Frequently Asked Questions - General
1Do I need a ticket to attend?
The Festival is entirely free! No fencing, no entry fee! 95% of the activities are free, with some Special Ticketed Events and Concerts. For all Ticketing Terms & Conditions please go to https://australianwoodenboatfestival.com.au/2023-ticketing-terms-conditions/
2Symposium - do I need to buy a ticket or make a booking?
No! It's entirely free, just turn up 10 minutes before your chosen session.
3Can I bring my dog to the Festival?
Yes - outside areas are fine, on lead and in effective control.
No - indoor venues (service dogs are permitted).
4I lost my jacket, where can I find it?
All property found on site after the event will be available for collection at our office in Salamanca. Please send us an email or call us after the event, if urgent, please call.
5What are we doing about COVID?
At the Australian Wooden Boat Festival (AWBF) we are committed to ensuring the well-being and safety of our visitors and staff.
Our festival is following the current Public Health regulations set by the Tasmanian Government. Please practice social distancing (where possible) and follow guidelines and instructions. Please use the sanitiser provided and follow any directions given by our staff and volunteers. Venues will be cleaned regularly between each sitting/event. Please see the Coronavirus Tasmania website for more information.
6Is there a smoking area on site?
No, the entire site is non-smoking.
7Is the site accessible?
The Festival is held predominantly outdoors along the Hobart Waterfront. Indoor venues such as the Dechaineux Theatre and Peacock Theatre are fully accessible. Some workshop, exhibition and special event venues may have uneven surfaces, stairs and /or varying access. For more information about venues please check the specific event page or contact the Box Office on boxoffice@awbf.org.au.
8Are there any welcome/opening events?
Official event opening: Friday 10th February at 4:45pm at Constitution Dock, after the Parade of Sail and boats berthing.
9Where can I stay during the AWBF?
Many hotels and accommodation providers are located within and around the Festival site, please check directly with providers or the Tasmanian Visitors Centre.
Anywhere within 30kms of site is suitable.
10What's in the program for 2023?
Check out the What's On 2023 page for the full program and schedules.
All program activities have their own webpage.
A site program will be available on site.
11Where can I find a Festival schedule?
Check out the What's On 2023 page for specific schedules.
A full site schedule will be available on site during the event, head to our Info Tent or look for a map box on site.
More information for each activity is available on our website.
12I don’t have a wooden boat but I’ll be in Hobart for the event with my boat, can I berth nearby?
The Sullivan’s Cove area is exclusively for AWBF boats only during the event, no other vessels can come or go.
We recommend calling our friends at Prince of Wales Bay Marina and Margate Marina to see if they have available berths.
Frequently Asked Questions - Parking & Transport
1Where can I park?
City of Hobart have several car parks in the area, please check their website for locations.
The Royal Hobart Regatta will also be opening up their carpark, managed by volunteers, for the duration of the Festival for $10 a day.
Opening Hours:
Friday 9am -4pm
Saturday 7am - 10pm
Sunday 8am - 9:30pm
Monday 8am - 4pm
2Is the site accessible?
The Festival is held predominantly outdoors along the Hobart Waterfront. Indoor venues such as the Dechaineux Theatre and Peacock Theatre are fully accessible. Some workshop, exhibition and special event venues may have uneven surfaces, stairs and /or varying access. For more information about venues please check the specific event page or contact the Box Office on boxoffice@awbf.org.au
3Do you have accessibility parking?
There is accessibility parking along Castray Esplanade, outside PW1. There is also a drop-off and pick-up point outside Brooke Street Pier.
Frequently Asked Questions - Environment
1What are we doing to keep the waterfront clean?
We've teamed up with the Tasmanian Scouts again, marking a decade long relationship to keep the Festival site clean.
The Scouts will regularly be scouting the site to help sort and dispose of rubbish. They'll clear tables and sort recycling to increase public awareness and promote a clean environment across Hobart's beautiful waterfront.
Frequently Asked Questions - Ticketing
1Do I need a ticket to attend?
