Our voyage around Australia

Tribal Warrior's epic circumnavigation of Australia, uniting people everywhere

After a departure ceremony held at Cockle Bay, the Tribal Warrior left Sydney on 30 August 2001, heading North on her epic voyage to circumnavigate Australia. Her mission was to visit every major Australian Aboriginal Community around the nation, and encourage coastal and river communities to re-establish and strengthen their ties with the water, both for work and recreation.

The Tribal Warrior returned triumphantly to Sydney Harbour on 9 June 2003 and was greeted at the entrance to Sydney Harbour by a flotilla of tall ships and escorted to Campbell's Cove. The crew were greeted by Chief Executive Officer Bruce Stewart and Management Committee of the Tribal Warrior Association, together with Elders of the Gadigal peoples, members of the Eora Nation, and other dignitaries including Sir William Deane, Patron of Reconciliation Australia and former Governor General of Australia, and Mr Paul Wand, Chairman, Rio Tinto Aboriginal Foundation.

On her 648-day journey, the Tribal Warrior and her all-Australian crew encouraged the leaders of the communities they visited to take leadership roles in the maritime tourist industry, in their respective areas. The voyage was particularly successful in encouraging young Australians to experience the wholesome environment of our shores and waterways.