Australia, New Zealand, Tasmania, Bass Strait, the Tasman. Where modern expedition kayaking found its scale.
Australia and New Zealand have produced more expedition kayaking firsts than anywhere else. Paul Caffyn's solo circumnavigation of Australia in 1981-82 - 9,420 miles in 360 days - remains one of the great long-distance paddles of any era. Freya Hoffmeister beat his time in 2009 (8,565 miles in 332 days). New Zealand has had circumnavigations of both islands plus Stewart. Brewster & Bloomfield first did Tasmania in 1978. The Tasman Sea has claimed Andrew McAuley (2007) and been crossed by Castrission & James (2007-08).
New Zealand South Island - first solo circumnavigation
New Zealand North Island + Cook Strait + Stewart Island
Tasmania - first sea kayak circumnavigation
Australia - first solo kayak circumnavigation
Japan - first solo circumnavigation
Bass Strait - first non-stop direct crossing
Gulf of Carpentaria - 530km in 7 days
Japan - full circumnavigation of four main islands
Australia - second person ever to circumnavigate
New Zealand - second person ever, youngest, record time
New Caledonia - first kayak circumnavigation
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