Australia's round-the-world schoolgirl sailor Jessica Watson began her final stretch to Sydney Friday, where she is expected to be greeted by ecstatic crowds as she ends a remarkable seven-month voyage.

Watson, 16, was treated to her first familiar face in more than 200 days when manager Bruce Arms sailed his catamaran to meet her in waters outside Sydney early Friday.

Arms, the teenage sailor's mentor, brought his boat close enough to blow Watson a kiss. He was careful to keep his distance so she can preserve her claim as the youngest person to circumnavigate the globe solo and without help.

Watson said she was so excited about seeing Arms and sailing the last few miles (kilometres) into Sydney that she couldn't sleep.

“I can't believe how fast this last week has gone,” the teenager wrote on her blog on Thursday night.

“Have I mentioned how excited I am? It's like the day before Christmas except I don't ever remember getting this excited about Christmas."

She is expected to cross the finish line before noon Saturday and will take her first steps on land in almost seven months at the Sydney Opera House, three days before her 17th birthday and one month ahead of schedule.

Although the World Speed Sailing Council will not recognise Watson's record, as its minimum age is 18, the 210-day voyage will make her the youngest person to ever sail solo and non-stop around the world without help.

Prime Minister Kevin Rudd will join Watson's parents, three siblings and her best friend welcoming her back to the harbour city, and tens of thousands of people are expected to gather along the waterfront to cheer her on.

Millions more Australians were to watch the much-hyped event live on commercial television.