Alma Doepel was built in 1903 in Bellingen, NSW, by Frederik Doepel, and named after his youngest daughter Alma. She sailed mainly around the coast of Australia, carrying goods such as timber, wheat and jam.

She was also used in World War II as a supply vessel in Papua New Guinea, before returning to commercial service around Tasmania in 1946.

From 1961 to 1975 she was stripped of her rigging and used to carry limestone, before being sold, for the scrap value of her engines, to the Melbourne company Sail & Adventure in 1976.

Between 1988 and 1999 Alma Doepel completed around 140 nine-day Youth Sail Training Voyages with more than 4000 young Victorians having the opportunity to sail before the mast.

The Alma Doepel is dedicated to creating positive community impacts.  We believe tall ship sailing is unmatched in its abilities to achieve outcomes with young people.

It builds resilience, leadership, teamwork and communication skills, while boosting confidence and enabling young people to reach their own goals and ambitions.

For the first time since 1976 Alma Doepel will visit Hobart for the Australian Wooden Boat Festival.

The Board of Sail & Adventure Ltd has formally approved the voyage of Alma Doepel to the Australian Wooden Boat Festival in Hobart in February 2027.

This will be Alma Doepel’s first major interstate voyage following her restoration and an extraordinary milestone for everyone who has supported the ship over many years.  It also marks 50 years since the Alma Doepel departed Hobart for her new life in Victoria working with young people.

The timetable is tight, but we believe there is a clear pathway. Our focus is now on completing the critical work required to achieve survey, undertake sea trials and prepare the ship and crew for a safe passage from Melbourne to Hobart.

To make this happen, we need your help… We are now calling for:

Experienced crew interested in joining the delivery voyage, return voyage, sea trials or festival operations

Sponsors and donors willing to support the remaining essential works, safety equipment, voyage costs and youth participation

Skilled volunteers able to assist with electrical work, carpentry, rigging, painting, deck work, engineering, provisioning and voyage preparation

There will be a limited number of passengers joining us for the voyage. Stay tuned for more information and EOI process.

The immediate objective is to prepare Alma Doepel for a limited operating profile, subject to survey and regulatory approval. We are deliberately prioritising safety, compliance and reliability ahead of cosmetic or nonessential work.

This voyage is about far more than reaching Hobart. It is about returning Alma Doepel to active service and preparing her for the next generation of young people. The Festival gives us a national stage to demonstrate what has been achieved and what this ship can once again contribute.

If you can assist as crew, a sponsor, a donor or a volunteer, please email us (mail link to info@almadoepel.com.au) with your area of interest, relevant experience and availability.

There is still a great deal of work ahead, but the decision has now been made.

Alma Doepel is going to Hobart.

Donate now and be part of getting Alma Doepel to Hobart.

All donations over $2 are tax deductible.