The Festival is entirely free! No fencing, no entry fee! 95% of the activities are free, with some Special Ticketed Events and Concerts. For all Ticketing Terms & Conditions please go to https://australianwoodenboatfestival.com.au/2023-ticketing-terms-conditions/
2What about the special events?
Blundstone Noisy Boatyard Workshops - yes, please check the webpage for more information on each. It is free to observe the workshops taking place though!
For all Ticketing Terms & Conditions please go to https://australianwoodenboatfestival.com.au/2023-ticketing-terms-conditions/
Australian National Maritime Museum Boat Builders of Australia Guided Tours - yes, please check the webpage for more information on each.
Special Events, eg. Sparkling Breakfast or the Rum & Sea Shanty Workshop? Yes - please check the webpage for more information on each.
3I want to go sailing on a Tall Ship, do I need a ticket?
Yes - please go to the Tall Ships webpage for more information on each. Tickets for these are directly through each ship.
Frequently Asked Questions - Boat Owners
1Where will I be berthed?
AFLOAT: you have been sent your docking plan & boat owner manual via email, mid December.
ASHORE: you have been sent your location (Around site, PW1 or City Hall) and full boat owners' manual in December, via email.
2Can I bring my dog to the Festival?
Yes - please maintain effective control whilst onboard and around site. We do not supply dog poo bags, and AWBF are not responsible for your dog.
If you are coming from interstate you will have to comply with quarantine regulations.
Dogs cannot enter venues or the Tavern.
3I have to withdraw my boat registration, is that ok?
Absolutely, if you have to withdraw for whatever reason please let us know as soon as possible, as we will give your berth to the next in line.
4What are we doing about COVID?
Our festival is following the current Public Health regulations set by the Tasmanian Government. Please practice social distancing (where possible) and follow guidelines and instructions. Please use the sanitiser provided and follow any directions given by our staff and volunteers. Venues will be cleaned regularly between each sitting/event. Please see the Coronavirus Tasmania website for more information.
5Is there a smoking area on site?
No, the entire site is non-smoking.
6Where can I park?
City of Hobart have several car parks in the area, please check their website for locations. The Royal Hobart Regatta will also be opening up their carpark, managed by volunteers, for the duration of the Festival for a small fee.
7Is the site accessible?
The Festival is held predominantly outdoors along the Hobart Waterfront. Indoor venues such as the Dechaineux Theatre and Peacock Theatre are fully accessible. Some workshop, exhibition and special event venues may have uneven surfaces, stairs and /or varying access. For more information about venues please check the specific event page or contact the Box Office on boxoffice@awbf.org.au
8Are there any welcome/opening events?
Official event opening: Friday 10th February at 5pm at Constitution Dock, after the Parade of Sail and boats berthing.
Frequently Asked Questions - BOATS
1I'm looking for a particular boat, how do I find it?
Use the search bottom at the bottom of this page to search for the boat or owner name. All boats attending have been uploaded to the online directory.
Use the site map to find the pier/berth location.
2I want to go sailing on a Tall Ship, how do I book?
Go to our Tall Ships webpage, and each ship has a booking link.
3Are Tall Ships accessible?
Unfortunately, most are not - due to being traditional replicas or original builds. Although the docks are entirely accessible to observe tall ships from.
4Can I tour a boat?
Tall Ships will have open boat signs when in port, and we encourage our private boat owners to use their open boat sign when they are available to show you onboard.
Frequently Asked Questions - PHOTOGRAPHY & MEDIA
1Can I use my drone at the AWBF?
No - the entire site is a no drone zone. There are several activities going on at anyone time, and there is a strict protocol around drone usage.
The AWBF has a qualified drone operator engaged for the entire Festival. If you would like access to any of that footage, please send an email to our team at office@awbf.org.au.
2Can I take photos around site?
Absolutely. Please do send any images through to office@awbf.org.au
Remember to ask for permission to take images of people.
3I'd like to talk to an AWBF rep for media purposes, who do I contact?
Please reach out to our media manager via email at bella@awbf.org.au