A Race Like No Other
While the Boxing Day Test unfolds in Melbourne, Sydney hosts another spectacle – the Rolex Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race. At 1 pm on 26 December, the fleet surges out of Sydney Harbour and begins the 628-nautical-mile run to Hobart. It's one of the world's toughest ocean races and a highlight of the Australian summer.
The contrast is part of the appeal. On the same day Australians settle into backyard chairs with cricket on in the background, thousands line Sydney Harbour to watch the start. It is explosive, fast, and over in minutes for spectators – but it marks the beginning of days of gruelling competition at sea.
A Brief History
The race began in 1945 when a group of sailors decided to turn a planned cruise to Hobart into a competition. It has since grown into a global event, attracting professional crews, supermaxis, and seasoned amateurs. Some years are smooth. Others, like the 1998 disaster, have reminded everyone how dangerous Bass Strait can be.
How to Watch the Start
Sydney offers several excellent vantage points:
- North Head and South Head – dramatic views as the fleet funnels out to sea
- Nielsen Park – good for families
- Bradleys Head and Cremorne Point – panoramic views
- On the water – if you have access to a boat, observe exclusion zones and keep clear of the fleet
If you're not in Sydney, the start is broadcast nationally and streamed online.
Following the Race
From the moment the fleet clears the Heads, the dynamic changes. Crews navigate shifting winds, swell, and the notorious Strait. Leaders usually reach Hobart in one to two days, depending on conditions. The dash up the Derwent River often decides line honours.
For most Australians, tracking the race involves live leaderboards, updates from the race website, televised coverage, and the annual ritual of checking whether a supermaxi is breaking records.
Why It Endures
The Sydney to Hobart endures because it blends spectacle with uncertainty. It is beautiful to watch, brutal to compete in, and deeply tied to our sense of summer.