Solway Voyager 3-Day Sailing

Sail on a Piece of History

The Solway Lass is the oldest operating tall ship in the Southern Hemisphere, built in the Netherlands in 1902. She has spent decades in the Whitsundays and every timber on her deck has a story. At over 30 metres, she is large enough to be comfortable but intimate enough that you get to know everyone on board by the second morning.

This three-day, two-night trip is the best way to see the Whitsundays without rushing. You cover more ground than a day trip, visit quieter anchorages, and spend enough time on the water to actually unwind rather than just tick boxes.

Day One

8:00 AM — Check in at Abell Point Marina. The crew welcome you aboard, run through safety procedures, and show you to your bunk. Once bags are stowed and the lines are cast, the Solway Lass motors out of the harbour.

9:30 AM — Sails go up. Watching the crew hoist the traditional square rig sails is a spectacle in itself. If conditions allow, passengers are invited to help haul the ropes. The ship heels gently as the wind fills the canvas, and the engine goes silent.

12:00 PM — Lunch on board. The galley produces hearty, fresh meals that keep getting better throughout the trip. Salads, wraps, grilled proteins, and plenty of tropical fruit.

2:00 PM — First snorkelling stop in a sheltered bay. The fringing reefs of the inner Whitsundays are home to turtles, colourful reef fish, and the occasional reef shark. All equipment is provided, and crew swim with you to point out the highlights.

5:00 PM — Anchor in a quiet bay for the evening. Paddleboards and kayaks are launched for anyone wanting to explore the shoreline. The water at dusk is glass-flat and warm.

7:00 PM — Dinner on board under the stars. The crew serve a proper sit-down meal and the evening unfolds into stargazing, conversation, and sleep on a gently rocking ship.

Day Two

7:00 AM — Breakfast at anchor, then the ship sails for Hook Island.

9:30 AM — Snorkelling at Hook Island. The reefs here are some of the most vibrant in the Whitsundays, with better coral coverage and larger marine life than the more visited sites. Giant clams, parrotfish, and Maori wrasse are common sightings.

12:00 PM — Lunch, then sail towards Whitehaven Beach.

2:00 PM — Whitehaven Beach and Hill Inlet. The crew guide you on the bushwalk up to the Hill Inlet lookout where the swirling white silica sands and turquoise waters create one of the most photographed views in Australia. Afterwards, you have time to swim and wander the beach.

5:30 PM — Sail to the evening anchorage. More paddleboarding, more sunset, more of the Whitsunday pace that makes three days feel like a week.

Day Three

7:00 AM — Final breakfast on board. There is a particular calm to the last morning. People are tanned, relaxed, and slightly sad that it is ending.

8:30 AM — Last snorkelling session or paddle before the ship weighs anchor.

12:00 PM — Lunch on the return sail to Airlie Beach.

3:00 PM — Arrive back at Abell Point Marina.

Sleeping on the Solway Lass

Accommodation is shared cabins below deck with comfortable bunks, fresh linen, and proper mattresses. The ship has hot showers and clean bathrooms. On warm nights, many guests drag their mattresses up to the deck and sleep in the open air. There is nothing quite like falling asleep to the sound of water against the hull with the Southern Cross directly overhead.

Who It's For

The Solway Lass attracts a mix of backpackers, couples, and anyone drawn to the romance of tall ship sailing. It is social without being a party boat. The three-day pace means there is plenty of downtime between activities, making it ideal for people who want adventure but also value quiet mornings on the water.