What's On 2023 - Australian Wooden Boat Festival

Australian Wooden Boat Festival: 10th - 13th February 2023

The 2023 Australian Wooden Boat Festival is a FREE 4 DAY FESTIVAL held across the beautiful Hobart Waterfront. From boats afloat to boats ashore, talks, exhibitions, films, music, demonstrations and family friendly activities — there's something to float everyone's boat! And it's all FREE! But perhaps you're after a little extra to add to your free Festival experience? Click on the button below to explore the depths of maritime culture with AWBF & Partner ticketed events.

CLICK HERE FOR SITE SCHEDULE + PROGRAM

CLICK HERE FOR FESTIVAL SITE MAP

What's On 2023

Boats Afloat

Celebrate wonderful wooden vessels and their custodians across the entire waterfront area of Sullivan's Cove.

AFLOAT DIRECTORY

Tall Ships

The biggest drawcard for locals and visitors. In 2023, we will see 11 local and interstate Tall Ships berthed across Sullivan's Cove. Sailings will be offered, in addition to open boat tours.

Boats Ashore

We are expanding our fleet of boats ashore for 2023 by introducing the City Hall venue. Australian Dinghy Designs and beautiful Model Boats will be showcased across the Festival site.

Parade of Sail & On Water Activities

The famous Parade of Sail opening event kicks off at midday Friday with a showcase of 200+ wooden boats sailing across the River Derwent to enter the Festival site. You'll also be able to view the spectacular Derwent World Championships, the Ketch Review and more!

Australian National Maritime Museum Boat Builders of Australia Display

Celebrating current and bygone boat builders of Australia, this large and curated display represents each state and territory.

Blundstone Noisy Boatyard

The Noisy Boatyard comes alive with a series of half day, full day, and multi-day courses. Under the tutelage of a skilled Shipwright, lucky students have the opportunity to make and take home their own handcrafted maritime object.

Blundstone Shipwright's Village

The Shipwright's Village is one of the most popular programs on the site, and features the extraordinary people behind wonderful wooden boats. The 2023 Village boasts the Living Restorations projects, the Wooden Boat Centre precinct, steam bending and blacksmithing.

Australian National Maritime Museum Wooden Boat Symposium

A scintillating series of presentations, debates, panel discussions, story-telling and films that speak to the nautical world we love. Local and interstate guests will discuss everything from boating simulators to building wooden surfboards.

Maritime Marketplace

Everything you need for your boat and more. With over 60 stallholders, find your new wet-weather jacket, or bronze portholes, or even your new boat engine! The Maritime Marketplace is unofficially voted one of the best commercial displays in Australia.

Clennett's Mitre 10 Quick N Dirty Boat Building Challenge

See enthusiastic school groups build and decorate their own wooden vessel during the Festival, culminating in an exhilarating race at Constitution Dock. This is one of the most popular events during the Festival weekend — think flour and water bombs, and a super fun-filled dock!

Constitution Dock

Known historically as the home of wooden boats, the area hosts boats afloat, as well as traditional Festival activities such as Parbuckling, Dragon Boat activities and the popular Quick N Dirty Challenge. Come take the kids for a free row at Con Dock!

Food & Beverage

Head to our pop-up Waterside Tavern to wet your whistle and be entertained. Carefully curated stalls will bring you Tassie's freshest and finest local and organic produce — a foodies bounty not to be missed. Think rum, oysters and fresh fish.

Eat More Tassie Seafood Marquee

Learn to hunt, gather and cook at the TSIC Seafood Kitchen with live demonstrations and activities. A 4 day program of celebrity chefs and local fisherman will inspire seafood enthusiasts and tantalise the tastebuds.

Indigenous Watercraft of Tasmania

Come gather at Constitution Dock to watch the launch of a traditional Indigenous watercraft designed and built over the last six months by Sheldon Thomas, leading Tasmanian Indigenous canoe builder, and Tasmanian Indigenous youth.

The Old Woolstore Apartment Hotel Little Sailors Village

Watch Parliament House Lawns transform into a wonderland of wooden boat fun for kids, free entertainment, and plenty of grassy space to run around or just sit back and relax. Dress as a pirate and watch the My First Boat team complete their crafts.

Music, Theatre & Entertainment

Carried by the wind, sea shanties and nautical notes will be heard unfurling across the Festival precinct. The 2023 Program will be big, colourful and bright, with free live entertainment and ticketed events in some pretty special venues.

Exhibitions, Films & Other Events

AWBF 2023 brings you a thoughtfully curated selection of maritime-themed art and scrimshaw exhibitions, documentaries and films, fun and informative talks, practical demonstrations, book launches and readings, and Meet the Author sessions.

Special Events

Looking for a little something extra to broaden your Festival experience? Then look no further — it's time to throw off the bowlines and explore the depths of maritime culture with AWBF Special Events!

SELLING FAST!

Vintage Steam Village

The Hobart Vintage Machinery Society delight onlookers with steam engines, outboard engines and diesel engines.

View the iconic Cartela steam engine!

Vintage Diving Display

Tasmanian Vintage Diving Group, showcasing the historical art of vintage diving with all the gear. A fascinating process, to be demonstrated four times a day during the Festival at Watermans Dock. Not to be missed!