You’ve got three choices on Boxing Day. First, you could wallow in your own overindulgence and watch Xmas movies on the couch while nursing a food hangover from Christmas lunch. You might want to corral the family to head to Sydney’s best cinemas and pick through the Boxing Day releases (hot tip: Better Man is your best bet these holidays).
The third is a much better option, however. Sure, you could watch the Rolex Sydney to Hobart yacht race live on TV, but nothing beats trekking out to the city’s best viewing spots to witness the absolute spectacle that is one of the world’s toughest and most recognised yacht races.
Why is it so iconic? Well, all you need to do is look at a photo of hundreds of yachts streaming across Sydney Harbour, leaving a long white trail of water behind them as they prepare to travel 628 nautical miles to Hobart. Each year, the Rolex Sydney Hobart serves as a symbol of strength, determination and stamina, inspiring Australians across the nation as the year enters its final week.
What is the Sydney Hobart Yacht Race?
Hosted by the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia, the epic yacht race kicks off on Boxing Day with a shot ringing out from the ceremonial cannon at 1pm. 112 yacht teams will compete in the 79th Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race, down from 120 last year.
Compare this to the first-ever Sydney to Hobart yacht race in 1945. Only nine yachts were competing for glory.
Nowadays, there’s a diverse and varied list of teams from many different countries, all descending upon Sydney to compete in the world’s most gruelling yacht race which travels down Australia’s east coast and crosses the choppy Bass Strait to enter Tasmanian waters. The typical Sydney Hobart yacht path heads southward along Tasmania’s east coast before sailing into Storm Bay and then ending with a sprint up the aggressive River Derwent into Hobart’s quaint harbour.
The current Sydney to Hobart record is held by 100-foot super-maxi Comanche, which in 2017 finished the race in an impressive 1 day, 9 hours, 14 minutes and 24 seconds. Comanche has since become the crowd-favourite for the race, having now crossed the finish line in Hobart in first place three times.
It’s also a remarkably difficult race to call, which only adds to the excitement for spectators. For example, last year’s winner, the 100-foot LawConnect was only ahead of runner-up Andoo Comanche by 51 seconds when it sailed across the finish line in Hobart. Even the gentlest breeze on the River Derwent is enough to completely change the lineup.
Many consider this an exceptional challenge, mostly due to the Bass Strait path which is renowned for high winds and difficult seas. It’s typical for a number of yachts to forfeit the race before they complete the Bass Strait crossing.
Where to watch the Sydney Hobart Yacht Race
Looking for somewhere to watch all the small boats and super maxis as they race around Sydney Harbour? Plan in advance with Sydney Travel Guide’s round-up of the best Sydney Harbour views from the best view at South Head in Watsons Bay to hidden nooks around Mosman.
1. On a spectator boat with Captain Cook Cruises
The best way to watch the Sydney to Harbour yacht race is by getting right up amongst the action. Spectator boats for the Rolex Sydney Hobart are without question the most popular way to get involved, with Captain Cook Cruises typically sending three vessels out on the water. You can choose from a three-hour picnic cruise with an onboard bar ($105), the popular lunch cruise ($219) and one that goes further than the rest, travelling outside the heads and into Bondi ($149).
The Boxing Day lunch cruise is usually the first to sell out so jump on this package quick. You’ll anchor at Parsley Bay between Watsons Bay and Nielson Park, getting nice and intimate with all the pearly-white yachts as they make tracks to Hobart.
2. Georges Heights Lookout, Mosman
If you want to view the Sydney to Hobart race from the north, head on over to the leafy suburb of Mosman. Georges Heights Lookout can be found along the beautiful Taronga to Balmoral Beach walk. You can also catch an M30 bus from Wynyard to reach this point but the walk from Taronga Wharf is so life-affirming that many opt to reach this point by ferry.
Bring a packed lunch and plenty of water. Most of the crowd will head on over to Watsons Bay but you’ll have to contend with a lot of locals taking advantage of the relatively hidden lookout. Show up early to get a good spot. We suggest around 10am.
Where: Georges Heights Lookout can be found at the edge of Cliffton Gardens.
3. South Head, Watsons Bay
Watsons Bay is the best place to watch the Sydney to Hobart. It’s just pure geography. The yachts wrap around this point with very tight turns, bringing them closer to the foreshore. This is why you’ll find most photographers posted up alongside South Head, especially at the historic Hornby Lighthouse that was only reopened just months ago.
The downside here, of course, is that you’ll have to content with the crowds. The Watsons Bay bend is the most popular place to see the Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race so we suggest arriving as early as possible if you want a good spot. If you arrive around 9:30am you should get a good spot.
Where: The viewing spot is located along the S. Head Heritage Trail in Watsons Bay, just past Watsons Bay Boutique Hotel.
4. North Head, Manly
The unending ocean views from Manly’s North Head are spectacular on any day of the year, but throw in hundreds of boats with numerous helicopters zipping overhead and you get pure cinema. North Head is when the yachts take a turn out to the open seas, offering some epic shots of tight turns and dense clusters of white trailing around Sydney’s waters. Given the height of North Head, you’re also high above the action so have a vastly different vantage point to the crowds across the pond in Watsons Bay.
Where: The viewing spot is located in Sydney Harbour National Park on the Fairfax Track at the end of Scenic Drive.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does the Sydney to Hobart Yacht race start?
The Sydney to Hobart race starts on Boxing Day (December 26) at 1pm AEST.
How should I prepare for the Sydney to Hobart?
While you should leave any punishing physical feats to the participants about to navigate Australia’s choppiest waters, there are some things you can do to make the day more enjoyable. Bring a packed lunch and set up a picnic, like just about every other spectating Aussie on Boxing Day, and make sure you’ve got sunscreen in your backpack as well.
Where is the Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race finish line?
The Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race ends in the capital city of Hobart. The official finish line is located just off Castray Esplanade on the River Derwent, about 12 nautical miles from the entrance of the Derwent Estuary. This final 12-mile run is typically the most challenging section of the entire race, which only adds to the excitement for spectators.
Can I watch the Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race on TV?
The Boxing Day race will be aired by Nine Network’s free-to-air channel as as well as its 9Now live streaming service from 1pm AEST. You’ll also be able to watch archival footage from previous races, as well as pre-race interviews and live updates.
