Sydney to Auckland Ocean Race Event News
Sydney to Auckland Ocean Race: Unpleasant night at sea
MEDIA RELEASE Last night was a harsh reminder of how a beautiful sail on the
Competition is on as Lucky continues Sydney to Auckland Ocean Race lead
MEDIA RELEASE Bryon Ehrhart’s Lucky (USA) continues to lead the Sydney to Auckland Ocean Race
RPAYC Boats are slicing through the waves in the Sydney to Auckland Ocean Race 2025
Bryon Ehrhart’s Lucky was lucky to make the start of the Sydney to Auckland Ocean
Strong Westerlies and Pre-Frontal Winds Set the Stage for Sydney to Auckland Ocean Race 2025
As competitors prepare to set sail in the 2025 Sydney to Auckland Ocean Race this
Join in the celebrations and support competitors as they race to Conquer the Tasman in 2025!
Join in the celebrations and support competitors as they race to Conquer the Tasman! The
First Picasso rounds out Sydney to Auckland Ocean Race entries
Rob McClelland’s First Picasso – Credit Ivor Wilkins pic First Picasso rounds out Sydney to
Palm Beach Motor Yachts joins the Sydney to Auckland Ocean Race 2025
MEDIA RELEASE – 25 September, 2025 Excitement is building ahead of the Sydney to Auckland
RPAYC Entrants in the 2025 Sydney to Auckland Ocean Race
As the countdown continues toward the start of the 2025 Sydney to Auckland Ocean Race,
Photograph credit: Start of the Sydney to Auckland Ocean Race 2023
The Journey to Auckland
Information for competitors and spectators of the race
The Royal Akarana Yacht Club is one of New Zealand’s oldest yacht clubs and occupies a unique place in this country’s recreational sailing history.
Throughout its 127 years, it has been at the forefront of New Zealand yachting and, particularly in its early years, has had a huge influence on the way the sport developed in this country. Visit the club at https://rayc.co.nz/
Baggage / Gear Transport from Sydney to Auckland
Pack & Send in Mona Vale
Pack & Send will be at the club for the Skippers Briefing and Crew Party (Thursday 9th October 2025) from 1700hrs, bags and gear can be dropped with them and will be transported Air Freight to New Zealand. They will be able to provide estimates of freight costs. If you wish to contact them directly ahead of departure:
Pack & Send Mona Vale Service Centre
Email: monavale@packsend.com.au
Pack & Send can tailormade box sizes to any size according to customer preferences.
Phone +61 2 9910 7000
Unit 2/1785 Pittwater Road, MONA VALE NSW 2103 Australia
monavale@packsend.com.au | www.packsend.com.au/monavale
Competitor Information
Marina Berthing
RPAYC: Berths for competing boats may be available at RPAYC for a discounted rate in the build-up to the Race. For more details on berthing at the RPAYC and alternative berthing in Pittwater and Sydney, please contact the RPAYC. waterfront@rpayc.com.au
AUCKLAND: Berthing will be provided on arrival in Auckland at Jellicoe Harbour at the Wynyard berths.
Berthing after customs clearance.
Berthing will be alongside across berths WYN 02 – WYN 09
Competitor showers and toilets will be located on the quay adjacent to the berthing, access by code.
Water and electricity are available in the berths. Electrical connection is by 63a and 125a connection. Shore power cables require to have been tested and tagged.
Attached is a map of the berths Wynyard Berths including WYN 17 (Quarantine Berth).
Berthing is available on Halsey Wharf until the 24th October 2025. The first 48hrs after arrival is covered by the entry fee, further berthing fees are the responsibility of each boat. Visitor short stay berthing fees will apply.
The Race Committee will direct boats to their temporary berth. Boats planning to stay on in Auckland or New Zealand should contact Via Duct Marine to make arrangements. It is a condition of Entry that boats must moor in accordance with the directions of the Via Duct Marina Manager.
Race Office
RPAYC: 16 Mitala Street Newport, Australia
Auckland: via mobile +61 0459 291 257.
