How many guests can Southern Swan carry?

Southern Swan carries up to 100 guests. She's a 1922 square-rigged three-masted barquentine with seating across both the upper and lower decks.

How much does it cost to hire Southern Swan?

Southern Swan is $1,092.50 per hour in low season (Jun–Aug), $1,322.50 per hour in shoulder season (Apr–May, Sep–Oct) and $1,552.50 per hour in peak season (Nov–Mar), with a 2-hour minimum charter. A 20% surcharge applies on public holidays. New Year's Eve is quoted separately — contact the Boatique team.

Can we BYO drinks on Southern Swan?

No. Southern Swan carries a fully licensed bar, so drinks are served through the vessel's own bar rather than BYO. Catering menus and beverage packages are available to book in advance.

What's the minimum charter time on Southern Swan?

Just 2 hours — shorter than the usual 4-hour minimum on most Boatique boats, making Southern Swan a workable option for a shorter sailing experience.

What's the history of Southern Swan?

Southern Swan was built in Denmark in 1922 as 'Our Svanen' and sailed Baltic trade routes as a cargo vessel, including charters for the Tuborg brewery, until 1969. She was later refitted and sailed for the Canadian Naval Cadets for nine years, and was the first vessel to sign up for the 1988 Australian Bicentennial First Fleet Re-enactment voyage from England to Australia. She's featured in films including Rite of Passage, Angels of the Deep, The Catalpa Rescue and Darwin's Brave New World.

What events suit Southern Swan?

Southern Swan suits sailing charters, corporate functions, school formals, function events, weddings and milestone celebrations — her 100-guest capacity sits in the middle of the fleet's three sister tall ships.

Does Southern Swan have a bar onboard?

Yes — a fully licensed bar, plus catering menus ranging from finger food to a full Tallship Menu and beverage packages from non-alcoholic through to all-inclusive.

Southern Swan

Weekday rates from $1092/hr — great value

Southern Swan Boat Hire Sydney — 1922 Tall Ship for up to 100 Guests

100 guests

2hr min

from $1,092/hr · 2hr min

Overview

Catering ✓

BYO food & drinks ✗

Sound system ✗

Swim platform ✗

Crew included ✓

Capacity

Max guests100

Seated dining100

Cocktail / standing100

Southern Swan is a genuine 1922 square-rigged three-masted barquentine chartering on Sydney Harbour for up to 100 guests — previously named 'Our Svanen', she sailed Baltic cargo routes for the Tuborg brewery before a major refit for the Canadian Naval Cadets. She carries a fully licensed bar and seating across both the upper and lower decks, with professional crew included. She's featured in several films including Rite of Passage and The Catalpa Rescue, and was the first vessel to sign up for the 1988 Bicentennial First Fleet Re-enactment voyage from England. From $1,092.50 per hour with just a 2-hour minimum, she suits sailing charters, corporate functions, school formals and function events looking for real maritime history.

Example Pricing Guide
2-hour minimum charter (not the usual 4-hour minimum) Hourly Rate

Low season (Jun–Aug): $1,092.50/hour
Shoulder season (Apr–May, Sep–Oct): $1,322.50/hour
Peak season (Nov–Mar): $1,552.50/hour

Special Rate Packages

Public holiday surcharge: 20% on total booking cost
New Year's Eve: contact Boatique for a quote
No wharf fee

Add-on Experiences

Mast climb experience — from $172.50 + $34.50pp
Treasure hunt on a harbour island — from $1,868.75
Laser clay shooting — $2,242.50
Goat Island convict tour — $2,392.00
DJ from $862.50, live musician from $920, face painting from $575

Features & Amenities

Licensed bar onboard
Seating on both upper and lower decks
Square-rigged 3-masted barquentine — built 1922, ex-'Our Svanen'
Professional crew included
Genuine sailing under square-rigged canvas, not a motor yacht
Film heritage — featured in Rite of Passage, Angels of the Deep, The Catalpa Rescue and Darwin's Brave New World
First vessel to sign up for the 1988 Australian Bicentennial First Fleet Re-enactment voyage from England to Australia
Originally sailed Baltic trade routes as a cargo vessel, including charters for the Tuborg brewery

Catering

Finger Food — $13.80pp
Devonshire Tea — $28.75pp
Afternoon Tea — $42.55pp
Tallship Menu — $44.85pp (starters, salads, mild butter chicken + loaded veggie curry, dessert)
Buccaneers BBQ — $63.25pp
Champagne Brunch — $63.25pp (incl. glass of sparkling wine on arrival)
Individual Canapés — $9.20pp/item

Beverages

Unlimited all-inclusive — $34.50pp/hr
Unlimited non-alcoholic — $13.80pp/hr
Cash bar, consumption bar or dry till also available

BYO
Not available — Southern Swan carries a fully licensed bar, so all drinks are served through the vessel's own bar service rather than BYO.

