Clipper Stad Amsterdam visits Sydney

Sydney Harbour will welcome on Saturday 13 February the the Randstad Clipper Stad Amsterdam - a historical reconstruction of a mid-19th century clipper ship.

As part of its worldwide voyage celebrating the 200th Anniversary of Charles Darwin’s birth, the Randstad Clipper Stad Amsterdam is retracing the exact route of Sir Charles Darwin’s journey on board the Beagle.

The voyage also celebrates the 150-year anniversary of On the Origin of Species, Darwins' theory of evolution. Darwin’s great, great grand daughter, Sarah Darwin, is onboard, along with other scientists and international researchers, to probe the past, present and future of life as it evolves on our planet.

The Stad Amsterdam will be visiting Sydney for four short days before setting sail to Melbourne, Adelaide and Perth as part of a documentary for a Dutch TV network (NL2).

With a mast as tall as a 15 story building, 29 sails and the length of two and a half Sydney to Hobart super-maxi yachts, the Stad Amsterdam will be an eye-catching feature on Sydney Harbour and a unique photo opportunity.

The Clipper left Plymouth in the UK on 1st September 2009 for a 10-month voyage that will visit many of the same ports that formed Darwin’s original five-year expedition on board the Beagle. Both the Skipper and Sarah Darwin will be available for interview.

The Stad Amsterdam was built by global recruitment & HR services company, Randstad, in cooperation with the City of Amsterdam in 1997, providing work experience and training to a diverse group of 138 unemployed people.

The ship will sail into Sydney Harbour on Saturday 13 February at approximately  10.00am. The Clipper will dock at approximately 11.00am at Pier 2, 13 Hickson Road, Walsh Bay Sydney until it sets sail for  Melbourne on Wednesday 17 February.