The Magnetic Island to Brisbane Passage is a spectacular sailing journey along Australia's diverse eastern seaboard. Departing from Magnetic Island, you’ll cruise south through the Great Barrier Reef, past the wild beauty of K’gari (Fraser Island), and into the protected waters of Moreton Bay before finishing at Rivergate Marina in Brisbane.
This voyage blends open-ocean adventure with coastal cruising, offering island stopovers, remote anchorages, and stunning landscapes. Along the way, enjoy white-sand beaches, coral cays, and the chance to spot dolphins, turtles, and seasonal whales.
As you sail past K’gari’s towering dunes and down the Queensland coast, the scenery shifts from pristine wilderness to busy harbours and vibrant coastal towns. Whether you’re chasing sea miles, honing your sailing skills, or soaking in the rhythm of life at sea, this passage delivers an unforgettable slice of Australian maritime adventure.
Magnetic Island
Depart past the rugged coastline of Magnetic Island, where granite boulders meet fringing coral reefs and forested headlands. The island’s clear waters and secluded bays set the tone for the voyage ahead.
Great Barrier Reef Islands
Sail by clusters of coral cays, turquoise lagoons, and sweeping white sand beaches that mark the southern reaches of the Great Barrier Reef. These waters are alive with marine life, from reef fish to sea birds wheeling overhead.
K’gari (Fraser Island)
Follow the eastern edge of the world’s largest sand island, where towering dunes rise above the surf and freshwater creeks cut through dense coastal forest. Keep watch for dolphins, sea turtles, and, in the right season, migrating humpback whales.
Moreton Bay
Glide into the protected waters of Moreton Bay, passing Bribie and Moreton Islands with their sweeping beaches and mangrove-lined shores. The bay’s calm channels lead towards the mouth of the Brisbane River.
Brisbane River
Sail upriver beneath the Gateway Bridge, the skyline of Brisbane growing on the horizon, before arriving at the city’s bustling marina precinct.
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 Townsville Airport on Day 1 and take a 30-minute ferry to Magnetic Island, arriving at the yacht by 4pm. That evening, the crew will gather for a welcome dinner, followed by vessel training and safety familiarisation the next day.
We plan to depart Magnetic Island for Brisbane by midday on Day 3, with carefully selected coastal stopovers along the way. Upon arrival at Rivergate Marina in Brisbane, we’ll enjoy a final crew dinner and debrief. You should plan to depart Brisbane Airport from Day 11, though earlier departures may be possible depending on conditions.
4 Sep 2025
Arrive at Townsville Airport and take a 30-minute ferry to Magnetic Island
Arrive at the vessel by 4pm
Crew welcome dinner
5 Sep 2025
Crew training and safety familiarisation
6 Sep 2025
Depart Magnetic Island by 12pm on Day 3
Sail to Brisbane
13 Sep 2025
Arrive at Rivergate Marina, Brisbane by 3pm
Final crew dinner and expedition debrief
14 Sep 2025
Depart from Brisbane Airport
Inclusions
Your crew package includes; all meals onboard, accommodation onboard on the passage, your Ocean Sailing Expeditions crew shirt, marina 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.
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.