December 26 is Boxing Day and hence a national holiday in Australia, which is celebrated in a number of ways. One of the adventurous and stylish ways to do it is sailing from Sydney to Hobart on a yacht piercing the turquoise water of Bass Strait. However, you won’t be alone celebrating the day. Therefore, you have to compete with many other contestants taking part in the annual Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race.

You don’t really have to be one of those yacht-sailing-maniacs to get pleasure from the race. You can simply watch the energized participators competing, with a barbeque, picnic, or while cruising on the Sydney Harbor. Celebrate the New Year eve while the competitors reach the finish line in Hobart.

This Australian summer sport is amongst the top ranking events of the world like the national events of Davis Cup and Melbourne Cup Horse Race. However, no other sport attracts such huge media coverage as the yacht race does.

Watching the start of this race is a Boxing Day ritual followed by the Australians. To get the best views, secure a front seat or a standing spot anywhere on the racing harbor line. The race starts from Rushcutters Bay, Sydney toward the Western Bay and the jagged crags of the South Head. If you don’t get a seat there, don’t fret because you can watch the competitors from Cremorne Point, Clifton Gardens, Bradley’s Head, or Manly while they move to North Head.

The participants have to sail 628 oceanic miles that starts from Sydney Harbour, through Australian east coast, Bass Strait, Tasmanian East Coast, Storm Bay, jerky Derwent River, and at last the finish line in Battery Point in Hobart, Tasmania.

The initiation in 1945 and the success thereon of Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race is due the shared efforts of Cruising Yacht Club of Australia and the Royal Yacht Club of Tasmania. So they rules have been set by them. However, these rules have been altered a number of times to offer a fair chance to the handicaps. So, even if you cross the finish line first with a good margin over the second contestant, don’t be astonished if you find that the Overall Winner is a participant who was fifth, sixth or even tenth. Numerous handicaps take part in this race, so they get some grace seconds and an edge over the others.

There are no entry barriers depending on nationality, experience level, or size of yacht. You would notice few minute 30 feet yachts, some mid sized and some as big as 90 feet. Sailing enthusiasts from all parts of the come here on every 26th December despite the saddening death of six competitors in 1998 caused due to a cruel storm. The waves on that day were as high as 10 metres. Out of 115 competitors, only 44 successfully crossed the finish line. Others were rescued by life-saving helicopters.

However, a single incident is not enough to rupture the inspiration of sailing buffs. In 1999, in spite of warning issued by the weather department, 79 sailors competed in the race.

So, if you are among the ones who can sail the breezy waves better than the others, grab your yacht and reach the pictorial Sydney Harbour at 1300 hours this 26th December. Don’t fret if you cannot be the first one to race through the finish line because much better entertainment awaits you beyond that line. Attend the winner declaration on Constitution Dock of Hobart just after the race and enjoy the New Year celebration on the water front. Watching the fireworks above the Sullivians Cove with a glass of Tasmanian wine is indeed a pleasurable experience.

Wander Salamanca Place

It is located on the cobblestone square of Hobart’s waterfront. You will find active Salamanca Markets with full of potters, painters, etc. This is the green market with different flowers, fruits and vegetables. The galleries, theatres, restaurants and shops of 1830 make this place a site seeing. Drink coffee and take pleasure of breeze under the sun umbrellas will make you feel pleasurable.

Mount Wellington

The view of South Arm, Bruny Island, and Tasman Peninsula from the top of Mount Wellington is an adventurous experience. The pre historic Pipeline Track also known as Wellington Range can be seen while riding a horse. There is a Octopus Tree which is the tallest tree in the forest is on the Climb Sphinx Rock. The bike and a four wheeler ride on this mountain is a thrilling experience. It is 1,270 meters above sea level at a distance of 20 minutes from Hobart.

Oldest parish of Hobart

The beautiful cottage of fishermen in the Battery Point and the grand old mansions staying in this small village is an unforgettable experience. The name Battery point was given to this place after 1818 when battery of guns was put on the point. St.George’s Anglican Church, Arthur Circus Cottages and Van Diemen’s Land Folk Museum are the attractions of this village.

Kettering and Richmond

It is one of the oldest jail and oldest Bridge and is a picturesque area. It is located towards the north east side of Hobart at 30 minutes time duration. The ghost tour and the lantern light are the picnic spots on the banks of the Coal River. The craft and art galleries are must watch. Going way back to Hobart where many wineries on the Coal Valley are located to get the wine experience. Town of Kettering and seaside make a look of painting from the south of Hobart.

Blue water Classic

The Sydney Hobart Yacht Race starts on Boxing Day of Australia from Sydney to Hobart. The distance of the race is 630 miles and organizes under the co-operation of Royal Yacht Club of Tasmania. Initially the race was just to get a cruise experience for the tourists and planned by Peter Luke. The idea to make it a race was given by Captain John Illingworth was a regular visitor and a British Royal Navy Officer. The first inaugural race was organized in the year 1945. It is one of the top yacht races in the world attracting people all around the world. It celebrated its 60th anniversary in 2004. Rolex is the naming sponsors of the yacht race from the year 2002 so it renamed as Rolex Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race the naming sponsorship will be continued up till 2010.

How to get there

Jetstar, Qantas and Virgin Blue are the airlines connected with Hobart and main areas of Australia. There are no direct international flights to Hobart as Hobart International Airport is located 17 kilometers away from Hobart. All the airlines operate from Tasmania. There are many bus companies which operate between Tasmania and Hobart these are Redline Coaches, Tassie Link etc you will get them at Hobart Bus Terminal easily while Hobart Coaches provide regular services from Richmond, New Norfolk and Kingston and they connect the south of Hobart to D’Entrecasteaux Channel to Cygnet.

Where to stay

There are hotels in and outside neighboring areas of Hobart; you will easily get good hotels in Hobart with luxurious facilities and comforts. They are five stars to two stars from high rage to low range. Lodges are also available for tourists in Hobart. Many hotels have beautiful picturesque site views from balconies. There are hotels to nearby airports.  To see Hobart the visit should be of two or three days short which is sufficient to see the sites and village. Best time to visit Hobart is from November to March. You will see sunshine of few hours in Hobart as compare to other major cities of Australia. The area rarely gets snowfall as the Mount Wellington can be seen covered with snow sometimes in winter season. In the modern time the city has hardly received snowfall as they occur once in 15 years. The currency here is Australian dollar which is equal to $ 91.15 the rates are fluctuating. There are many branches of major banks near the Elizabeth St Mall with many suburban branches. ATMs are also available in many parts of Hobart. Traveler’s cheques are also accepted in five star hotels.

There are many entertainment activities in Hobart like Bars, Pubs, Restaurants, shopping places, sites and much more. There are 35 much watch sites in Hobart which include historical, industrial, military, archeological, parks, gardens, museums, galleries, heritage, roosty atmosphere and festivals. Hobart is one of the best watch experiences of Australia.