The Australian Wooden Boat Festival (AWBF) is Tasmania’s largest free event and the largest celebration of wooden boats and maritime culture in the Southern Hemisphere.
Founded in 1994, the four-day festival is held biennially in Hobart, spanning the entire waterfront and feeding into the city beyond. Hobart's historic port bursts to life with a vibrant atmosphere, offering a curated blend of experiences. The festival features a stunning collection of wooden vessels, from historic tall ships and classic yachts to traditional fishing boats. Visitors can enjoy the grandeur of the opening Parade of Sail, and the closing Admiral’s Sail, along with on-water displays, boat cruises and tours, symposium talks, workshops, cooking demos, exhibitions, theatre, film, live music at the festival tavern, delicious Tasmanian food and drink, and a dedicated kids' maritime precinct with shaded areas and plenty of activities.
Despite being a not-for-profit, the AWBF is big. In 2025, the festival welcomed 400+ wooden boats, 100+ exhibitors and vendors, 250+ performers, speakers, authors and chefs, and saw 56,000 visitations across four days. This was all delivered by a small team of highly skilled staff and an amazingly talented and dedicated 350+ strong volunteer crew. Our incredible partners and donors also contribute to our success by providing generous financial and in-kind support. And, of course, we extend our heartfelt thanks to the boat owners and enthusiasts who make the AWBF possible. Thank you all!