INTREPID Dorset voyagers Lois Bickerton and Andrew Jones have arrived in western Australia at the end of a 4,700-mile race across the Southern Ocean.

It marked the final journey for former Thomas Hardy student Lois, who signed up to the first three legs of the Clipper round-the-world race.

Lois, 28, said: “It’s been a journey I will never forget.

“My crew have been just great and I will look forward to welcoming them all home in Hull next year.”

Her 68-foot boat Qingdao came fifth out of the 10-boat fleet in the race from Cape Town, South Africa to Geraldton after 24 days at sea.

Former Dorchester schoolboy Andrew and his crewmates finished seventh.

The 37-year-old quit his job as a managing director to take part in an epic adventure.

Eight of the Clipper boats have now arrived in western Australia with sailors including former Weymouth pub landlord Jan Ridd, skipper of the Canadian entry, Cape Breton Island, which finished in fourth place. Crew members were welcomed with a barbecue and cold beers provided by Geraldton Yacht Club as each boat arrived.

Lois’s sister Lara Bickerton, 26, flew out to welcome her in Australia and the pair now intend to work and travel.

Lara is working on Down Under in Adelaide for the BBC in the New Year and Lois will be working as a physiotherapist in Manley, Sydney. Their parents, John and Carole of Coombe Keynes, will fly out to meet them in February.

Andrew also received a warm welcome from his parents Chris and Michael who had made the trip over for a family Christmas before their son sets sail on January 3 on leg four to Qingdao, China.

Lois has also been charting her progress in a blog for the Dorset Echo.

Read her blogs at dorsetecho.co.uk/sport/afloat2012/afloatblogs/