The museum’s replica of Captain Cook’s HMB Endeavour will soon set sail for Tasmania, exploring the state’s convict past and reliving an era of great maritime exploration in Australia. Endeavour‘s professional crew will be joined by passengers who have signed up either as voyage crew—living, eating and sleeping just as pioneering sailors did almost 250 years ago—or for a more leisurely voyage as a supernumerary.
Endeavour will depart Sydney on Wednesday 28 January on its ten-day voyage to Hobart, passing through the Furneaux Group of islands before anchoring at Maria Island and Port Arthur—two of Tasmania’s most significant convict sites.
Parade of Sail, Australian Wooden Boat Festival. Courtesy AWBF.
On arrival in Hobart on Friday 6 February, Endeavour will take part in the Australian Wooden Boat Festival where it will feature in the spectacular Parade of Sail. Berthing at Sullivans Cove, Princes Wharf 1, it will be open to the public for three days during the festival and for a further two at the end of February.
The Hobart to Hobart voyage (10 to 20 February) is designed to give passengers an opportunity to truly sail Cook’s replica ship as well as enjoy some of the quieter locations on Tasmania’s stunningly beautiful west coast. It is a fine balance between time at sea and serene anchorages.
Sarah Island, Tasmania. Courtesy Discover Tasmania.
The ship will leave Hobart on Tuesday 10 February and sail down the D’Entrecasteaux Channel, anchoring for one or two nights in some of the quieter bays, including Recherche Bay. She will then set sail for Port Davey where she will anchor where few ships ever visit. Passengers will have the opportunity to explore isolated Bathurst Harbour.
Endeavour will sail up the west coast and, weather permitting, passengers will be ferried across the bar and through the appropriately name Hell’s Gate in the ships smaller boats. An opportunity will exist to board a local tour boat and follow the convict trail to the prison settlement on notorious Sarah Island.
After passengers rejoin Endeavour, the ship will sail south passing outside Bruny Island and overnighting in Adventure Bay. This bay still echoes to the sounds of its famous visitors, the explorers Cook, Bligh, D’Entrecasteaux, Fumeaux and Tobin.
William Wade Ellis, View of Adventure Bay, Van Diemen’s Land, New Holland, 1777, depicting Cook’s HMS Resolution and HMS Discovery at anchor in the bay. nla.pic-an10345304. Courtesy National Library of Australia.
Day 10 will see the ship return to Hobart. The program is subject to weather but in the event of severe weather on the west coast, Endeavour will sail the D’Entrecasteaux Channel and then visit the convict settlements in Frederick Henry Bay, Port Arthur and on Maria Island.
On 25 February we start the ten-day return voyage from Hobart, anchoring in Port Arthur and Maria Island, and finally arriving at the museum wharf on 6 March.
– Captain John Dikkenberg, HMB Endeavour
Join us on Endeavour for a Tasmanian voyage! Spaces are still available on the Hobart to Hobart and Hobart to Sydney voyages. Head to the Endeavour website for more information.
Visitors are also welcome to board the vessel in Hobart throughout the Australian Wooden Boat Festival, from 10am – 5pm, Saturday 7 to Monday 9 February and 21 to 22 February (last entry 4.30pm). Tickets $10 adults, $8 children/concessions or $25 families (2 adults + 3 children).