Tickets
Donate
Photo credit: Alex Nicholson

For Grown-ups and Kids

HANDS-ON ACTIVITIES

Get hands-on with the Festival and discover the satisfaction of making, building and learning by doing. Try your hand at boatbuilding, Japanese joinery and kumiko, knot tying, ropework and other creative workshops led by skilled makers and practitioners.

Whether you’re keen to learn a new technique, make something to take home or simply have a go, there are activities for all ages and levels of experience, with a mix of free and ticketed sessions. Use the filters below to find something for grown-ups, kids, or both.

BROWSE ACTIVITIES

Dates
Times
Locations
Entry
  • Pay on the Day (1)
  • Free Entry (13)
  • Paid Ticket (12)
Hands-on Audience
  • For Kids (17)
  • For Grown-ups (15)
Paid Ticket
Take Part

One Sky, Many Voyages: Pacific Lino Printmaking

Acclaimed Aotearoa New Zealand artist Michel Tuffery, assisted by Cook Islands artist Katu Teiti, leads a three-day hands-on lino printmaking workshop exploring Pacific voyaging, design and maritime connections. Supported by Creative New Zealand. Directions: Enter via the main entry to the UTAS School of Creative Arts and follow the signs.
Thurs 4-Sat 6 8:30am-2:30pm
UTAS School of Creative Arts
Exhibitions, Workshops
MORE INFO + BOOK
Free Entry
Watch, Take Part

Traditional Rope Making

Step back in time with Graeme “Critter” Creighton and discover traditional rope-making using hemp, jute and hand-built wooden machinery, then lend a hand in these interactive demonstrations.
Muir Anchoring Systems
Shipwrights Village
Daily 10am-4pm
Morrison St Car Park
Demonstrations & Displays, Hands-On Activities
Paid Ticket
Take Part

Kumiko Workshop

Discover the intricate art of kumiko, assembling precisely cut timber pieces into a beautiful traditional Japanese geometric design to take home.
Noisy Boatyard
Fri-Mon Various Times
Morrison St Car Park
Hands-On Activities
MORE INFO + BOOK
Free Entry
Watch, Take Part

Knots & Ropework

See traditional knotwork and rope-making brought to life by the International Guild of Knot Tyers and local artisans.
Daily 10am-4pm
Hobart Town Hall Ballroom
Demonstrations & Displays, Hands-On Activities, Kids & Families
Free Entry
Watch, Take Part

Have a Go: Parbuckling

Dropped your barrel of rum overboard? Grab a couple of ropes and have a go at parbuckling, a time-honoured maritime skill.
Daily 10am-4pm
Constitution Dock
Hands-On Activities, Kids & Families, On the Water
Free Entry
Watch, Take Part

Australian–Chinese Maritime Display

The Chinese Community Association of Tasmania explores the role of Chinese communities in Australia’s maritime heritage, while sailor and author Graham Cox of the Junk Rig Association demonstrates a working model of a Chinese junk rig and shows how this traditional sail design has beenadapted for modern yachts.
Australian National Maritime Museum
Wooden Boat Symposium
Daily 10am-4pm
UTAS School of Creative Arts
Demonstrations & Displays, Hands-On Activities, Talks & Presentations
Paid Ticket
Take Part

Build & Sail a Pond Yacht

Usually, the grown-ups build the boats. This time, it’s the kids’ turn. Children aged 8–15 can build, decorate and take home their own wooden pond yacht with The Wooden Boat Centre Tasmania, then bring it back for Monday’s Pond Yacht Regatta at Constitution Dock. Tickets: $35 per child/yacht. One ticket includes one child, one pond yacht and one accompanying adult. All materials included.
Noisy Boatyard
Daily 10am-4pm
Morrison St Car Park
Hands-On Activities, Kids & Families
MORE INFO + BOOK
Free Entry

