Huge crowds set sail for boat festival

THE Australian Wooden Boat Festival has made a big splash on its return from a four-year hiatus, with record crowds gathering on the Hobart waterfront to celebrate boats, boat builders and boat designers.

Organisers believe the festival (10-13 February) attracted more than 90,000 visitors, with many coming from interstate to attend. More than 30 per cent of the boats on display travelled from outside Tasmania.

The festival began with the traditional Parade of Sail, with more than 300 vessels registering for the event. Thousands of spectators lined the shores of the Derwent to see a huge flotilla of wooden boats follow 11 tall ships from Sandy Bay to the city.

Patrons were treated to an array of nautical activities and performances across the weekend, with highlights including the My First Boat

Project, the Clennett’s Mitre 10 Quick and Dirty Challenge, the new Spirit of Tasmania Classic Dinghy Display at City Hall, and the Australian National Maritime Museum Wooden Boat Symposium.

AWBF general manager Paul Stephanus said the festival had been a huge success.

“It has been a fantastic weekend of celebrations with our boating community from near and far,” he said.

“We were delighted with the turnout and look forward to seeing the final numbers. Regardless, we have had many people say it was the best festival ever, so we’re happy with that!

“It has been great to see families out learning about our rich maritime culture and heritage, and to see Hobart once again thriving.” The festival will return from 7–10 February 2025.