Blundstone Partners with AWBF; Shipwright’s Village & Noisy Boatyard

Blundstone boots have been around since 1870, making footwear for all walks of life, including boat builders. The relationship between AWBF and Blundstone dates back years, with projects like the Big Log Project gaining wide spread attention. Accordingly, it’s only natural to align the Tasmanian family owned company with the two exciting program activities below.

After the success of the Maritime Trail 2022 Workshops, AWBF organisers are excited to announce the Blundstone Noisy Boatyard. The latest addition to the AWBF2023 Program – a series of short nautical workshops, hosted by maritime craftspeople in the heart of the Festival, at the Shipwright’s Village. 

The Blundstone Shipwright’s Village, as it’s been named before, is one of the most popular attractions on the entire site. People just love watching a craftsman or woman using their hands to create unique objects, with passion and skill. 

Blundstone Noisy Boatyard

In the newest addition to the festival program, the Blundstone Noisy Boatyard will host a series of short workshops. Some of these workshops will be carried out before, during and after the actual AWBF event.

• Japanese Riverboat Build with Douglas Brooks (USA/Japan)
• Wooden Hand-board with Stuart Bywater (QLD)
• Wagata Bon Tray with Hiroshi Yamaguchi (ACT)
• And more….

Each workshop will use specialist hand tools, and showcase unique techniques. More information and tickets will be available soon!

Blundstone Shipwright’s Village

Evidently, the Blundstone Shipwright’s Village is back for 2023. With the help of the Wooden Boat Centre, the AWBF bring to you one of the most popular attractions throughout the site. Observe skilled shipwright’s practicing their skills and craftspeople from around Tasmania demonstrating forgotten trades. Interestingly, there will be steaming of timber for bending, manufacturing of crayfish pots, intricate rope work, blacksmiths and traditional caulking. Fascinating techniques and trades rarely seen on display elsewhere.

The Blundstone Big Log Project

The Blundstone Big Log project was one of the AWBF’s most successful program activities.

Organisers followed the journey of two carefully selected peppermint gums, felled and transported from the Coal River Valley in a recreation of what the Hobart docks would have looked like 200 years ago with a bullock team pulling the huge log through the centre of Hobart, stopping modern day traffic, to deliver the log to historic Hunter Street.

Then the crowds watched the craftsmen break it down using only hand tools and traditional skills to make useful ship-building timber. With axe and adze, saw and lathe, crowds had the pleasure of seeing how boats were built in early days in Van Dieman’s Land.