Toiles de Mer

Meaning “Sea Canvases”, Toiles de Mer is a tradition begun at Brest in 1992, with sailors creating decorated plaques that tell the stories of their vessels. Introduced to AWBF in 2025, the collection grows with each Festival. The Sunroom Gallery, UTAS School of Creative Arts
Fri-Mon 10am-5pm
UTAS School of Creative Arts
Exhibitions
Paid Ticket
Take Part

Japanese Joinery: Tsugite Workshops

Learn traditional Japanese joinery with carpenter Yuji Kanesada and designer Hiroshi Yamaguchi, using authentic saws, chisels and planes to explore tsugite techniques and their history. Tickets Opening Soon
Noisy Boatyard
Fri-Mon 10am-5pm
Morrison St Car Park
Hands-On Activities
Paid Ticket
Take Part

Kanna Woodshaving Flowers

Create a delicate wooden rose or anemone with artist Takako Kawamura, using fine shavings from a traditional Japanese kanna hand plane.
Noisy Boatyard
Fri-Mon Various Times
Morrison St Car Park
Hands-On Activities
MORE INFO + BOOK
Paid Ticket
Take Part

Nautical Knotwork: Thump Mat Workshop

Learn traditional marlinspike ropework with Mick Corker and make a thump mat to take home. Presented by the International Guild of Knot Tyers. Tickets: $125 per person (includes all materials).
Noisy Boatyard
Fri & Sun 10:30am–12:30pm
Morrison St Car Park
Hands-On Activities
MORE INFO + BOOK
Paid Ticket
Take Part

Life Drawing – Siren Song: Capturing the Mermaid

A playful maritime-inspired life drawing session with Nolan Art and artist Joshua Lamb, featuring experienced mermaid models, tails on and tops off. Enjoy a lively evening with a bar and prizes. All materials and nibbles provided, costumes encouraged and no serious drawing credentials required. The Founders Room, Salamanca Arts Centre
Fri 7pm-9pm
Salamanca Arts Centre
Exhibitions, Workshops
MORE INFO + BOOK
Pay on the Day
Take Part

Build a Small Wooden Boat

Sand and nail together a small wooden boat from Huon and King Billy pine with help from Woodcraft Guild Tasmania volunteers. Cost: $10 Pay on the day
The Old Woolstore
Little Sailors Village
Sat & Sun 10am-5pm, Mon 10am-4pm
Parliament House Gardens
Hands-On Activities, Kids & Families
Free Entry
Take Part

Have a Go: Rowing

Take to the water and try a range of traditional and community vessels, from classic dinghies to Indigenous watercraft. Presented by the Living Boat Trust. Note: For safety reasons, there will be no rowing during Dragon Boat demonstrations on Saturday 10:30am-11am & 12pm-12:30pm.
Sat & Sun 9am-5pm, Mon 9am-1:30pm
Constitution Dock
Hands-On Activities, Kids & Families, On the Water
Free Entry
Take Part

Face Painting

Add a splash of colour with free face painting for little sailors.
The Old Woolstore
Little Sailors Village
Sat 10am–4pm, Sun 11am-4pm & Mon 10am-2pm
Parliament House Gardens
Hands-On Activities, Kids & Families
Paid Ticket
Take Part

Kumundar Gujo Construction Workshop

Help build Kumundar, a 5m x 5m x 3m wooden jungle gym inspired by traditional Japanese carpentry. Kids can use wooden mallets and wedges to help assemble the structure, combining hands-on construction, play and traditional woodcraft. Tickets: $10 | Ages: 5–12 Supported by the Hobart-Yaizu Sister City Committee and Dobson Mitchell Allport.
The Old Woolstore
Little Sailors Village
Sat, Sun & Mon Various Times
Parliament House Gardens
Hands-On Activities, Kids & Families
MORE INFO + BOOK
Free Entry
Watch, Take Part

Solar Boat Challenge

The Solar Boat Challenge invites children to design, build and race their own solar-powered boats. With materials provided and a race pool ready to go, kids can create their models, test them on the water and see how they perform. Suitable for children aged 5-12 years.
The Old Woolstore
Little Sailors Village
Sat & Sun 10am-5pm, Mon 10am-4pm
Parliament House Gardens
Hands-On Activities, Kids & Families
Free Entry
Take Part

