Around Australia Cruise 2025

The vessels travel through Port Davey and Bathurst Harbour, a remote area in Tasmania’s Southwest National Park with unique wildlife. They continue to Strahan and cruise the Gordon River, passing ancient Huon pines and learning about the region’s Indigenous and convict history. This journey offers a rare chance to explore one of Australia’s last true wilderness areas.

The vessels depart Hobart and head south toward Kettering, Recherche and Maatsuyker Island, trying their hand at some Tuna on the way. The pots deliver a few crayfish and the ever shifting weather and landscape provide a spectacular backdrop.

The consortium of Wooden Boatshop vessels leave Sorrento and head south toward Hobart. At a leisurely pace they enjoy the local sights of Bass Strait and the east coast of Tasmania. The around-Australia trip officially begins after the Wooden Boat Festival, where they have reserved berths on Victoria Dock.

Follow along as we journey around Australia in the following Wooden Boatshop-built vessels

Deal Island 50 Winter Cove (built 2024)
Deal Island 50 Southern Rock (built 2020)
Deal Island 50 Gina (built 2018)
Efficient 44 Diamond Bay (built 2024)
Efficient 44 Francesca (built 2022)
Shearwater 38 Squally Cove (built 2017)

Winter Cove

Southern Rock

Gina

Diamond Bay

Francesca

Squally Cove

Calendar

Leg One – Hobart to Port Lincoln

Approximate Dates: 10th February - 20th February (10 days)

Port Davey
Strahan & Gordon River
Currie
Portland
Robe
Kangaroo Island
Port Lincoln

Leg Two – Port Lincoln to Freo

Approximate Dates: 6th March – 1st April (4 weeks)

Port Lincoln
Flinders Island Group
Streaky Bay
Eucla – desert experience & roadhouse visit
Daw Island
Recherche Archipelago
Esperance
Bremer Bay – whale watching
Albany – visit scrimshaw expert
Dunsborough – offshore ocean hot water uprising
Rottnest Island
Fremantle

Leg Three – Freo to Broome
Approximate Dates: 16th April – 14th May (4 weeks)

Fremantle
Geraldton
Abrolhos Islands – spending approx. one week with guide Mark Jackman
Denham at Shark Bay
Ningaloo Reef – swimming with Whale Sharks
Montebello Islands – 5 days at atomic nuclear test sites
Port Hedland – organised iron ore experience
Broome

Leg Four – Broome to Darwin
Approximate Dates: 11th June – 16th July (5 weeks)

Broome
Kimberley Coastline – 18 days
Darwin

Leg Five – Darwin to Airlie Beach
Approximate Dates: 29th September – 27th October (4 weeks)

Darwin
Gove via Elcho Island
Thursday Island
Lizard Island
Great Barrier Reef
Cooktown
Airlie Beach

Leg Six – Airlie Beach to Gold Coast
Approximate Dates: 10th November – 17th November (1 week)

Airlie Beach
Gold Coast

Leg Seven – Gold Coast to Sydney
Approximate Dates: 1st December – 8th December (1 week)

Gold Coast
Sydney

Leg Eight – Sydney to Home
Approximate Dates: undetermined (1 week)

We will make our way home from Sydney at our own leisure. Some boats may opt to join the Sydney – Hobart fleet!

Distances

Sorrento to Hobart – 420 NM
Hobart to Portland – 486 NM
Portland to Port Lincoln – 360 NM
Port Lincoln to Esperance – 700 NM
Esperance to Fremantle – 550 NM
Fremantle to Broome – 1200 NM
Broome to Wyndham – 600 NM
Wyndham to Darwin – 250 NM
Darwin to Gove – 430 NM
Gove to Lizard Island – 730 NM
Lizard Island to Mooloolaba – 850 NM
Mooloolaba to Eden – 650 NM
Eden to Sorrento – 320 NM

We are planning for mostly day cruises, though possible overnighters include:
Streaky Bay across the Bight to Daw Island – 512 NM
Port Hedland to Broome – 240 NM
Gove to TI – 340 NM
Eden to Wilson's Prom – 220 NM

A total of about 7456 NM. Or about 24 days steaming time at 12 knots. Whilst slower vessels can join us – our planning itinerary allows for this – we're not planning to wait during legs. The longest fuel leg is about 650 NM (Streaky Bay to Esperance) and boats should allow for a 20% leeway. Each other fuel leg is a much smaller distance.

While we have made great effort to create precise estimates of time frames and destinations, we are obviously reliant on weather windows and so some details may change at late notice. Cruisers are welcome to proceed ahead of the timeframe at their own discretion on any leg, and welcome to join back in when suitable. The Wooden Boatshop is not responsible for the safety of each vessel and its occupants.

Background

The Wooden Boatshop, founded by Tim Phillips OAM, was built on a shared ethos of adventure, craftsmanship, and a deep love for the sea. Every vessel we create is designed not just to navigate open water but to embrace it – offering a perfect balance of seaworthiness, practicality, and pared-back minimalist design. More than just boats, they are entertainers, built for those who appreciate both performance and the joy of life on the water.

Tim Phillips OAM, Director of WBS, departed Sorrento in 2011 aboard Murray Pass with his wife, Sally, to circumnavigate Australia.

In 2019, he embarked on another circumnavigation, this time aboard Jane Kerr. Now, on his third circumnavigation, he is at the helm of Deal Island 50 Winter Cove.

On this journey, Tim is sharing his extensive knowledge with owners of WBS-built vessels, passing down the skills, traditions, culture and philosophy that have shaped The Wooden Boatshop. Through hands-on experience and storytelling he continues to foster a community of passionate boaters who uphold the spirit of adventure and seamanship at the heart of every WBS creation.

Murray Pass

Jane Kerr

Tim at the helm of Winter Cove