Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race
At 1 pm on 26 December 2026 the fleet starts in Sydney Harbour for the 628 nm race to Hobart. An independent spectator’s guide: the course, where to watch the start, and the finish on the River Derwent.
Photo: Dietmar Rabich · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons
The course
- 628 nm: out through Sydney Heads, south along the New South Wales coast, across Bass Strait, down Tasmania’s east coast, across Storm Bay and up the River Derwent to Hobart.
Where to watch
- Headlands with harbour views, such as South Head, North Head and Bradleys Head, fill up early on Boxing Day.
- Spectator craft are allowed on the harbour behind the exclusion zones; follow NSW Maritime instructions.
- In Hobart, the waterfront near the finish gives a close view of boats arriving.
What to expect
- One of the world’s best-known harbour starts, with the fleet tacking towards the Heads in front of crowds on the shore.
- Bass Strait, where conditions can change fast, gives the race its reputation.
- Maxis can finish in under two days; smaller boats can take several more, so Hobart welcomes finishers over the holiday.
Plan your visit
- The organiser, the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia, lists the start for Saturday 26 December 2026 at 1:00 pm AEDT.
- The finish is on the River Derwent in Hobart, with boats berthing at the Hobart waterfront. The organiser runs a live tracker.
- Checked October 2026; confirm times before you go.
Sailing nearby: Pittwater and Broken Bay
North of Sydney, Pittwater and Broken Bay offer sheltered water and public moorings, a day’s sail up the coast.
Summer southerly changes can arrive quickly on this coast; watch the forecast. Checked October 2026.
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