Occasions on Southern Swan

Sailing charters & sightseeing cruises
Corporate functions & team-building days
School formals
Function events & large celebrations
Weddings & proposals
Birthdays and milestone celebrations

Date

Guests

Duration

We'll email you this quote plus 2 similar boats

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Available Partial Booked On Request

Each cell shows day (top) and evening (bottom) availability

✓ Licensed Bar

✓ Seating Upper And Lower Decks

✓ Square-Rigged Sailing (3-Masted Barquentine)

✓ Heritage Tall Ship (Built 1922)

✓ Professional Crew Included

✓ Film Heritage Vessel

✗ BYO Not Allowed

✓ Crew Included

We also offer catering packages including canapés, BBQ, and sit-down dining options. Ask us for a tailored menu and pricing for your event.

𝐒𝐨𝐮𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐧 𝐒𝐰𝐚𝐧 is a 1922 square-rigged three-masted barquentine chartering on Sydney Harbour for up to 100 guests — a genuine tall ship with an extraordinary working history, and a striking choice for sailing charters, corporate functions, school formals and function events that want real sails overhead rather than a motor yacht deck. Previously named 'Our Svanen', she was built in Denmark and sailed Baltic trade routes as a cargo vessel, including charters for the Tuborg brewery, until 1969. She was then purchased as a private vessel by the Havers family, extensively refitted for larger and longer ocean voyages, and sailed for the Canadian Naval Cadets for nine years before eventually making her way to Sydney.

Onboard, Southern Swan carries a fully licensed bar and seating across both the upper and lower decks, giving a large group room to spread out under sail or below decks in the timber-panelled saloon. She has featured in several films, including Rite of Passage, Angels of the Deep, The Catalpa Rescue and Darwin's Brave New World, and was the first vessel to sign up for the voyage from England to Australia as part of the 1988 Australian Bicentennial First Fleet Re-enactment — the same fleet Soren Larsen led as flagship. It's a genuine piece of maritime history that gives any function real substance, not just a nice view. The operator has also hosted corporate charters for the likes of Google, KPMG and Bridgestone.

Southern Swan charters from $1,092.50 per hour in low season (Jun–Aug), rising to $1,322.50/hour in shoulder season (Apr–May, Sep–Oct) and $1,552.50/hour in peak season (Nov–Mar), with a 2-hour minimum charter — shorter than Boatique's usual 4-hour minimum. Public holidays carry the standard 20% surcharge; New Year's Eve pricing is quoted directly by the operator. Drinks and catering run through the vessel's own licensed bar rather than BYO. Southern Swan is part of a small, family-owned, Australian-owned fleet based at Campbells Cove, The Rocks — the current owners were even married aboard her — alongside sister ships Soren Larsen and Coral Trekker.

100

Max Guests

100

Seated

Decks

Use the pricing calculator above to get an instant estimate, then submit your details. Our team will send you a personalised quote within the hour. A 50% deposit secures your booking.

Southern Swan requires onboard catering. We offer a range of menu packages to suit every budget — from cocktail-style to sit-down dining. Ask us for the full menu.

Sydney Harbour is sheltered, so most cruises go ahead rain or shine. Southern Swan has covered areas for comfort. If conditions are genuinely unsafe (e.g. storm warnings), we'll work with you to reschedule.

Yes! Most boats have Bluetooth speakers. You can connect your phone and play your own playlist. DJs may be possible on larger vessels — ask our team.

A 50% deposit is required to secure your booking. The remaining balance is due 21 days before your cruise date.

Extensions are subject to availability and will be charged at the hourly rate. Let the crew know on the day and they'll check if it's possible.