Tyson, 16, has always had a keen interest in sailing, and was thrilled at the chance to board the iconic ship as part of the Young Endeavour Youth Scheme.

Young Endeavour undertakes around 20 voyages each year and each involves 24 young Australians who are selected by ballot – the youth crew – and nine specially trained Royal Australian Navy crew.

Tyson, a student at St Paul’s College at Walla, applied for the scheme’s ballot late last year and was lucky enough to get a spot to sail out of Newcastle, returning to Sydney 10 days later.

Having quickly found his “sea legs”, Tyson had a wonderful time.

He named climbing the rigging, daily sightings of whales and their calves and, of course, learning to sail a tall ship as the highlights.

Tyson was particularly happy not having to battle any seasickness because “the food was awesome”.