Hobart’s Australian Wooden Boat Festival is held every two years in February. We had planned to attend in 2017, but David and Rachel had other ideas with the birth of Little Pete in late February 2017. So we rearranged our route and made it for the 2019 Festival.
Wow, what a spectacle. Almost 500 boats moored in and around the docks and marina plus many more smaller craft, all beautifully constructed or restored, on land dotted around the waterfront. Tall ships, small ships, model ships, sailing dinghies, motor launches, speed boats, steam boats and row boats.
However, before enjoying the Festival, we had a little task to undertake which was to fly to Sydney for 2 weeks to look after little Pete whilst Dave and Rachel returned to work until Rachel’s mum returned from holidays. Our time is Sydney coincided with Australia Day which gave us the opportunity to sit harbour-side at Kirribilli with John, Mary and Michael and enjoy the harbour activities on a glorious day. Several of the ships on the harbour sailed to Hobart after Australia Day to participate in the Wooden Boat Festival. It was great spending 2 weeks with Pete, Dave and Rachel, and catching up with friends and family most evenings and weekends when David and Rachel gave me a leave pass from my babysitting duties.
We returned to Tasmania on 4 February, collected the van and headed to Triabunna on the east coast, staying 2 nights at a free camp behind the pub to spend a day on Maria Island, just off the coast. There are no vehicles on Maria Island so we took our push bikes enabling us to see more of the island in our available time. Next time we visit we’ll stay overnight on the island to better enjoy the landscape and wildlife.
From Triabunna it was back to Hobart and a campsite at the Lea Scout Centre 11km south of the city to meet up with friends Steve and Bronwen who are also touring Australia. We spent 5 days together, 3 of them at the Wooden Boat Festival and Hobart Regatta activities along with eating, drinking, laughing and having a great time together. They also joined us for a night out at a fantastic Italian restaurant in Battery Point; Da Angelo Ristorante, to celebrate our sixth wedding anniversary yesterday.
2 thoughts on “Wooden Boats Galore”
Hi Graham & Carol,
Great to hear from you, the photos are amazing as usual.
The wooden boat festival looks great.
Pete is certainly growing.
Things the same here. I’m waiting for volunteer work.
Damien & Jason are planning a road trip in the USA in September. From west coast to east coast.
They are coming on the weekend to organize it.
Safe travels, Vicki
Hi Graham & Carol,
Great to hear from you, the photos are amazing as usual.
The wooden boat festival looks great.
Pete is certainly growing.
Things the same here. I’m waiting for volunteer work.
Damien & Jason are planning a road trip in the USA in September. From west coast to east coast.
They are coming on the weekend to organize it.
Safe travels, Vicki
Great time had.
Loved our time together, Steve misses Yum Yum 😋 Till next time 💕 travel safe