Activists in far north Queensland have set sail for West Papua despite fears they may be arrested when they enter Indonesian waters.
The so-called Freedom Flotilla - three yachts with about 20 Australians and West Papuans aboard - left Cairns on Saturday and is expected to arrive in Merauke in a fortnight.
The group is making the journey to support the struggle for independence from Indonesia.
Spokeswoman Izzy Brown says they were granted permission to enter Indonesian waters but this has since been revoked.
"Hopefully we can negotiate a safe passage," she told AAP on Saturday.
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"We'll continue the mission and we'll confront any issues when we come to them."
Ms Brown says Indonesia feels threatened by the group, which is also protesting against alleged violence against West Papuans.
She says the risk of arrest worries them.
"We want to create an open dialogue with the Indonesian and Australian governments so we can ensure that this doesn't happen," she said.
Some of the group are travelling on Aboriginal and West Papua passports, which aren't official documents.
Amos Wainggai, who fled West Papua to seek asylum in Australia in 2006, is optimistic the group will make it to his homeland.
"I hope and I believe that we will be welcomed," he said.
A Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade spokesperson said the Australian government would not try to stop the flotilla "as long as it is legal".
"The legality or otherwise of any planned protest activity in Indonesia or its waters is a matter for Indonesia," they said in a statement.
In 2009 five Australians were detained for nine months by Indonesian authorities after flying to Merauke without visas.
