaks, and little-visited coastal villages.

Navigate Tasmania’s untamed west and southwest
Experience the power of the Southern Ocean as you round the island’s remote and rugged west coast. Weather permitting, explore Port Davey and Bathurst Harbour—one of the world’s last true wilderness regions.

Go ashore for hiking, kayaking, and inland exploration
Take advantage of time ashore to hike through coastal forests, kayak tranquil inlets, and journey upriver to places like the Gordon River and Recherche Bay.

Visit Launceston and Tasmania’s north coast
Weather allowing, sail up the Tamar River to Launceston and along the scenic north coast past Devonport, Burnie, and the windswept headlands of Stanley.

Immerse yourself in Tasmania’s natural and maritime heritage
Learn about the island’s Indigenous history, early convict settlements, and long seafaring tradition while surrounded by its towering sea cliffs, ancient forests, and abundant wildlife.

Hobart

• Historic waterfront city and gateway to Tasmania’s wild coasts

• Known for vibrant markets, colonial architecture, and a lively maritime culture

Port Arthur

• Well-preserved UNESCO-listed convict settlement

• Surrounded by rugged coastline and steeped in history

Maria Island

• Wildlife sanctuary with historic ruins and scenic coastal walks

• Famous for its cliffs, beaches, and abundant birdlife

Wineglass Bay

• Iconic crescent-shaped beach in Freycinet National Park

• Renowned for white sand, turquoise waters, and stunning viewpoints

Cape Barren Island

• Remote island in the Furneaux Group with rich Aboriginal heritage

• Offers wild coastlines, birdlife, and unspoiled landscapes

Launceston

• Riverside city in northern Tasmania

• Gateway to the Tamar Valley wine region and Cataract Gorge

Devonport

• Key port city and home of the Spirit of Tasmania ferry

• Base for exploring the Mersey River and northern coastline

Stanley

• Charming fishing town dominated by The Nut, an ancient volcanic plug

• Offers panoramic views, heritage buildings, and fresh seafood

Three Hummock Island

• Remote wildlife-rich island with pristine beaches

• Known for bushwalking, fishing, and peaceful anchorages

Hunter Island

• Untouched island with dramatic coastal scenery

• Important breeding site for seabirds and marine life

Macquarie Harbour

• Vast, sheltered harbour on Tasmania’s rugged west coast

• Known for its dramatic entrance at Hell’s Gates, rich maritime history, and access to convict-era sites such as Sarah Island

Gordon River

• Serene wilderness river bordered by ancient temperate rainforest

• Famous for glassy reflections and abundant wildlife

Strahan

• Gateway to Macquarie Harbour and the Gordon River

• Quaint harbour town with a rich maritime past

Port Davey

• Remote wilderness harbour within the Southwest National Park

• Surrounded by mountains, rainforests, and untouched waterways

Recherche

• Sheltered bay on Tasmania’s south coast

• Known for its historic significance and calm anchorages

D’Entrecasteaux River

• Scenic waterway flowing through rolling farmland and forest

• Offers tranquil cruising and birdwatching opportunities

Watch duties

Acting as watch captain (day and night), helming, navigating, checking weather and monitoring AIS and radar and for both traffic and rain squalls. View gallery

Weather

Downloading and analysing the latest weather forecasts and calculating best route to destination. View gallery

Navigation

Navigating, hazard identification, entering waypoints and calculating updated ETA’s. View gallery

Leadership

Watch roster planning, matching responsibility to experience, crew management and communication. View gallery

Safety

Familiarisation of all safety procedures, sail planning, storm preparation planning and abandon ship procedures. View gallery

Personal wellbeing

Advice on how to take responsibility for managing clothing, hydration, sleep and nutrition to maintain your health and well being aboard. View gallery

Passage planning

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. View gallery

Sailing

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). View gallery

Training

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. View gallery

You'll fly into Hobart on day 1. We'll have a crew welcome dinner that night and complete final preparations for departure the next day. On day 2 do crew training and safety familiarisation before departing Hobart and heading for our first of many stopovers.

We’ll aim to be tied up back in Hobart by 3pm on day 13 for our final crew dinner and you can plan to depart Hobart from day 14 onwards.

2 Mar 2028:

• Arrive at the vessel in Hobart by 4pm

• Crew welcome dinner

3 Mar 2028:

• Crew training and safety familiarisation 

• Depart Hobart for first destination

3 - 19 Mar 2028

• Explore a variety of stop overs

19 Mar 2028

• Arrive in Hobart Marina by 3pm

• Crew farewell dinner

20 Mar 2028

• Depart Hobart

Inclusions

Your crew package includes; all meals onboard, 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 are also included along with suncream.

Exclusions

Your crew package excludes; accommodation and meals ashore, flights and transport to and from departure and arrival ports, alcohol, toiletries, clothing and wet weather gear. Its always recommended that you book flights with date flexibility incase of unforeseen changes due to weather or schedules. 

Eligibility

You will need to complete a 5-hour online or 2-day Sea Safety and Survival Training Course or equivalent at least 1 month prior.

Accommodation

If you plan to fly in a day earlier, or stay onboard the night after we return to port, an extra night's accommodation is available onboard, prior to departure and/or after arrival as an add-on, for $100 per person, per night. This can be purchased through your We Travel account during the booking process or prior to departure.

Accommodation options if you want to stay ashore either side of trip: AirBNB,  Booking.com, Wotif & HomeAway.

Book and pay

Click Book Now button above to secure your place. Choose from Pay in Full or deposit options. Direct debit from bank account, debit card or credit card options available. Pay in the currency of your choice.

Personalise your payment plan

If you want to set up a payment plan, contact us here and let us know your desired deposit (minimum 10% required) and your preferred payment. You can make up to 18 payments, for the balance. You can choose the frequency and customise each payment amount.

Not ready to pay, but want to secure your place?

Reserve your place onboard today, with no obligation. We’ll send the confirmation details, itinerary, deposit invoice and be sure to answer all your questions, while you finalise your plans before confirming. Reserve here.

100% cancellation guarantee

If you book and then cancel prior to an event, for any reason, 100% of your payment will be issued as a credit, that you can apply to any future event/s. For a full refund of sailing trip, flights and hotel costs, we recommend travel insurance. View Terms & Conditions.

Members

Check for Member's availability here before booking this event, using Members Benefits. When you book Reserve your place here.