Tasmanian-owned expedition company On Board is celebrating 10 years of of exploration in Southwest Tasmania with a four-night Port Davey Escape expedition for two. The giveaway offers travellers the chance to experience one of Australia’s most remote and protected wilderness regions. On Board has been a proud member of Luxury Lodges of Australia since 2023, having built and launched their latest and most luxurious expedition vessel and hosted experience On Board Odalisque III. Enter the draw.

Over the past decade, On Board has quietly established itself as a leader in small-scale, place-led expedition travel. Key milestones include national recognition at the Australian Tourism Awards, membership in Luxury Lodges of Australia, and the design and launch of its purpose-built vessel Odalisque III in Hobart using 98 percent Tasmanian materials and suppliers. The company also expanded access to the southwest through the acquisition of Above & Beyond Tasmanian Seaplanes, enabling direct seaplane transfers to the expedition vessel.

On Board has contributed to conservation efforts through citizen science initiatives within the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area, wildlife care partnerships including an exclusive experience with Raptor Refuge, and by introducing nearly a thousand guests to the ecological and cultural significance of the region.

Operating in Tasmania’s UNESCO World Heritage-listed southwest, On Board has spent the past decade guiding small groups into Port Davey and Bathurst Harbour — a place defined by isolation, shifting conditions, and rare access. The anniversary prize reflects the company’s focus on low-impact, place-led travel in a region few reach.

Founded by diver and skipper Pieter van der Woude, On Board grew from early explorations of the southwest’s hidden waterways into an award-winning, family-led operation shaped alongside his daughter Alice. Since its official launch in 2016, the company has evolved through years on the water while remaining grounded in small-group access, local knowledge, and a commitment to letting the environment lead.

“Port Davey has a way of setting the terms,” says Alice van der Woude, Director of Marketing and Experience. “It is not something you arrive and conquer. It reveals itself slowly, and over time it becomes part of you. That is how this began for us as a family, and it is still how we approach every expedition. We are here to share it, not shape it.”

The journey begins in Hobart, lifting off from the waterfront and heading west over the jagged peaks of the Arthur Range and the spire of Federation Peak. Guests travel over ancient forests and winding waterways before descending into a secluded bay along Port Davey and Bathurst Harbour — a rare seaplane entry into a landscape without roads, towns, or conventional access. The aircraft lands directly beside Odalisque III, making the journey itself a defining part of the experience.

Days unfold according to the conditions, with guided walks, tender excursions, and time spent moving through waterways, along remote shores, and beneath quartzite peaks shaped by weather and time. Wildlife encounters are unscripted: dolphins, seals, and critically endangered orange-bellied parrots move through these waters, while the surrounding landscape holds traces of deep time and Needwonnee and Ninene cultural living history. Each voyage is shaped by the environment, with no fixed itinerary beyond the intention to explore deeply, lightly, and with care.

“I first came here as a young abalone diver, learning the coastline by feel,” says Pieter van der Woude. “It still asks the same thing of you — to slow down and pay attention.”

To mark the milestone, On Board is offering one winner and their guest its signature four-night Port Davey Escape expedition, including return scenic seaplane flights from Hobart and an all-inclusive stay aboard Odalisque III. The prize reflects the heart of the On Board experience, alongside a shorter two-night Port Davey Highlights expedition and more immersive six-night voyages.

The prize is valued at AUD $23,200 and is valid for travel within three years of the announcement. Entries are open to Australian residents, with participants invited to submit a short response describing their connection to, or curiosity about, southwest Tasmania. The winning entry will be selected based on how well it reflects the spirit of the region and the On Board experience.

Enter the giveaway

Quick Facts – Signature 4-Night Port Davey Escape

  • Duration: 4 nights / 5 days
  • Starts & Ends: Hobart
  • Destination: Port Davey & Bathurst Harbour, Tasmania’s Southwest National Park and UNESCO Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area
  • Access: Return scenic door-to-door seaplane transfers between Hobart waterfront and floating luxury lodge Odalisque III
  • Guests: Maximum 12
  • Vessel: Odalisque III, 24-metre purpose-built expedition catamaran
  • Fares: From AUD $11,600 per person twin share, all-inclusive

On Board Marks 10 Years with Global Recognition

On Board was recently named in TIME World’s Greatest Places 2026, placing Tasmania’s remote southwest on a global stage. The annual list recognises destinations offering new ways to experience the world, with Port Davey noted for its rare access and immersive wilderness experience. The recognition reflects a decade spent shaping journeys that connect travellers to one of the last truly wild regions on Earth.

Shorter Stays, Same Wilderness

For travellers with limited time, On Board also offers a two-night Port Davey Highlights expedition, designed to capture the essence of the southwest in a condensed format. With direct seaplane access from Hobart, guests can enter this remote landscape and return within three days, while still experiencing the company’s small-group, low-impact approach.

Wilderness First: A Considered Approach

Operating in a remote and sensitive environment requires care. Through small-group travel and a deliberate approach to provisioning, water use, and waste management, On Board works to minimise its environmental footprint while maintaining guest comfort. This commitment extends to biosecurity practices and opportunities for guests to contribute to citizen science initiatives supporting conservation in the region.

Editor’s Notes

On Board is a Tasmanian-owned, family-operated expedition company marking 10 years of exploring Port Davey and Bathurst Harbour within the UNESCO Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area. The company operates Odalisque III, a 24-metre purpose-built expedition catamaran designed to deliver intimate, place-based experiences connecting guests to the landscapes, stories, and flavours of Tasmania’s remote southwest.

Experiences include locally sourced island produce, boutique wines, and small-batch whiskies. As a member of Luxury Lodges of Australia, On Board reflects a commitment to sustainability, authenticity, and experiential travel, with privileged access to one of the last truly wild regions on Earth.