Eleven years on, Cheyenne has made that dream come true, recently completing an eleven-day journey from Brisbane to Newcastle as part of a youth development program delivered by the Royal Australian Navy.

Cheyenne said she now has friends and memories that will last a lifetime.

“It was such a great trip. I met so many incredible people. By day three the whole crew had become a family. We were so close and everyone helped each other. By day eleven, everyone was crying because it was the end”, she said.

During the voyage, Cheyenne learned how to navigate, keep watch, cook in the galley, take the helm and climb the mast to work aloft as well as sett and furl the sails.

“It’s hard to say what my favourite part was – climbing aloft at sunset with White Watch, seeing whales jump close to the ship and having dolphins come under the boat, or the food – we thought we were getting rations but the food was incredible – it was all amazing,” Cheyenne said

So did the voyage match the expectations of that six year old girl?

“It was even better than I expected!”

Young Endeavour is Australia’s national sail-training ship. During her twenty-nine years in service, 13,000 young Australians have joined the ship and participated in the youth development program delivered at sea by the Royal Australian Navy.

Twenty four young people from across Australia embarked the Royal Australian Navy's Sail Training Ship Young Endeavour for an 11 day adventure at sea. As part of the voyage from Brisbane to Newcastle, Voyage 13/17 embarked Leapfrog Disability Service and members of the Defence Reserves Support Council for a community sea day.

Young people aged between 16 and 23 can apply for a chance to participate in a voyage at www.youngendeavour.gov.au.