Conscious Crusing
Sustainability is at the centre of On Board’s Odalisque III design
With just 12 guests, a minimal footprint is maintained when exploring, food miles are kept to a minimum and local produced and crafted elements feature across every aspect of the boat.
On Board’s new expedition vessel, Odalisque III, has allowed the even greater opportunity to bring our operational sustainability to the highest standard
Through considered design, the experience has a low environmental impact and avoids the requirement for a land-based footprint.
Built locally in Hobart, a focus on Tasmanian materials and suppliers was paramount throughout construction and furnishings were also sourced locally. Tinted glass has been used throughout to help keep the cabin temperature more stable when hit by the harsh Tasmanian sun. With large picture windows throughout the vessel, the tinted glass will reduce the reliance on air conditioners on hot days, reducing the overall requirement for energy production on board.
Odalisque III is fully self-contained, including black water holding tanks and associated procedures that fully comply with stringent Australian Maritime Safety Authority and Parks and Wildlife Service guidelines.
With a larger boat, comes a more sizeable demand for power. On Board has a large 920Ah lithium-ion battery bank installed in the hull of Odalisque III. This minimises the use of generators, ensuring they won't be running overnight.
Intimate, low-impact journeys
Our small group size of just twelve guests ensures a small footprint on the sensitive wilderness areas On Board visits
All guests are inducted by our team of expert guides into strong biosecurity practices which will include the checking of guests' external clothing and footwear for soil and seed remains.
Head Chef Toby Cannon and his team of culinary professionals are passionate about using only the freshest local ingredients. This keeps our food miles to a minimum. 100% of our produce is Tasmanian-grown or supplied locally and suppors great relationships with island producers. Guests will sample Tasmanian pinots from family-run vineyards, and taste their way through four craft beers and ciders on tap before feasting on freshly-caught seafood. Food wastage is minimised through tailored menu planning, which takes into account dietaries and dislikes, and reuses leftovers.
Our waste footprint is kept to a minimum as well. All waste and recycling is taken back to Hobart for disposal at approved facilities and green waste is composted. Single-use plastic is avoided, with friendlier, compostable alternatives being used as much as possible in all areas of the vessel. Just 4.6sqm of plastic wrap were used last season.
On Board is fully self-contained in all water production and use within the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area (TWWHA), with a water maker that converts salt water into freshwater. Rainwater collected on the roof of the vessel is saved as drinking water. From the pristine skies of the remote southwest, it’s some of the cleanest water in the world, we think.
“It’s clearly a convivial ship, and one with light environmental footprint thanks to its low food miles, large lithium ion battery that minimises generator usage and no waste discharge of any kind in the protected reserve.” – The Weekend Australian.
Conservation and care for the environment
Responsible tourism is core to our business design and innately connected with our purpose to inspire, educate and connect guests to a wilderness that we love
Throughout our expeditions, guests are encouraged to explore the wilderness with care. We travel in small groups, follow marked tracks and share the responsibility of protecting the places we visit. Our expert guides help guests understand the natural and cultural values of the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area (TWWHA) and the significance of this extraordinary landscape.
On Board has a longstanding relationship with Tasmania's Raptor Refuge, supporting its work in the rescue, rehabilitation and protection of birds of prey. To date, On Board has donated more than $10,000 to the Refuge and has also sponsored a $10,000 reward for information leading to the successful conviction of someone responsible for killing a raptor.
We also support the Seabird Island Restoration Group, which works to restore Tasmania's offshore islands as safe habitats for seabirds. Its work includes removing invasive plants and introduced animals, restoring habitat and protecting important breeding sites.
Gratuities are never expected on our expeditions. Guests who wish to give back may choose to recognise our crew or make a donation to either conservation organisation, helping support important work beyond the places we explore.
We've recently extended our support for Raptor Refuge through a collection of five photographic note cards available in our Floating Boutique aboard Odalisque III. Featuring images captured by guest photographers and members of our guiding team, the collection reflects the landscapes and quiet moments of Tasmania's remote southwest. Each card offers a small reminder of the places explored, with all proceeds from sales donated to Raptor Refuge at the end of each expedition season.
Our commitment to conservation also extends to sharing the stories of Tasmania's threatened plant species. In a special collaboration with Tasmanian botanical artist Deborah Wace, On Board has brought two of her designs, Giant Kelp Forest and Lomatia tasmanica, aboard Odalisque III. Featured on soft linen cushions in our guest cabins, the artworks invite a closer look at two remarkable and vulnerable species.