Track the Fleet
Each yacht will have a Yellow Brock Tracker installed by the Organising Authority. Competitors and spectators will be able to follow the fleet live as they cross the Tasman.
Pre – Departure Paperwork
Yachts will have to provide an Export Declaration Notice (EDN) on departure to obtain a certificate of clearance and an Import Declaration (N10) on return.
Australian Border Force have recommended the use of a customs broker to assist with customs formalities, due to the complexity of the customs laws and the consequences of an incorrect declaration.
Useful Links
- https://www.abf.gov.au/entering-and-leaving-australia/entering-and-leaving-by-sea/yachts-and-pleasure-craft
- https://www.abf.gov.au/importing-exporting-and-manufacturing/importing/how-to-import/import-declaration
- https://www.abf.gov.au/importing-exporting-and-manufacturing/exporting/how-to-export/export-declaration
Departure Sydney, Australia.
On Saturday morning (11th October 2025) Australian Border Force will be available to check yachts and crew out of Australia from the CYCA and MHYC ahead of the start of the race.
If you have not already let us know where you plan to be, MHYC or CYCA, on the morning of the race please let me know by reply.
Australian Registration
Guide to registering your ship on the Australian General Shipping Register
Under the Shipping Registration Act 1981 (the Act), all Australian owned or operated ships, 24 metres and over in tonnage length, and capable of navigating the high seas, must be registered. Any ship sailing to a foreign port must also be registered, regardless of size. All other craft, including Government ships, fishing and pleasure craft need not be registered, but may be if the owners desire.
Apply for a temporary pass for yacht races, rallies, and sailing overseas
Custom requirements are applicable to all crew and boats. RPAYC has arranged for the Australian Boarder Force to conduct Custom Clearances at CYCA and MHYC.
Arrival Auckland, New Zealand.
Once you have crossed the finishing line in front of the Royal Akarana Yacht Club (full details in the Sailing Instructions) you will be required to proceed to the quarantine berth located on Halsey Wharf, Wynyard Berths, berth WYN17. Crews will be required to remain on the boat in the quarantine berth until customs and bio-security have cleared the boat.
Customs and MPI arrangements need to be made directly by vessels, the race committee will assist in keeping them informed of anticipated arrival times.
Customs NZ on 029 296 1375 or aklshipsservices@customs.govt.nz and MPI on 029 909 3005 or akwvessels@mpi.govt.nz
The requirements for yacht arrivals into NZ are outlined at Arriving in NZ in yachts and other recreational boats | NZ Government (mpi.govt.nz)
Please go to Step 5 for links to documents to notify MPI and Customs of the arrival.
Please be aware: Customs and MPI Biosecurity operating time frames are as follows:
- Monday – Friday: 0630hrs – 1800hrs
- Weekends: TBC
Yachts arriving outside of these hours will need to be processed the following day. Yachts and crew must remain within the quarantine berth until such time that clearance is given by Customs and Biosecurity.
Despite our best efforts to get boats processed throughout the finishing times of the race we have been unable to organise out of hours service and therefore please be prepared to stay on board on arrival in Auckland until Customs has been cleared.
We will continue to do our best and negotiate to make arrival out of hours as painless as possible.
New Zealand Customs
Competitors are reminded that it is their sole responsibility to ensure that they clear out through customs in Australia and clear customs into New Zealand on arrival. NewZealand Entry and Visa requirements may be applicable to you. NewZealand Custom Officers will meet Competiors on arrival to Auckland on berthing at the Auckland ViaDuct Berths.
For more information on the requirements for entering New Zealand by Yacht and for the New Zealand Customs Service, Yacht Pack see: https://www.customs.govt.nz/personal/travel-to-and-from-nz/yachts/
Australian Border Force
View Departure & Entry requirements here: https://www.abf.gov.au/entering-and-leaving-australia/entering-and-leaving-by-sea
Park Hyatt Auckland
(https://www.hyatt.com/en-US/hotel/new-zealand/park-hyatt-auckland/aklph)
On the waterfront adjacent to where the boats will be berthed on arrival.
