An Australian woman has completed a 40,000-kilometre voyage around the world in a replica 10th-century Viking longboat, proving that the ancient Norse could have made such journeys. The expedition, which took three years, faced hurricane-force winds, icebergs, and equipment failures.
Voyage details
The longboat, named Draken Harald Hårfagre, is a 35-metre vessel built using traditional Viking shipbuilding techniques. It departed from Norway in 2024 and sailed across the Atlantic, through the Panama Canal, across the Pacific, and around Australia before returning to Norway in June 2026. The crew of 12, including the Australian adventurer, lived on dried fish, hardtack, and foraged seaweed.
Challenges faced
According to the captain, the most dangerous moment came off Cape Horn, where 15-metre waves nearly capsized the boat. The crew also had to repair a broken mast using only hand tools. The Australian crew member said, 'It was terrifying but also exhilarating. We proved that the Vikings could have sailed the world.'
Historical significance
The voyage demonstrates that Viking longboats were capable of long-distance ocean travel, supporting theories that Norse explorers reached North America centuries before Columbus. The replica was built with authentic materials, including oak and iron rivets, and used a square sail and oars. The expedition also collected data on ocean currents and weather patterns.
