Australian Wooden Boat Festival

View on map
MusicHobart
DatesDates TBA · Usually FebruaryCheck locally before booking
DurationSummerEstimate from available data
Crowd-Public scale varies
Best forLive music, late nightsThe Parade of Sail opens the festival by
LanguageLocal language; English access variesCurrency: AUD
CategoryMusicFestival type
The story

Australian Wooden Boat Festival in Hobart

The Australian Wooden Boat Festival is a biennial celebration of maritime heritage held every second February at Hobart's Sullivans Cove, drawing more than 400 wooden vessels including historic tall ships. Founded in 1994, the free four-day festival opens with the Parade of Sail up the River Derwent and closes with the Admiral's Sail and Regatta, alongside boatbuilding demonstrations, craft exhibitions and waterfront family activities.

Three Hobart boating enthusiasts, Cathy Hawkins, Ian Johnston and Andy Gamlin, founded the Australian Wooden Boat Festival in 1994, inspired by international maritime festivals and determined to give Tasmania's own wooden boat heritage a platform of its own.
Your trip starts here
What is special

The part that makes it specific.

01

The place changes

The Parade of Sail opens the festival by gathering the fleet at the John Garrow Light off Sandy Bay and sailing it up the River Derwent into Sullivans Cove, often led by a significant historic vessel, giving spectators a striking first glimpse of the festival's scale

02

The mystery stays covered

The closing Admiral's Sail and Regatta mirrors that spectacle in reverse, sending hundreds of boats back out of the docks in a grand review that echoes the heritage of the Royal Hobart Regatta

03

The city starts moving

Between the two, boatbuilding workshops and craft demonstrations let visitors watch traditional skills practised firsthand

Traditions & symbols

The language of the festival.

What moves first

Living ritual

The festival opens with the Parade of Sail up the River Derwent and closes with the Admiral's Sail and Regatta

Water and renewal

Living ritual

a pairing that has framed the event since its earliest editions and echoes Hobart's historic regatta traditions

Before you go

Essential information

When to go

Dates TBA · Usually February

Getting around

Use Hobart transport around the venue or route first; event-day controls can change normal timing.

What to wear

Comfortable, weather-appropriate clothing works best, with a light jacket for breezy harbourside conditions and sturdy shoes for walking Hobart's dockside precincts.

Safety

Keep phone power, water, and a clear meeting point sorted before the main crowd arrives.

Where to stay

Stay near workable transport in Hobart, especially if the event runs late or streets close.

Tickets/cost

Ticketing varies by venue and stage. Confirm official passes before booking travel.

Language/currency

AUD

Family friendly

unknown

Interactive map42.88 S, 147.33 EOpen in Google Maps

Hobart, Tasmania, Australia

Nearest airportHBA — Hobart
TransportUse Hobart transport around the venue or route first; event-day controls can change normal timing.
Stay areaStay near workable transport in Hobart, especially if the event runs late or streets close.

Your Trip Starts Here

External travel services to turn the plan into a trip — each opens in a new tab.

How to get thereRoutes, times and prices to Hobart via local transport.Search routesFind a place to stayStays near Hobart, close enough for the event-day route.Browse staysFind flightsCompare fares into the nearest practical airport for February.Compare faresFestival gearComfortable, weather-appropriate clothing works best, with a light jacket for breezy harbourside conditions and sturdy shoes for walking Hobart's dockside precincts.Shop the kitCheck visa requirementsSee whether you need a visa for Australia and apply online.Check entry rulesTravel insuranceCover for trip hiccups, gear and health on the road.Get covered

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FAQ

Quick answers.

When is Australian Wooden Boat Festival?

Australian Wooden Boat Festival is listed for February · Summer. Always re-check the official or local source close to travel.

Where does Australian Wooden Boat Festival take place?

The festival is listed in Hobart, Australia. The map coordinate is a planning reference, not a guarantee of a ticket gate or exact venue.

How long should I plan for?

Summer is the listed festival span. Add time for arrival, local transport, queues, and any route changes during the event.

Is a source linked?

Official source linked. Eventisimus separates source confidence from travel suggestions, so check final details before booking.

Where exactly is it?

Hobart, Tasmania, Australia

Is it family friendly?

unknown

Sources and editorial review

About this guide

This guide is independently written by Eventisimus using publicly available information, official event and organiser sources where available, local tourism references, and additional editorial research. Eventisimus is not the official organiser of this festival and is not affiliated with it unless explicitly stated.

Festival dates, schedules, ticket conditions, access rules, and local arrangements can change. We aim to present useful and accurate information, but travelers should confirm important details with the official event source before booking transport, accommodation, or tickets.

Found something inaccurate or outdated? Email hello@eventisimus.com with the festival page link and the correction.

Official URLaustralianwoodenboatfestival.com.au
Organizer accessAre you the organizer? Claim this listing →
SourceSource link available
Listed datesDates TBA · Usually February
Source statusOfficial source linked
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