Overview
The Cruising Yacht Club of Australia (CYCA) was founded in 1944 and sits on Rushcutters Bay at Darling Point, a few minutes from the Sydney CBD. It organises the Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race, the 628-nautical-mile Boxing Day classic that first started in 1945 with nine yachts, and the Blue Water Pointscore series of offshore races that leads up to it. Around the offshore program the club runs coastal, inshore and harbour twilight racing plus one-design regattas, and its own floating marina with 213 deep-water berths and a hardstand for Etchells, J/70s and J/24s. The Youth Sailing Academy, running since 1993, takes young sailors from learn-to-sail through to keelboat racing.
- Founded
- 1944
- Federation
- Australian Sailing
- Phone
- +61 2 8292 7800
- Registry code
- ABN 28 000 116 423
On the water with VesselSOS
- Family see you from shoreA live link in any browser – they don’t need the app.
- One tap to the right rescue centreThe app finds the rescue centre for where you are, with your position and call script even without signal.
- Return-time checkIf you’re not back in time, your people know.
- Shared hazard mapRocks, nets and other hazards reported by other boaters.
Regattas and series
Run or hosted by the club, per the club website. Dates and notices are on the club site.
- Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race628 nm offshore race from Sydney Harbour to Hobart, starting on Boxing Day; Category 1
- Noakes Sydney Gold Coast Yacht Race384 nm from Sydney Harbour to the Gold Coast, opener of the Blue Water Pointscore; Category 2
- Flinders Islet Race88 nm south to Flinders Islet off Port Kembla and back to Sydney Harbour; Category 3+
- Tollgate Islands Race260 nm overnight race to the Tollgate Islands off Batemans Bay and back; Category 2
- Bird Island Race83 nm north to Bird Island off Norah Head and back, the shortest Blue Water Pointscore race
- Cabbage Tree Island Race172 nm overnight race to Cabbage Tree Island off Port Stephens; the last big Hobart qualifier
- Audi Centre Sydney Blue Water Pointscoreseason-long offshore pointscore over six races from July to the Sydney Hobart
Live map, a start clock on every phone and results — when the club runs a race on VesselSOS Racing, it shows up here. Racing is a pilot with clubs for the 2027 season.
No race running right nowSee VesselSOS RacingSailing school and courses
Boat classes
History and achievements
- 1944The Cruising Yacht Club of Australia is founded in Sydney
- 1945Nine yachts leave Sydney on Boxing Day for what was planned as a cruise to Hobart; it becomes the first Sydney Hobart race
- 1993The Youth Sailing Academy starts
Home harbour & location
- Position
- 33°52.45′ S 151°14.03′ E
-33.87423, 151.23377 - Address
- 1 New Beach Road
Frequently asked
Can I learn to sail here?
Yes. The club lists these courses: Youth Sailing Academy, School Holiday Course, Winter Squads and Sailing Pathways.
When was Cruising Yacht Club of Australia founded?
In 1944.
Which regattas does the club run?
According to the club website, among others: Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race, Noakes Sydney Gold Coast Yacht Race, Flinders Islet Race and Tollgate Islands Race.