Wooden Boat welcome

Owners of wooden boats from across Australia and overseas are invited to help shape the 2027 Australian Wooden Boat Festival (AWBF), with expressions of interest now open for boats afloat, boats ashore and model boats.

Photography by AWBF

17 June 2026

The 2027 Australian Wooden Boat Festival is inviting Australian and international owners of wooden boats to get involved in the next edition.

Returning to Hobart’s waterfront from 5 to 8 February 2027, AWBF is the largest celebration of wooden boats and maritime culture in the Southern Hemisphere, welcoming around 400 wooden boats ranging from classic yachts, historic vessels and tall ships through to handcrafted models and boats in bottles.

The theme for the 2027 festival is “Working Boats”, shining a spotlight on the vessels that have played an important role in maritime life and industry.

An early morning aerial view showing one piece of the Australian Wooden Boat Festival puzzle along Hobart's waterfront. Credit: AWBF/Stu Gibson

Rallinga, a former cargo vessel that transported tin ore to Brisbane and Sydney, arrives at the Australian Wooden Boat Festival. Credit: AWBF/Ben Cunningham

Victory, a former tug used to tow barges loaded with explosives from Altona to ships anchored in Port Phillip Bay, motors at the Australian Wooden Boat Festival. Credit: AWBF/Heather Bird

From exploration to education, two vessels with working histories take part in the Parade of Sail at the Australian Wooden Boat Festival: the Endeavour Replica and South Australia's sail training ship, One and All. Credit: AWBF/Mark Chew Photography

Tall ships sail on the River Derwent during the Australian Wooden Boat Festival. Credit: Australian Wooden Boat Festival. Credit: Stu Gibson

AWBF Festival Director Paul Stephanus said the festival is keen to hear from owners of all types of wooden boats, whether they remain in active service or are now used for recreation, cruising or racing.

“Working boats carried people, cargo and livelihoods. They connected communities, supported industries and helped shape the places we know today,” he said.

“While Working Boats is our theme for 2027, we’re keen to hear from owners of all wooden boats. Many of the vessels we admire today have a working heritage, having begun life as fishing boats, ferries, pilot boats, work launches and trading vessels before finding a new life on the water.

Whether they’re still working, cruising, racing, retired from service or have never worked a day in their life, we’re looking for wooden boats with stories to tell and owners who want to share them with visitors.”

An independent panel of judges assesses expressions of interest to curate a diverse fleet of boats afloat and ashore, alongside model boats and boats in bottles, representing the many stories, traditions and forms of craftsmanship found throughout the wooden boating community.

Displays ashore range from vessels exhibited along Hobart’s waterfront to carefully curated displays in heritage venues, including the popular City Hall Classic Dinghy Display, where beautifully restored dinghies are showcased with sails raised beneath the historic hall’s grand interior.

Minuscule, a miniature tugboat showcasing a beautifully crafted steam-bent laminated Jarrah cap rail. Credit: AWBF/Ben Cunningham

Moby Dick, used by the British Navy on Sydney Harbour to help detect Japanese submarines during World War II, takes part in the Australian Wooden Boat Festival. Credit: AWBF/Mark Chew Photography

Intricately crafted model boats are displayed at the Australian Wooden Boat Festival, showcasing the skill, precision and maritime passion of model makers from around Australia and beyond. Credit: AWBF/Alex Nicholson

Originally built as the Harbour Master's Launch and later known as the Governor's Launch, ML Egeria carries the Governor of Tasmania, Her Excellency the Honourable Barbara Baker AC, during the Admiral's Sail at the Australian Wooden Boat Festival. Credit: AWBF/Alex Nicholson

Old Digger, a Tasmanian Huon pine couta boat, is displayed ashore at the Australian Wooden Boat Festival, showcasing the craftsmanship and heritage of Tasmania's working boat traditions. Credit: AWBF/Alex Nicholson

Kerrawyn, an ex-crayfishing boat, takes part in the Ketch Review during the 2025 Australian Wooden Boat Festival. Credit: AWBF/Ben Cunningham

August Lady, built circa 1930 for South Australia's Engineering and Water Supply Department and later used as both a police boat and ferry, is pictured at the Australian Wooden Boat Festival. Credit: AWBF/Howard Colvin

The Festival is the largest celebration of wooden boats and maritime culture in the Southern Hemisphere.

AWBF Boat Manager Megan Stredwick said bringing hundreds of vessels together for the festival is one of the most rewarding parts of the role.

“People see the finished picture, but behind the scenes it’s a bit like putting together a giant puzzle,” she said.

Following the Parade of Sail opening event, hundreds of boats are berthed across the waterfront in one afternoon. It’s a remarkable choreography of boats, people and teamwork, and visitors often come to watch the process unfold. It’s one of my favourite parts of the festival and not something you see every day.”

The Australian Wooden Boat Festival (AWBF) is the largest celebration of wooden boats and maritime culture in the Southern Hemisphere, held biennially on Hobart’s iconic waterfront. Since 1994, the festival has grown into a major cultural and tourism event, attracting vessels, maritime enthusiasts and visitors from around the world.

In 2025, AWBF received two Gold awards at the Tasmanian Tourism Awards for Major Festivals and Events and People’s Choice, and was awarded Bronze at the Australian Tourism Awards, ranking it among the top major festivals and events in Australia.

The Australian Wooden Boat Festival will return to Hobart from 5 to 8 February 2027.

Expressions of interest are now open and can be submitted via the AWBF website.

awbf.org.au