Captain Cook ship replica of Endeavour to sail around Australia despite coronavirus pandemic

A tall ship voyage around Australia to remember Captain Cook is set to go ahead in six weeks despite state border closures to prevent the spread of coronavirus.

The federal government-funded Australian National Maritime Museum is still embarking on a plan to dock at 38 ports around the continent from May 6 to commemorate the 250th anniversary of Cook’s landing.

Each leg of the sold-out voyage on the replica of the HMB Endeavour can carry 56 people on board, including 16 professional crew.

Tickets were sold for 36 voyage crew places and four other travellers for the voyage around Australia, which received $6.7million from taxpayers.

A tall ship voyage around Australia to remember Captain Cook is set to go ahead in six weeks despite state border closures to prevent the spread of coronavirus

A well-placed source confirmed to Daily Mail Australia the Endeavour would sail around Australia even though Queensland, Western Australia, South Australia, Tasmania and the Northern Territory have closed their borders as the Commonwealth shuts down non-essential businesses for six months.

Where the Endeavour will stop in 2020

Sydney to Newcastle: May 6 and 7

Newcastle to Brisbane: May 12 to 18

Brisbane to Gladstone: May 26 to 31

Gladstone to Mackay: June 6 to 10

Mackay to Townsville: June 15 to 20

Townsville to Cairns: June 25 to 30

Cairns to Cooktown: July 21 to 25

Cooktown to Thursday Island: August 4 to 16

Thursday Island to Darwin: August 24 to September 17 

Darwin to Broome: October 12 to 22

Broome to Port Hedland: October 26 to 30

Source: Australian National Maritime Museum 

‘At the moment it’s going ahead,’ he said. 

‘Everyone is watching it closely.’ 

The replica ship is sailing into Sydney’s Botany Bay on April 29 to mark the British explorer’s 1770 landing on the HMB Endeavour at Kurnell, which is in Prime Minister Scott Morrison’s federal electorate of Cook.

From May it will begin sailing around Australia, with stops planned for Newcastle, along with Brisbane, Gladstone and Cairns in Queensland by the end of June.

From there, it is sailing to Cooktown and Thursday Island in July and August, before stopping at Darwin, Broome and Port Hedland from late August to October. 

The HMB Endeavour will continue to sail down the West Australian coast to Perth in October and November. 

A senior Queensland government source told Daily Mail Australia the voyage would be unwise at this time.

Legs of the journey have sold out with tickets on one section, between Mackay and Townsville, selling for $4,950.

A $500 deposit was required to confirm a place on the voyage but ticket costs are fully refundable should it be cancelled.

‘Join the voyage of a lifetime and the most bucket-list-worthy adventure on the high seas,’ the museum website said.

The federal government-funded Australian National Maritime Museum is still embarking on a plan to dock into 38 ports around the continent from May 6 to commemorate the 250th anniversary of Cook's landing

The federal government-funded Australian National Maritime Museum is still embarking on a plan to dock into 38 ports around the continent from May 6 to commemorate the 250th anniversary of Cook’s landing

The replica is sailing into Sydney's Botany Bay on April 29 to mark the British explorer's 1770 landing at Kurnell, which is in Prime Minister Scott Morrison's federal electorate of Cook in Sydney's south. Pictured is a painting of Captain Cook

 The replica is sailing into Sydney’s Botany Bay on April 29 to mark the British explorer’s 1770 landing at Kurnell, which is in Prime Minister Scott Morrison’s federal electorate of Cook in Sydney’s south. Pictured is a painting of Captain Cook 

In January last year, Mr Morrison announced the federal government would give $6.7million to the Australian National Maritime Museum for the voyage.

‘As the 250th anniversary nears we want to help Australians better understand Captain Cook’s historic voyage and its legacy for exploration, science and reconciliation,’ the Prime Minister said in a statement more than a year ago.

CORONAVIRUS CASES IN AUSTRALIA: 2,368

New South Wales: 1029

Victoria: 466

Queensland: 443

Western Australia: 205

South Australia: 170

Australian Capital Territory: 44

Tasmania: 36 

Northern Territory: 5

TOTAL CASES:  2,398

DEAD: 8

‘That voyage is the reason Australia is what it is today and it’s important we take the opportunity to reflect on it.

‘From Far North Queensland and the Cooktown 2020 Festival across to Bunbury and down to Hobart, our government will ensure Australians young and old can see firsthand the legacy of Captain Cook and the voyage of the Endeavour.’ 

On March 19, the New South Wales government allowed the cruise ship Ruby Princess to dock at Circular Quay in Sydney, which saw 2,700 passengers walk off the boat.

More than 130 of those aboard have now tested positive to COVID-19, making it the single greatest source of infections in Australia since the outbreak began.

A woman aged her 70s who was taken from the cruise ship to hospital after docking died on Tuesday morning.

Daily Mail Australia has contacted the Australian Border Force for comment. 

A well-placed source confirmed to Daily Mail Australia that the ship will sail around Australia even though Queensland, Western Australia, South Australia, Tasmania and the Northern Territory have closed their borders as the Commonwealth shuts down non-essential businesses for six months. Pictured is Constable Ashleigh Broadbent at Pinnaroo near the South Australian border

A well-placed source confirmed to Daily Mail Australia that the ship will sail around Australia even though Queensland, Western Australia, South Australia, Tasmania and the Northern Territory have closed their borders as the Commonwealth shuts down non-essential businesses for six months. Pictured is Constable Ashleigh Broadbent at Pinnaroo near the South Australian border

Legs of the voyage have sold out with one tickets on one section, between Mackay and Townsville, selling for $4,950. A $500 deposit was required to confirm a place on the voyage but ticket costs are fully refundable should it be cancelled

Legs of the voyage have sold out with one tickets on one section, between Mackay and Townsville, selling for $4,950. A $500 deposit was required to confirm a place on the voyage but ticket costs are fully refundable should it be cancelled

Read more at DailyMail.co.uk