The Australian Wooden Boat Festival has commenced with the suspected largest number of boats ever, in the Parade of Sail 2023.

With over 300 afloat vessels registered to attend the biennial event, the opening Parade of Sail took place on the River Derwent starting at the John Garrow Light, Sandy Bay from 12noon Friday 10 February.

Thousands of spectators lined the shores of the River Derwent and were delighted to see hundreds of wooden boats, follow 11 Tall Ships and the Goveror’s ML Egeria up to Sullivan’s Cove.

Festival Patron John Bertrand AO and AWBF General Manager Paul Stephanus were joined by The Premier of Tasmania, Jeremy Rockcliff at a private function in Sandy Bay. Paul Stephanus said “It was the largest Parade of Sail in many many years, what a delight for all of Hobart. We are so excited to welcome boats from all across the country to our little harbour. It is set to be a big four days ahead of us.”

The official Festival Opening and Welcome to Country will take place at 4:45pm today, in Constitution Dock with the launching of a traditional Indigenous Watercraft which has been built over the past six months.

The site spans from Hunter Street to Salamanca Place, opening Friday 10 February – Monday 13 February. The Festival is free to the public.

For more information please visit the AWBF website – www.awbf.org.au.

by Australian Wooden Boat Festival