The Gold Coast to Mackay Yacht Race, hosted by Southport Yacht Club, is a premier offshore challenge along Australia’s east coast. Starting in vibrant Southport, the course heads north through open sea and coastal waters to tropical Mackay, drawing both seasoned racers and ambitious newcomers.
The route showcases Queensland’s beauty, passing Great Barrier Reef islands and pristine shoreline, with conditions ranging from calm to demanding. Crews must adapt to shifting winds and seas, blending skill, strategy, and stamina.
Pre- and post-race events add to the experience, with social gatherings, briefings, and celebrations. Mackay’s warm hospitality and lush tropical setting offer a rewarding finish to this iconic race.
Join a Premier Offshore Yacht Race
Take part in one of Australia’s top offshore sailing events, racing from the Gold Coast to tropical Mackay along Queensland’s scenic east coast.
Experience Life on a High-Performance Yacht
Sail aboard a competitive racing yacht, the iconic IMOCA 60 "Awen," as part of an experienced crew tackling changing wind and sea conditions.
Sail Through Iconic Waters
Navigate past stunning beaches, remote islands, and stretches of the Great Barrier Reef, with unforgettable sunrises, sunsets, and marine life sightings along the way.
Challenge Yourself on the Open Ocean
Test your endurance, seamanship, and teamwork during a multi-day passage that includes both coastal and blue water racing conditions.
Celebrate with Fellow Sailors
Enjoy the festive race atmosphere with crew briefings, post-race celebrations, and the camaraderie that comes from offshore adventure.
Finish in Tropical Mackay
Arrive in Mackay to a warm welcome, lush surroundings, and time to relax, reflect, and celebrate your achievement in true Queensland style.
Take on your dedicated crew role onboard and master your area of responsibility and how you interact and communicate with the race crew.
Downloading and analysing the latest weather forecasts and calculating best route for each days race course.
Navigating around rocks, reefs and islands , hazard identification, entering waypoints and calculating updated ETA’s.
Crew planning, matching responsibility to experience, crew management and communication.
Familiarisation of all safety procedures, sail planning, storm preparation planning and abandon ship procedures.
Advice on how to take responsibility for managing clothing, hydration and nutrition to maintain your health and well being aboard.
Planning our daily course around weather, islands, big 3-4m tides and the island effect on wind strength and direction.
Master your sail trimming onboard a high performance yacht. There will be plenty of hoisting, trimming and reefing both upwind (main, genoas, and jibs) and downwind sails (poled out headsails, asymmetric kites, gennakers and code 0’s (subject to weather).
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.
Step aboard Awen, a high-performance ocean-going yacht built for adventure, discovery, and unforgettable sailing experiences. Whether you’re chasing the thrill of offshore passages, island-hopping through remote archipelagos, or enjoying sunset sails with a like-minded crew, Awen offers the perfect blend of speed, adventure and capability. With experienced skippers, hands-on sailing opportunities, and ever-changing seascapes, every journey on Awen is a chance to disconnect from the ordinary and reconnect with nature, adventure, and yourself.
You can fly directly into Gold Coast or Brisbane Airport to arrive at the Southport Yacht Club by 4pm.
The yacht will be finishing the Sydney to Gold Coast Race, so its arrival into Southport will range from 27th - 29th of July, depending on conditions. We'll change crews over when the yacht arrives and manage the logistics issues once we know the timeframe we have to work with.
27 Jul 2025
Arrive at Brisbane or Gold Coast Airports
Head to your accommodation and be ready to join the vessel for training following its arrival.
Crew welcome dinner
28 - 30 Jul 2025
Crew training and safety familiarisation
Vessel preparation
31 Jul 2025
Race start 1100 hours off Southport Seaway
2 - 3 Aug 2025
Race finish and post race celebrations and the prize giving presentation
Depart Mackay Airport after 4 pm on 3rd Aug.
Inclusions
Your crew package includes; all meals onboard, while training and racing, your Ocean Sailing Expeditions crew shirt, marina fees, race entry fees, the use of a PFD (personal floatation device) and a safety tether.
Exclusions
Your crew package excludes; accommodation ashore, meals ashore at restaurants, flights and transport to and from departure and arrival ports, alcohol, toiletries, clothing and wet weather gear. It’s always recommended that you book flights with date flexibility in case of unforeseen changes due to weather or schedules.
Accommodation
Accommodation is not available onboard, while in port prior to departure, due to the sparse nature of the race yacht fit out, lack of ventilation and lack of amenities onboard.
Prior to departure on a passage, you will need to book 2-nights’ accommodation ashore. You will stay onboard for the duration of the passage, while at sea and 1 night (optional) after arrival in port at the end of the passage.
We provide optional accommodation packages, that include transport (to and from marina) and in-house meals packages for our crew.
You can purchase as an add on item during the booking process, or closer to the event.
You can also arrange your own accommodation ashore: Options: AirBNB, Booking.com, Wotif & HomeAway.
You will need to complete a 2-day Sea Safety and Survival Training Course or equivalent at least 1 month prior.
Best suited to agile, people with moderate fitness and ideally a maximum weight of 110kg. Full training is provided.
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.