Set sail on an unforgettable 14-night expedition from the Gold Coast to Picton, New Zealand, via the remote platform reefs of Middleton and Elizabeth. This ocean passage blends offshore adventure with reef exploration and scenic cruising.
Departing from Southport, we head 300 nautical miles offshore to the rarely visited Middleton and Elizabeth Reefs. These crystal-clear lagoons are teeming with marine life and scattered with visible shipwrecks. Weather permitting, we’ll anchor to snorkel and explore these pristine marine sanctuaries.
From there, we cross the Tasman Sea, covering approximately 1,100 nautical miles of open ocean. This stretch offers hands-on experience with night watches, navigation, weather routing, and ocean wildlife encounters. It’s a true test of seamanship and teamwork.
We finish in Picton, gateway to the Marlborough Sounds, surrounded by forested hills and sheltered waterways. This expedition is perfect for those building offshore miles or seeking a bold, rewarding sailing experience across reef, sea, and coast.
Middleton and Elizabeth Reefs
Explore two of the world’s southernmost platform reefs, home to vibrant marine life, turquoise anchorages, and historic shipwrecks visible at low tide.
Offshore sailing experience
Gain hands-on experience with navigation, sail trim, weather routing, and night watches during a 1,400-nautical-mile Tasman Sea crossing.
Marine life encounters
Spot dolphins, seabirds, flying fish, and possibly whales while sailing across open ocean and reef ecosystems.
Snorkelling and reef exploration
Weather permitting, swim and snorkel in crystal-clear waters over pristine coral reefs teeming with life.
Life at sea
Settle into a watch schedule, share meals with crew, and enjoy the rhythm of long-distance sailing under star-filled skies.
Arrival in Marlborough Sounds
Sail into Picton surrounded by the breathtaking scenery of the Sounds—deep waterways, lush hills, and calm anchorages marking a dramatic and scenic end to your passage.
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
Downloading and analysing the latest weather forecasts and calculating best route to destination. View gallery
Navigating, hazard identification, entering waypoints and calculating updated ETA’s. View gallery
Watch roster planning, matching responsibility to experience, crew management and communication. View gallery
Familiarisation of all safety procedures, sail planning, storm preparation planning and abandon ship procedures. View gallery
Advice on how to take responsibility for managing clothing, hydration, sleep and nutrition to maintain your health and well being aboard. View gallery
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
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
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
Step aboard Te Kaihopara, a purpose-built South Pacific cruising ketch designed for modern explorers seeking connection, challenge, and discovery at sea. From remote coastlines to open ocean passages, Te Kaihopara delivers comfort, capability, and adventure in equal measure. With a strong, ocean-tested build, hands-on sailing opportunities, and space to relax and reflect, every voyage is a chance to immerse yourself in the rhythm of the ocean and the raw beauty of the natural world.
With $1m spent on a refit, new electronics, a full rewire and the latest safety equipment in 2023, the yacht meets the highest safety standards.
With a generous galley, 4 fridges and a freezer, the yacht is able to be well provisioned for long distance cruising.
With a saloon and wheelhouse that seat up to 16 people, there are ample indoor and outdoor seating choices.
Berth and Cabin and options
Moana Stateroom: Booking option for couple or up to 3 singles. Private ensuite. 240v and 12v power outlets. 4 large and 2 small port hole windows. Private ensuite.
Tiritiri Suite: Booking option for couple or up to 3 singles. Private ensuite. 240v and 12v power outlets. 1 small port hole window. Private ensuite.
Mokohinau Cabin: Booking option for up to 4 occupants with private ensuite. 240v and 12v power outlets. 2 small port hole windows. Private ensuite.
You’ll join the yacht in Southport Yacht Club Marina by 3pm on Day 1, with time to settle in, meet your crew, and prepare for departure. We plan to cast off on day 2 following comprehensive yacht familiarisation and safety drills. Depending on the weather window, we will either head directly offshore or wait for optimal conditions before venturing into the Tasman.
This expedition includes approximately 300nm to the reefs, followed by a 1,100nm Tasman Sea crossing. Weather will play a key role in timing and routing. Our aim is to arrive in Picton Harbour by early afternoon on Day 14. You can plan onward travel from Blenheim or Wellington via ferry or domestic flight.
5 Jan 2027
Arrive at Southport Yacht Club Marina by 3pm
Meet the crew, settle in, and complete initial safety briefing
Crew welcome dinner onboard or ashore
6 Jan 2027
Finish yacht familiarisation and safety training including offshore watch systems, sail handling, comms, and emergency procedures
Clear customs depart Southport early afternoon heading offshore into the Coral Sea
Begin offshore watch rotations and settle into life at sea
First taste of deep ocean sailing and night watches
8 - 9 Jan 2027
Arrive at Middleton Reef (~300nm offshore) and, conditions permitting, circumnavigate the reef and observe shipwreck remains
Sail to Elizabeth Reef (weather permitting), anchor inside the eastern cay and explore one of the most southerly platform reefs on earth
Explore the reef’s exposed coral heads, snorkel in pristine waters. These reef systems offer rare biodiversity and breathtaking marine encounters
10 - 17 Jan 2027
Depart Elizabeth Reef and begin the trans-Tasman leg toward New Zealand
Deep ocean sailing across the Tasman Sea (~1,100nm)
Participate in sail trim, route planning, weather updates, and celestial navigation
Observe marine life, including albatross, flying fish, and dolphins
Enjoy sunrises, starlit night sailing, and the camaraderie of the crew
18 Jan 2027
Make landfall and enter the Marlborough Sounds
Navigate through Queen Charlotte Sound to Picton Harbour
Clear customs and enjoy a celebratory crew dinner
19 Jan 2027
Disembark by 10am
Onward travel via Blenheim Airport or ferry from Picton Terminal to Wellington
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; meals and accommodation 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 either a 5-hour online or 2-day classroom based Sea Safety and Survival Training Course or equivalent prior to departure.
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.