Giant Australian Kelp (Macrocystis pyrifera) can grow up to 30 metres from the sea floor to the water's surface, forming underwater forests along Tasmania's exposed coastline. These forests provide important habitat for marine life but are increasingly threatened by rising sea temperatures associated with climate change.
Discovered by southwest Tasmanian pioneer Deny King, Lomatia tasmanica, or King's Holly, is a critically endangered plant found in just one location. With approximately 500 stems spread along a small rainforest gully, the species remains particularly vulnerable to bushfire.
Deborah's screen-printed linen designs bring these species to life through colours drawn from the natural world, including chartreuse greens, antique golds, seaweed pinks, lichen blues and burnt umbers.
"With our expeditions designed to inspire a greater appreciation for the natural world, we aim to educate and excite our guests about conserving the wild places that we love for future generations."
Pieter van der Woude, On Board founder
Honouring Aboriginal Heritage
Learning of Tasmania’s Aboriginal cultural heritage forms a special part of the experience. Guests have the opportunity to visit sites in the area that evidence a long and unceded indigenous occupation, including cave and ochre sites, and discover the story of the Needwonnee people of the southwest on an interpretive walk. The Stephens Bay Beach Walk, a signature experience, visits a significant Aboriginal cultural living site, estimated to be 7,000 years old.
Supporting local community
Expedition-vessel Odalisque III was constructed in Hobart using 98% local materials and suppliers including the Huon-pine tables of the dining room, the soft local-made mattresses and our purpose-built adventure boats for exploring. More than 30 local artists’, producers’ and makers’ works are displayed on the vessel, including organic skincare by Milie Organics and exquisite hand-made sea-green crockery made by local potters Small Fires Studio. Our onboard reference library is stacked with fiction and non-fiction works by local authors. The local flavour carries through to our crew, 100% of which are Tasmanian.
Travelling Mindfully
On Board’s skipper Pieter was interviewed by Tourism Tasmania for their Travelling Mindfully Series
The series tells the stories behind the tourism innovators helping make a positive difference to our unique island. Having a meaningful positive impact on the precious wilderness areas that On Board has the privilege to showcase is fundamental to our operation.
“We are in a very remote, precious landscape; one of the most precious and remote landscapes on the planet,” Pieter says.“And it’s a whole UNESCO heritage area; one of the largest in the world. We take delight in sharing the hidden world with our guests.”
We encourage you to watch and read the series, to learn more about travelling mindfully in Tasmania.
Threatened, Endemic & Invasive Species: A Citizen Science Project
To support the conservation of wildlife in Tasmania’s National Parks, Marine Reserves and Wilderness World Heritage Area, On Board has partnered with the Department of Natural Resources and Environment Tasmania (NRE) on a citizen science project
During our six-month Port Davey season, On Board surveys, records and reports sightings of target rare, threatened and migrating species, such as orange-bellied parrots, wading birds and water rats, as well as introduced species such as the Pacific oyster and long-spined sea urchin. In partnership with the NRE, we have identified specific sites relevant to each species. For example, when visiting the Old and Davey Rivers on tender excursions, guests and crew monitor for the azure kingfisher. Guests are also involved in setting and reviewing animal activity recorded on motion detection cameras. Any opportunistic sightings by guests and our crew are also recorded, along with information such as the GPS location and a description.
Findings are ultimately reported to the Tasmanian Government’s Natural Values Atlas (NVA), a publicly available, authoritative repository of Tasmania's natural values and provides valuable information to guide conservation actions.
In December 2023, crew and guests surveyed the foreshore near Schooner Cove, Port Davey to search for the feral Pacific Oyster. The group found and reported what was identified as the fourth Pacific Oyster ever to be located in the Port Davey Marine Reserve. As part of ongoing monitoring efforts, On Board will continue to survey identified hotspots.
On Board is dedicated to measuring, reducing and avoiding carbon emissions. We are a Sustainable Tourism Accredited Business, a certified member of the Tourism Emissions Reduction Commitment and have an Emissions Reduction Plan.
What an absolutely privilege it was to discover the South West Wilderness aboard this elegantly appointed expedition catamaran
A pristine Tasmanian destination that keeps on giving