Boxing Day: Sydney - Hobart Yacht Race Start - North Head!!!! Easy/Medium 12km

Boxing Day: Watch Sydney - Hobart Yacht Race Start from North Head!!!! Easy 12km

The world's most famous and gruelling ocean yacht race is the Sydney to Hobart which commences on Boxing Day. The yachts battle it out over a 1,163 kilometre course from Sydney Harbour to Constitution Dock in Hobart, Tasmania. The world's best racing yachts and crew are competing and we will watch the spectacular start from North Head! Yay!!

We catch the ferry from Wharf 3, Side B, Circular Quay to Manly Ferry Wharf, from where we strike out for Manly Beach promenade and have a quick bathroom break, before heading up to North Head via Shelley Beach.

On North Head we settle in and wait for the "10 minute to Start" canon shot to ring out across the Harbour, from Nielsen Park. The struggle between 100 yachts to gain an advantage at the start line will be on for young and old. We can expect spectacular tacking and close quarter sailing from the iconic Maxi Yachts.

We'll hang around to see which yacht is first out of Sydney Heads to make its starboard turn and line up for the long run to Hobart. After wishing the fleet "fair sailing" we'll leave them to it and resume our hike!

We head for the historic artillery Barracks Precinct and then on to the equally historic Quarantine Station to check out the Museum and have a bathroom break. We return via the spectacular St Patricks Estate, and use the promenade to return to Manly Ferry Wharf, with a quick beer for those who would like to.

Distance: 12 km

Type of Walk: This spectacular Boxing Day walk is filled with great variation, from historic sites to the magnificent craziness of the start of the world's number one ocean race. It'll be epic!!

Difficulty: Easy/Medium. moderate hills, good tracks, stopping here and there to check out what's happening. There are many get out points.

Walking Pace: We will average about 4.5 km per hour.

Meeting Place and Transport: We meet at Wharf 3, Side B, Circular Quay at 9:40AM, with our Ferry departing at 9:50AM arriving Manly Ferry Wharf at 10:20AM. Alternatively, meet the group just outside Manly Ferry Wharf by no later than 10:30 am. I cannot hold the group as we must be on North Head in time for the race start.

What to bring/wear: Trail runners/good walking shoes; 1.5 litres of water, refill along the way; hydrolytes; lunch; light rain jacket depending on conditions; sunscreen and a cap or hat with a wide brim. PLEASE DO BRING YOUR LUNCH, AS THE LOCAL CAFES WILL BE VERY BUSY AND YOU DON'T WANT TO WASTE TIME STANDING IN LINES.

Suggested Donation: $10

Pub: Ivanhoe Hotel, Manly Corso

By RSVPing to this event you (and your guests) agree to and are bound by the terms and conditions of SOMG which you can view here:

https://4142298.xyz/sydney-outdoors-meetup-group/messages/boards/thread/53245383

Questions? Please leave a comment below. I look forward to seeing you on this walk. I will post my mobile number closer to the day.

Ted.