Photos

Our Early Years


1968/69 African Honeymoon
Married in the north of England, Jack and Jude rebuilt a derelict VW Van then drove this rattletrap through the Sahara, Congo, East Africa until reaching Johannesburg in South Africa. A journey taking 15 months.


1970/73 Building Banyandah
We redesigned a Hartley South Seas 38′ traditional design to have a flush deck, centre cockpit with spacious aft cabin, then built her in the backyard of a rented three bedroom semi-detached house. To save money we leased the third bedroom to a nice young fellow, our two infants shared a bedroom and we occupied the front room.


1973/87 Voyages of Banyandah
From first launch in 1973 until 1987, Banyandah was the “home on the water” for the Four J’s – who in ever increasing circles explored Earth while educating two sons, Jason and Jerome. This album covers those years.


Our Recent Voyages

2007/09 Australia Circumnavigation
After 16 years on the land, in 2007 Banyandah was relaunched and immediately set off to circumnavigate Australia – the voyage taking 2 years.

Also shown in story format


2009/10 Voyages of Banyandah
Once around Australia was not enough, so we sailed out our home port of Ballina, determined to witness parts of Australia missed on our first go round. One goal, reaching the summit of Mount Sorell, another, to witness where the last Tasmanian Aborigines were housed on the remote Flinders Island.


2010/11 Voyages of Banyandah
Banyandah wintered in Adelaide and upon our return, after slipping and heaps of work, we got down to the serious business of crossing the Great Australian Bight to explore islands and shorelines never seen before. We got as far as Albany, West Australia then sailed nonstop back across the Bight to Tasmania.


2012 Hunt for Huon Piner Remnants
In February 2012, Jack and Jude made a two-week journey up the Gordon River to Sir John Falls aboard Banyandah, and then in the Green Machine kayak, a further 12 km upstream to the “Rocky” Sprent River, all the time searching for Huon Piners remnants from the early 1900s..


2013 Furneaux Group Bass Strait
In 1797, the Sydney Cove ran aground on Preservation Island when delivering a shipment of Rum to the fledgling Sydney colony. Seventeen crew set off by longboat to seek help; only 3 survived that terrible journey. Visiting the wreck site put film making on our agenda. Heading to Lady Barron, Flinders Island’s major port, we took off for a five-day walkabout around the island. What a magical experience. These islands are a special place.


2013 Coral Sea Voyage of Banyandah
Banyandah sailed from Ballina, NSW directly to Cato Island in the Coral Sea. Our mission: To explore Coral Sea reefs and islets, film their exotic beauty and wildlife, and compare from a layperson’s view any changes we perceived from our previous visits out there in the 70s and 80s.



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