Exploring History

Sailing, stories & stunning scenery! A magical combination of story telling, traditional tall ship sailing, served up with hearty food & good company.

Run only a couple of times a year, the R.Tucker Thompson Historic Northland Voyage is a unique experience that takes you back in time in a setting so special, you'll feel you have been transported back to the times of early explorers.

The voyages are run in partnership with New Zealand's Historic Places Trust, taking a select group of travellers that will get an amazing opportunity to explore the history of the Northland coast from the decks of a sailing vessel so much like those that plied this coast in the mid nineteenth century.

And Northland, birthplace of the nation is were so many events that shaped this nation took place.

Generally, voyages on the Tucker are reserved for youngsters who go out on 7-day youth development voyages and the adults rarely get a look in. So these voyages, which have been going since 2006, are much anticipated.

The voyage starts in the Bay of Islands and heads up the Northland coast to Whangaroa, following in the wake of famous explorers like Kupe, James Cook and Marion du Fresne; sometimes listening to the descriptions of events that they wrote at the very places things occured.

On board, stories are told of some little known early ineractions between Māori and Pākehā, visiting places associated with Māori like Te Pahi, Ruatara and Tuki who set out into the new world that had opened up to them. We hear of the successes, the triumphs and the disasters that befell them. There's later history too, with a famous poet and novelist, sites of the Second World War and a terrible act of international terrorism.

Without exception, everyone who has come on board as has rated it a stunning, magical and memorable experience.There have been those who have come on the voyage that declared they weren't interested in the History.

But bit by bit, they were drawn in to the fascinating stories of meetings, trade, treaty making, tragedy and misunderundstanding. There are those who don't care for the sailing, but inevitably they can't resist taking the helm,  joining in or helping in the galley.

There are those who came simply because their partners insisted - inevitably they have been entranced by being imersed in the experience and return home relaxed and stress free.

It's an experience not to be missed and if you simply want the chance to sail a tall ship, you'll love it too!