The Australian Wooden Boat Festival has sailed away with the top honours at the Tasmanian Tourism Awards, with organisers calling the double win a testament to everyone who helps bring the event to life.
Festival director Paul Stephanus said taking out both gold in the major festivals and events category and the people’s choice award at Friday night’s ceremony was especially meaningful.
“Winning gold and the people’s choice award in the same year is an incredible honour,” he said.
“It’s a tribute to the people who make the festival what it is, our staff and board, volunteers, boat owners, partners and supporters and to everyone who voted for us.”
The recognition at the Wrest Point gala marks a high point for an event that has grown dramatically since its humble beginnings three decades ago.
Born from a shared love of wooden boats in 1994, the biennial festival has become the southern hemisphere’s leading celebration of maritime culture.
During that time it has become “both grand in spectacle and intimate in spirit”, Stephanus said.
More than 56,000 people attended this year’s four-day event, travelling from across Australia and around the world.
What began as a waterfront gathering has expanded to include exhibitions, films, theatre and family-friendly activities, alongside the much-loved flotilla of wooden boats.
Stephanus said the team’s focus now turns to representing the state at the 2026 Australian Tourism Awards.
The next festival is scheduled for February 5-8, 2027.
