Best Boxing Day harbour cruises in Sydney 2022

Boxing Day might be a public holiday, but Sydney doesn't take the day off. Instead, it hosts one of the most iconic yacht races in the world: the Sydney to Hobart.

From the harbour, yachts set sail for Bass Strait vying for glory. And while you can watch it on the TV or the foreshore, for something truly exceptional you can hop on a cruise to chase the yachts as they leave the headland.

Now that's how you spend Boxing Day.

Check out our top picks for the cruises that are operating this year.

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Top picks for other Boxing Day harbour cruises

Keen for a sleep in? Maybe you'd prefer to soak under the Sydney sun instead of being part of the race action? These cruises run on 26 December and take in the beauty of the harbour throughout the day.

Top picks for Boxing Day harbour cruises you can still book that chase the start of the Sydney to Hobart

Boxing Day harbour cruises in Sydney that you can book now

Boxing Day Cruise from Viator

Experience the famous Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race as you track the magnificent vessels as the leave Sydney Harbour for Tasmania on Boxing Day.

• Departs from and returns to:Darling Harbour
• Departure time: 11:30am
• Duration: 3 hours

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Sydney Harbour Boxing Day Race Start from Viator

Celebrate Boxing Day in Sydney Harbour with on a tall ship cruise. It includes entertainment, a barbecue lunch and drinks on board .

• Departs from:Campbell's Cove The Rocks
• Departure time: 11:15am
• Duration: 4 hours

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Boxing Day harbour cruise deals

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Where to watch the Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race

The 2021 Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race is back on after skipping last year.

If you haven't secured yourself a spot on one of the spectator ships above, there are numerous vantage points in both Sydney and Hobart where you can watch the race in action.

Sydney vantage points:

• South or North Head. These are the ideal spots to catch the fleets as they set sail from the 2 starting lines to the north and south of Shark Island. In North Head, find your place at Cremorne Point, Bradley's Head, Clifton Gardens or at the Q Station. In South Head, try for Rushcutter's Bay, Hornby Lighthouse and restaurants along the shorefront of Watson's Bay.
• Sydney Harbour National Park. Offering more space for a better view, Sydney Harbour National Park boasts panoramic views of both North and South heads.
• Headland Park. This former military lookout drinks up endless views of Sydney Heads, the city skyline and the eastern suburbs.

Hobart vantage points:

• Constitution Dock. Sending the fleets off is one thing, welcoming the winners as they stream in is another. In Hobart, Constitution Dock comes to life with the Hobart Race Village. It's a week-long festival with family-friendly activities, food trucks, markets and more.
• Battery Point. For that glorious photo finish, be there at the official finishing point on Castray Esplanade in Battery Point.
• Wrest Point. Overlooking the Derwent River, Wrest Point hotel is one for the fanatics trying to catch the first fleets as they arrive in the wee hours of the morning from the comfort of their private balconies.

The official Rolex Sydney to Hobart website provides a live tracker to monitor the progress of the fleets in anticipation of the winner. You can also follow the race on the site via a live feed.

Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race frequently asked questions

• When does the Sydney to Hobart start? The fleet officially sets sail at 1pm on Boxing Day from the start lines just off Nielson Park. A 10-minute warning signal is made at 12:50pm and a preparatory signal sounds at 12:55pm.
• When does Sydney to Hobart finish? The race ends on 1 January, the time of which is dependent on when the first ship crosses the finishing line in Hobart.
• Where does the Sydney to Hobart finish? The official finishing line of the Sydney to Hobart is off Castray Esplanade on the River Derwent, right in Battery Point.
• When was the first Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race? The first Sydney to Hobart set sail in 1945 after a group of friends decided to sail in competition. The winner took 6 days and 14 hours to complete the journey.
• How far is Sydney to Hobart? The course is 628 nautical miles, which is approximately 1,170 kilometres. It sails from Sydney into the Tasman Sea, travelling south down the east coast of Australia, through Bass Strait and down the coast of Tasmania, ending in Hobart.
• How long does the Sydney to Hobart Race take? While the first Sydney to Hobart may have taken over six days to complete, these days the Sydney to Hobart race lasts around one and a half days. In 2017, LDV Comanche completed it in 1 day, 9 hours, 15 minutes and 24 seconds.