Alma Doepel sails into Queenscliff

AFTER almost two decades of restoration, the tall ship Alma Doepel has set sail again, making her first voyage to Queenscliff Harbour for the Queenscliff Maritime Festival.

The $6.5 million restoration is expected to finish this year, allowing the ship to resume youth sail training voyages.

“Although the restoration is not finished, the ship’s got to a point where it can actually sail and use its engines,” captain Matt McDonald, chair of the Alma Doepel Trust, said.

McDonald, who first trained on the vessel at age 14, said the milestone has been a long time coming.

“It’s the first time the ship has voyaged under its own steam for 17 years,” he said.

Built in 1903 as a cargo ship in New South Wales, the Alma Doepel became known for her speed, carrying fruit from Hobart to Melbourne’s jam factories. She briefly served the Australian Army during the second world war, transporting supplies and troops in New Guinea, before returning to cargo work post-war.

In the 1970s, the Waypoint Foundation bought the ship and began converting her into a youth training vessel. Like today’s restoration, that project relied heavily on donations and volunteer effort. In 1988, the Alma Doepel began 11 years of youth sail training, giving more than 4000 young Victorians the chance to experience nine-day sea voyages.

Following a management change in 1999, the ship was moved to Port Macquarie as a display vessel. Significant worm damage was later discovered, sparking fears her days at sea were over.

In 2009, the Waypoint Foundation’s new board returned the Alma Doepel to Melbourne, launching a major restoration to return her to full operation. Thousands of volunteer hours have gone into the work – many of the same people also crewed her sail into Queenscliff.

“It’s been a full restoration… probably one of the most significant and extensive historical ship restorations in the world,”McDonald said.

“From the keel up she has been rebuilt… and she’ll survive another 120 years now.”

The ship remained in Queenscliff for the long weekend, inviting locals aboard to view the progress and learn about the Waypoint Foundation’s mission.

“It’s a world-significant ship,” McDonald said. “To see this craftsmanship and type of vessel is unique.”

Once complete, the Alma Doepel will resume five- and nine-day youth programs designed to support mental health and build leadership and teamwork skills. She has now returned to Melbourne to continue restoration works, scheduled for completion by the end of 2026.

“We’ve got around half a million dollars to go, and if we can raise that this year, the ship should be finished by year’s end,” McDonald said.