Huon Pine Bubble Blowing

Create clouds of bubbles using handcrafted, steam-bent Huon Pine frames and special bubble mix. A playful, hands-on activity for children and families of all ages.
The Old Woolstore
Little Sailors Village
Sat & Sun 10am-5pm, Mon 10am-4pm
Parliament House Gardens
Hands-On Activities, Kids & Families
Free Entry

The Book Barge

Take a quiet break at The Book Barge, a cosy reading nook where children can enjoy sea-themed stories away from the festival bustle. Families are also invited to donate new or pre-loved sea-themed children’s books. This initiative is kindly supported by Variety Tasmania - the Children's Charity, New Zealand Maritime Museum and the City of Hobart as a designated "UNESCO City of Literature".
The Old Woolstore
Little Sailors Village
Sat & Sun 10am-5pm, Mon 10am-4pm
Parliament House Gardens
Hands-On Activities, Kids & Families
Free Entry
Take Part

The Mariners Makerspace

Get creative at The Mariners Makerspace with ocean-inspired craft, boat building and interactive storytelling designed to spark curiosity and imagination.
The Old Woolstore
Little Sailors Village
Sat & Sun 10am-5pm, Mon 10am-4pm
Parliament House Gardens
Hands-On Activities, Kids & Families
Free Entry
Watch, Take Part

Pirate Peg

Join Pirate Peg for piratey fun, playful adventures and colourful twisty craft creations for young festival-goers.
The Old Woolstore
Little Sailors Village
Sat & Sun 10:30am-3:30pm, Mon 10am-2pm
Parliament House Gardens
Hands-On Activities, Kids & Families, Live Performance & Music
Paid Ticket
Take Part

Kumundar Teenage Puzzle Challenge

Take on the Kumundar Teenage Puzzle Challenge, a hands-on workshop inspired by traditional Japanese carpentry. Teenagers will put their problem-solving skills to the test using wooden components, mallets and wedges, exploring the ingenuity of traditional Japanese woodcraft. Tickets: $10 | Ages: 13–16 Supported by the Hobart-Yaizu Sister City Committee and Dobson Mitchell Allport.
The Old Woolstore
Little Sailors Village
Sat & Mon 1pm-2:30pm
Parliament House Gardens
Hands-On Activities, Kids & Families
MORE INFO + BOOK
Paid Ticket
Take Part

Nautical Knotwork: Lanyard Workshop

Learn the sailor’s art of traditional ropework with master rope artisan Mick Corker and create your own adjustable nautical lanyard to take home. Presented by the International Guild of Knot Tyers. Tickets: $125 per person (includes all materials).
Noisy Boatyard
Sat & Mon 1:30–3:30pm
Morrison St Car Park
Hands-On Activities
MORE INFO + BOOK
Free Entry
Take Part

Circus Workshop

Have a go at juggling, balance and circus skills in fun, hands-on workshops designed for young performers of all abilities.
The Old Woolstore
Little Sailors Village
Sat & Sun 3pm-5pm, Mon 12:30pm-3pm
Parliament House Gardens
Hands-On Activities, Kids & Families
Paid Ticket
Take Part

Singing on the High Seas

Join Wendy Grose for a fun sea shanty singing workshop, followed by a lively performance amongst the Tall Ships. All ages and abilities welcome.
Sun 10am–11:45am
Salamanca Arts Centre
Hands-On Activities, Live Performance & Music
MORE INFO + BOOK
Paid Ticket
Take Part

Mermaid Life Drawing

A relaxed afternoon of maritime-inspired life drawing with Nolan Art and artist Joshua Lamb, featuring experienced mermaid models, tails on and tops off. All materials and nibbles provided, costumes encouraged and no serious drawing credentials required. The Founders Room, Salamanca Arts Centre
Sun 2pm-4:30pm
Salamanca Arts Centre
Exhibitions, Workshops
MORE INFO + BOOK