The Festival was founded in 1994 by boating enthusiasts Cathy Hawkins, Ian Johnston, and Andy Gamlin, and inspired by international maritime events. The inaugural festival, supported by the Tasmanian Government and local sponsors, featured 180 wooden boats, the HM Bark Endeavour replica, and a lively mix of food, music, and cultural displays. Its overwhelming success cemented Hobart as a hub for wooden boat enthusiasts.
Two years later, in 1996, despite challenging weather, the festival had grown, attracting nearly 200 vessels including a 25 foot steam-driven mahogany canoe from South Australia (Charlie), and a handful of Couta boats from Sorrento, Port Philip Bay. Over the next decade, it continued to expand, with standout moments including the return of the 1874 three-masted iron barque, James Craig (in 2005), the replica Dutch ship Duyfken, and for the first time in Australia, three magnificent traditional boats from Holland, and with these boats came Dutch heritage celebrations (2007), and record-breaking attendance of 150,000 in 2011. The event gained an international flavour, with entries from the Netherlands, New Zealand, Japan, Indonesia, and Papua New Guinea.
Between 2015 and 2019, the Festival introduced new features such as the International Wooden Boat Symposium and the revival of traditional maritime trade displays. The 2019 festival saw a significant North American presence, with U.S. shipwrights constructing a classic Haven 12.5 using Tasmanian timber.
The pandemic disrupted the Festival between 2020 and 2022, but in 2023, it returned with 11 tall ships and nearly 300 wooden vessels, successfully introducing ticketed events for the first time. With growing participation, evolving programs, and an enduring passion for maritime heritage, the Australian Wooden Boat Festival remains a world-class celebration of wooden boats and their timeless craftsmanship.
Today (Thu 6 Feb) the 2025 Australian Wooden Boat Festival launched with the spectacular Parade of Sails, where over 200 wooden boats, including 11 majestic tall ships, sailed up the Derwent River into Sullivans Cove. Thousands of spectators lined the waterfront to witness the breathtaking procession, which set the stage for a weekend celebrating maritime heritage.
The Festival Welcome featured renowned Tasmanian Indigenous boatbuilder Sheldon Thomas launching Truganini at Constitution Dock, symbolically inviting vessels and visitors to the festival. New Zealand guests then showcased traditional waka ama paddling alongside the Hobart Outrigger Club.
The ‘We Are the Ocean: Voyaging and the Pacific’ forum gathered Dame Anne Salmond, artist Michel Tuffery, and waka captain Hoturoa Barclay-Kerr in conversation with Professor Kate Fullagar, exploring the deep connections between Pacific explorers and the ocean. A special performance by the Māori cultural troupe Ngā Mātai Pūrua added a vibrant cultural element.
Throughout the weekend and beyond into Monday, a diverse lineup of events unfolds. Eleven magnificent tall ships will grace the River Derwent, sailing into Sullivans Cove to offer unforgettable cruises and boat tours.
There is much to do at this festival. The following touch the surface of all that is on offer. You can find out more here at https://awbf2025.org.au/program-flipbook/.
Saturday highlights include the Ngataki vs Te Rapunga rally, the Solar Boat Challenge, and symposiums such as Small and Capable with John Welsford on designing modern cruising dinghies. Sunday offers The Derwent World Championships, Knot Craft workshops, and The Daring Rescue, a fascinating tale of a schooner buried for 153 years. Monday concludes with the Admiral’s Sail, the ambitious Tally Ho boat restoration story, and hands-on workshops.
Beyond the water, the festival buzzes with food, entertainment, live performances, art exhibitions, and children’s activities, making it a must-visit event for maritime enthusiasts and families alike.
The 2025 Australian Wooden Boat Festival is shaping up to be a true celebration of maritime history and craftsmanship, with an incredible collection of boats ranging from humble workboats to grand tall ships. Walking along the docks, visitors will see a rich tapestry of vessels that span centuries, each with its own story of restoration, adventure, and seafaring tradition.
One of the strongest themes emerging from this year’s lineup is the revival of forgotten boats. Many of these vessels, once neglected or left to decay, have been lovingly restored to their former glory. Leshelen, for example, had fallen into disrepair before the skilled team at the Wooden Boat Centre in Franklin brought her back to life. Similarly, Old Digger, believed to be over 130 years old, has been carefully restored, allowing festival-goers to appreciate the craftsmanship of the late 19th century.
Age is another key thread running through the festival. Some boats date back to the late 1800s, such as the Britannia, originally built in 1898 for transport in the Bass Strait, and Mirage, a whale boat from 1860 that once navigated Tasmania’s rugged east coast. These vessels stand alongside working boats of the early 20th century, like Rebecca, a cod fishing boat from 1921, and Gordon, a west coast piners punt from around 1920. Seeing these century-old boats floating alongside newer restorations highlights the endurance of wooden boatbuilding traditions.
Then there are the boats that have played an important role in history. James Craig, a fully restored tall ship, was once a global trader in the 19th century, completing over 35 Trans-Tasman voyages. Husky 53 worked on the clean-up of the Tasman Bridge collapse in 1975, while Enterprize, though built in 1997, is a replica of an 1830s topsail schooner, offering a glimpse into early maritime life. Lady Nelson, a modern brig built in 1988, pays tribute to a vessel that transported thousands of settlers in the early 19th century. These boats are not just museum pieces; they represent key moments in maritime history.
The variety of boat types is also impressive. From elegant gaff cutters and ketches to sturdy tugs and pilot cutters, the festival has something for every wooden boat enthusiast. The Jubilee-class yacht Karina, designed in the 1930s in response to a devastating gale, reflects the need for more seaworthy small boats. Ngataki, a New Zealand gaff sloop, carries the spirit of adventure, having inspired bluewater cruising with its legendary voyages. The beautifully crafted Soliloque of Searle, originally built for the Penfolds wine family, shows the luxury side of wooden boatbuilding with its teak and mahogany fit-out.
Perhaps the most exciting aspect of the festival is the way it brings together boats from all walks of life. Some, like Mazie, arrived as a stripped-out hull and were given a second chance. Others, like Stormalong, were launched in true Tasmanian fashion—hauled into the water by a team of bullocks in 1948. And then there are community-driven restorations like Rebecca, which was brought back to life by Cygnet Wooden Boats with the help of local youth.
Whether they are elegant yachts, sturdy workboats, or mighty tall ships, these boats tell the story of seafarers past and present. The Australian Wooden Boat Festival isn’t just about admiring beautiful craftsmanship—it’s about celebrating the lives, skills, and passion that keep these remarkable vessels afloat.
