Please select your home edition
Edition
Allen Dynamic 40 Leaderboard

Crowds flock to Australian Wooden Boat Festival

by Australian Wooden Boat Festival 8 Feb 16:23 AEDT 7-10 February 2025

The crowds heaved at Hobart's waterfront for day two of the 2025 Australian Wooden Boat Festival. The biennial four day festival, which runs Friday 7 to Monday February 2025, buzzed with excitement following Friday's opening events, the Parade of Sail and Festival Welcome, that celebrate this year's Pacific theme.

Saturday's festivalgoers were treated to an array of captivating demonstrations and on-water activities. The waka ama demonstrations drew significant attention, showcasing the skill and tradition of outrigger canoe paddling, offering a unique cultural experience on the water, while the free public rowing and parbuckling was popular with families.

Japanese and traditional woodworking demonstrations fascinated audiences with intricate designs and techniques, highlighting the craftsmanship that defines the festival. The busy Kumundar Japanese Jungle gym and sailing ship were packed with little sailors at Parliament Lawns, while the Pasifika weaving workshops brought a calm reprieve under the shade of nearby trees.

With a bustling atmosphere and a rich program of events, the Australian Wooden Boat Festival continues to celebrate the beauty and history of wooden boats. Enthusiasts, families, and maritime experts alike gathered to admire the stunning tall ships, meet skilled artisans, and immerse themselves in the vibrant festival spirit.

The AWBF, renowned as the largest wooden boat festival in the Southern hemisphere, will continue through to Monday, February 10, with more exciting events, talks, and hands-on activities celebrating the deep maritime heritage of Australia and its Pacific neighbours.

The full 2025 AWBF program and schedule is available online now at awbf2025.org.au.

Related Articles

Historic rivalry reignites at Wooden Boat Festival
A historic rematch between two legendary vessels The Australian Wooden Boat Festival (AWBF) hosted a historic rematch between two legendary vessels, Ngataki and Te Rapunga on Saturday 8 February 2025, as part of the festival's celebration of the Pacific theme. Posted on 14 Feb
The Undine Restoration Project
A testament to the resilience of maritime heritage After nearly seven decades since its construction in 1948, the iconic Derwent Class, Undine has undergone a full restoration, and it is nearly complete. Posted on 1 Feb 2024
Australian Wooden Boat Festival wraps up
There are simply so many people to thank A big thank you to each and everyone of you that came to the Hobart waterfront to celebrate Australian boat builders, designers and wooden boats of all shapes and sizes. This event would simply not be possible with the support of the people. Posted on 17 Feb 2023
Australian Wooden Boat Festival final day
Crowds convene across entire Hobart waterfront The Australian Wooden Boat Festival has come to a close, after a fabulous four days of celebrations. The sun was out for most of the weekend and the sea breezes were perfect for the sailing events out on the River Derwent. Posted on 13 Feb 2023
AWBF: Crowds convene across Hobart waterfront
Australian Wooden Boat Festival has gone off with a bang The Australian Wooden Boat Festival has gone off with a bang, with revelers enjoying the live entertainment in the Ironhouse Waterside Tavern, with crowd pleasing bands Baby Come Tack, Yacht Rock and The Royal Australian Navy Band Posted on 12 Feb 2023
Australian Wooden Boat Festival Day 2
Massive crowds ascend on Hobart's Waterfront The Australian Wooden Boat Festival is well under way, with thousands of people enjoying the sights on Hobart's Waterfront for day two of the four day event. Posted on 11 Feb 2023
Australian Wooden Boat Festival Parade of Sail
A record number of boats gracing the Derwent The Australian Wooden Boat Festival has commenced with the suspected largest number of boats ever, in the Parade of Sail 2023. Posted on 10 Feb 2023
Boat Folk - Trevassa
One of the most iconic Tasmanian Jock Muir boats still in existence! Built in 1971 by Jock Muir, the boat was built out of locally sourced Blue Gum and Huon Pine. At 48ft LOA she has competed in 5 Sydney to Hobart Yacht Races and spent much of her life in Sydney. Posted on 1 Dec 2022
AWBF Parade of Sail - Thank you
Now that we have returned our wooden boats to port, we've had a chance to breathe Now that we have returned our wooden boats to port, we've had a chance to breathe and gather our thoughts. What a wonderful day and what a crowd! Posted on 24 Feb 2021
Spectacular Parade of Sail on the River Derwent
Mild weather and favourable breezes provided perfect conditions Mild weather and favourable breezes provided the perfect conditions for the 2021 Parade of Sail on the River Derwent this morning. Posted on 8 Feb 2021
Sydney Boat Show 2025 - Apply to ExhibitSea Sure 2025Hyde Sails 2024 - One Design