Aussie feast as teen sailor nears home

Jessica Watson. Photo / Supplied

SYDNEY - Teenage solo sailor Jessica Watson feasted on squid, prawns and Vegemite crackers to celebrate reaching Australian waters.

She documented the milestone on her website blog, describing it as a "one of those really special moments".

The 16-year-old Australian, who is aiming to be the youngest person to sail solo around the world, is on course to complete her journey seven weeks ahead of schedule.

She has fewer than 7500km remaining of her 43,000km attempt. but writes "we've still got a long way to go".

"Over the next week we will pass under the Great Australian Bight and head south to Tasmania," she says.

"It's weird being so close, but still having so many miles to cover."

Her celebratory lunch comprised squid which had washed up on the deck of her yacht, Ella's Pink Lady, and canned seafood, which made a "sort of variation to garlic prawns".

"Then I finished up with Vegemite on crackers to celebrate being back in Australian waters!" she wrote.

The Sunshine Coast teenager is hoping to return to dry land beside the Sydney Opera House in the first week of May.

- AAP