Enterprize Tall Ship busy October

by Rod Thomas on 30 Sep 2011 Melbourne's Tall Ship Enterprize has a busy month of public sails in October with sailings on over twenty days from Williamstown, Geelong, and the new home port of Melbourne's Docklands.

The first week of October is Victorian Seniors week and the second week of the school holidays, and there are public sails each day. From Saturday first to Monday third there are one hour sails from 11am each day from Steampacket Jetty in Geelong. People of all ages are invited to sail on the replica of the 19th century sailing ship at Geelong on the AFL Grand Final weekend. Late Monday afternoon there is the opportunity for a longer trip with a transit voyage of around five to six hours from Geelong to Melbourne from 4pm.

The traditionally rigged top sail schooner Enterprize then has six days of sailings from Williamstown. From Tuesday fourth to Friday October 7th there are one hour sails from Gem Pier in Williamstown. Overnight on Friday seventh there is an Overnight Adventure sail on Port Philip, with a daylight hours Day on the Bay scheduled for the Sunday.

The Enterprize moves on to Melbourne's Docklands for the first Evening Cruise of the season at 6pm on Friday 14th October, and a week of twilight Evening Cruises and weekend sails from Melbourne's Docklands across the last week of October, concluding with a twilight Evening Cruise on Melbourne Cup Eve 31 October. The week of sailings coincides with Melbourne's History Week. This will be a great opportunity for people to sail in the Docklands/lower Yarra waterways surrounded by the city of Melbourne and the growing Docklands precinct developments.

In September the Enterprize's home port and the Enterprize Trust offices were relocated from Williamstown on Port Phillip to Melbourne's Docklands. At the announcement of the move the Chairman of the Enterprize Trust, Andrew Plympton said that the Trust and the Enterprize volunteers who operate the boat are looking forward to the new sailing season and the new home base at Docklands. 'We will continue to have sails departing from Gem Pier, Williamstown and other sails in Port Phillip each month.' Andrew said. ' The Trustees’ decision to relocate to Docklands will bring Enterprize closer to the city she represents and make this unique sailing experience more accessible to more Melburnians and visitors.' He said 'We are grateful for the assistance from Tall Ships Victoria in assisting us with the move to Docklands. We will be joining a vibrant growing community and an active Marine and Boating hub in the City of Melbourne's fastest growing precinct Docklands. There will be exciting opportunities to be involved in the future boating facilities and operations envisaged in the Docklands Strategic Plan being developed by the City of Melbourne, VicUrban and Parks Victoria.'

On Friday the 18th November Enterprize takes off from Melbourne on a six day voyage to the East of Victoria past Wilson's Promontory to Port Welshpool. This is an annual voyage which provides a great experience for people who are looking for an extended ocean adventure on a traditionally rigged sail boat visiting mainland areas and islands which are not readily accessible. From 24 to 27 November the boat will be open for inspection to schools and the general public at Port Welshpool As at 30 September there were only two berths left for this trip. Expressions of interest are also being taken for future ocean voyages.

Go to www.enterprize.org.au for further information and online bookings for all Enterprize sailings or call Enterprize Trust office on 9621 1294.