Hilton Auckland
(https://www.hilton.com/en/hotels/aklhihi-hilton-auckland/?SEO_id=GMB-APAC-HI-AKLHIHI)
10-minute walk along the seafront to where the boats will be berthed on arrival.
M Social
(https://www.millenniumhotels.com/en/auckland/m-social-auckland/?cid=gplaces-m-social-auckland)
10-minute walk along the seafront to where the boats will be berthed on arrival.
The Sebel Auckland
(https://www.thesebelauckland.co.nz/)
10-minute walk along the seafront to where the boats will be berthed on arrival.
The Hotel Grand Chancellor Auckland
(https://www.grandchancellorhotels.com/hotel-grand-chancellor-auckland-city)
15-minute walk to where the boats will be berthed on arrival.
QT Auckland
(https://www.qthotels.com/auckland/?utm_source=google&utm_medium=organic&utm_campaign=gmb)
10 minute walk around the Viaduct Basin to where the boats will be berthed on arrival.
Marsden Viaduct Hotel
(https://www.marsdenhotels.co.nz/marsdenviaduct)
5 minute walk around the Viaduct Basin to where the boats will be berthed on arrival.
Sofitel Auckland
(https://www.sofitel-auckland.com/)
5 minute walk around the Viaduct Basin to where the boats will be berthed on arrival.
Travelodge Hotel Auckland
5 minute walk to where the boats will be berthed on arrival.
JW Marriott Auckland
(https://www.marriott.com/en-us/hotels/akljw-jw-marriott-auckland/overview/)
15-minute walk to where the boats will be berthed on arrival.
There are also a larger number of holiday rental apartments around the Viaduct Basin within easy access of the berthing area. www.booking.com
Schedule of Events
- 11 October 2024: Early Bird entry (discount now closed)
- 11 September 2025: Entries Close (Late fee applies)
- 1 October 2025: Sailing Instructions, Entries, Divisions & Provisional Ratings Published
- 4 October 2025: Rating Deadline
- 4 – 11 October 2025: Rally starting window
- 9 October 2025: Skippers Briefing and Crew Cocktail Party (6:00pm RPAYC). Welcome drinks and canapes will be provided followed by a weather and race briefing at 1830hrs. We welcome all the crew, there families and Members to attend. Dinner will be available from the RPAYC Bistro following the briefing.
- 11 October 2025: Race Start Sydney Harbour
- On arrival: Wynyard Pavilion & Steinlager welcome
- TBA: Social event at Harken Westhaven
- RAYC: Race Presentation Saturday 18 October, 12.00pm
Further Information
The race has been classified by the Organising Authority an Australian Sailing Special Regulations category 1 race with the addition of the OAs own additional requirements as listed in the Notice of Race.
This means that an entrant will need to have a Cat 1 Audit done and additionally have an Australian Sailing National Certified Auditor sign off the O.A’s additional items.
- Download at Category 1 Audit requirements form here (from 1 July, 2023)
- Stability Declaration Form
- Communication Equipment Form
- Sat Phone Declaration
- Hull Construction World Sailing Structural Plan Review requirement information
- Australian Sailing Special Regulations Information
A crew register is available for the race hosted by MySailTeam.
There are a number of companies that can lease equipment to yacht owners as required for the race, e.g. Satelight phones, Liferafts, PLBs.
EPIRB Hire
The Place to Buy, Hire or Rent a Satellite Phone – EPIRBhire Thuraya Iridium Inmarsat
Sail Exchange
https://www.sailexchange.com.au/personal-safety-equipment/rental-gear/life-rafts-rental.html
Bettina Crafoord | Mobile – 0418 866 333
The race of a lifetime will draw the attention of an international and nationwide audience.
To be part of this event contact the Organising Authority at marketing@rpayc.com.au for a prospectus.