Melbourne to Hobart Yacht Race
Date: 27 December 2026
Location: Portsea Pier, Melbourne, Australia
Organizer: Ocean Racing Club of Victoria (ORCV)
The Melbourne to Hobart, universally known as the Westcoaster, starts from Portsea Pier on 27 December and takes the fleet 435 nautical miles down the wild west coast of Tasmania. It is the harder-edged alternative to the Sydney Hobart, run the day after that race starts. Boats clear Port Phillip Heads, cross Bass Strait, then run down a coastline with almost no shelter, round the southernmost tip of Australia and beat up the Derwent River to Hobart. The race is run by the Ocean Racing Club of Victoria as a Category 2 offshore event, with divisions for fully crewed boats, double-handers and the club's distinctive four-plus-autohelm format, a crew of four assisted by an autopilot. The race has a reputation for rewarding small, well-sailed boats on handicap rather than outright size. The 2026 start is scheduled for 1110 on 27 December from Portsea Pier.
View this event on the World Sailing Day map
More sailing events in Australia
- World ARC 2026-27 Second Half Start — 8 September 2026 · Darwin, Australia
- Sail Melbourne 2026 — 26 November 2026 · Melbourne, Australia
- Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race — 26 December 2026 · Sydney, Australia
- ILCA Oceania and Australian Championships 2027 — 1 January 2027 · Melbourne, Australia
- Australian Optimist Championship 2027 — 2 January 2027 · Melbourne, Australia
- ILCA Under 21 World Championships 2027 — 10 January 2027 · Melbourne, Australia
See all sailing events in Australia, or browse the world map to discover regattas, open days and sailing festivals near you — and explore yacht clubs, marinas and sailing schools along the way.
Sailing nearby
Planning to attend? These clubs, marinas, schools and other sailing places are close to Melbourne and worth a visit while you are in the area:
- 1st Victorian Sea Scouts — Sea Scout Groups, Melbourne, Australia
- Melbourne Yacht Club — Yacht Clubs, Melbourne, United States
- Yachtmaster Sailing School — Sailing Schools, Melbourne, Australia
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