Melbourne to Launceston Yacht Race

The Melbourne to Launceston is the Grand Old Dame of Australian ocean races. She is the oldest ocean race in Australia and the fifth oldest on the face of the planet.

The arduous race crosses Bass Strait AKA 'The Paddock’ which requires night sailing skills, navigation proficiency and stamina from the crews. Bass Strait is renowned as one of the toughest stretches of water anywhere. The number of wrecks dotting the islands and coastal areas are testament to this. Wikipedia says it all, 'Strong currents between the Antarctic-driven Southeast portions of the Indian Ocean and the Tasman Sea's Pacific Ocean waters, provide a strait of powerful, wild storm waves. To illustrate its wild strength, Bass Strait is both twice as wide and twice as rough as the English Channel.

Finishing at Beauty Point, in the Georgetown/Low Head area, it is a wonderful place to see the ocean racing yachts and visit the wineries and enjoy Tasmanian food and wine up and down the Tamra River.