Jetsettersblog

at the 2011 MyState Financial Australian Wooden Boat Festival

The popular biennial MyState Financial Australian Wooden Boat Festival is set to grace Tasmania’s shores in the New Year, returning to Hobart’s picturesque waterfront with its flotilla of tall ships and wooden boats from 11 – 14 February 2011.

The majestic Enterprize, James Craig, Lady Nelson, Windeward Bound, One and All and Young Endeavour will be part of the 620 wooden boats taking pride of place at the world-class festival, which will be free to the public.

2011 highlights include an appearance by Jessica Watson and internationally acclaimed small boat designer Iain Oughtred; a replica five hundred year old Hachoro fishing boat from Hobart’s sister city Yaizu in Japan; specially-commissioned traditional Indonesian boats with live craftsmanship demonstrations by the boat builders; and an exhibition of Scrimshaw (‘the whalers folk art’) which will be the largest ever mounted in Australia.

Historic Sullivan’s Cove will be transformed into a sea of flags, masts and beautiful wooden boats of all shapes and sizes for the event, which includes live musical performances and Tasmania’s signature fresh seafood.

The 2011 festival is also set to be bigger and better than ever, with an extended harbour reach, dominating Hobart’s waterfront from the historic Henry Jones Art Hotel to the Salamanca Waterfront.

“The Australian Wooden Boat Festival is a significant event that has contributed greatly to Tasmania’s Tourism,” Felicia Mariani, CEO of Tourism Tasmania said. “Over the years, it has drawn travellers from interstate and overseas to our shores with its extensive program of festival activities, and played an important role in preserving and promoting our rich maritime heritage to the world. We are delighted to announce that the 2011 festival will be twice the size of its predecessors, and that it will be free of charge drawing more boat enthusiasts to our capital,” she added.

The major features of the 2011 Australian Wooden Boat Festival include

* Free entry to all visitors
* An appearance by Jessica Watson and internationally acclaimed small boat designer Iain Oughtred
* Over 620 exquisitely crafted wooden boats including renowned tall ships the Enterprize, James Craig, One and All, Lady Nelson, Windeward Bound and Young Endeavour from Tasmania and beyond
* An extensive model boat collection
* Unique and traditional boats from Japan, Indonesia, New Zealand and New Caledonia
* Special villages displaying traditional boat building techniques, dancers, music, local food and culture
* Nautical skill and boat handling demonstrations

Established in 1994, the Australian Wooden Boat Festival was created to celebrate Tasmania’s rich maritime culture, developed by virtue of the island’s geographic location and its dependence on the sea for survival during the first one hundred and fifty years of European settlement.

At present, the festival is one of the top maritime events in the world, attracting Australian and international owners of wooden boats, serious collectors and boat enthusiasts to the historic Sullivan’s Cove docks to partake in the maritime festivities.

Travel to Tasmania

Travellers can fly to Tasmania on Jetstar, Virgin Blue, Qantas, Tiger Airways or Rex Airlines, or take the Spirit of Tasmania ferry from Port Melbourne (VIC) to Devonport (TAS).

Background Notes

Tourism Tasmania is a Tasmanian Government organisation whose role is to lead the industry in jointly delivering marketing and development programs that drive benefits for Tasmania from domestic and international tourism.

Part of the wider Department of Economic Development, Tourism and the Arts, Tourism Tasmania links government and the private sector in marketing Tasmania’s unique assets.

Tourism Tasmania’s new strategic direction has been shaped by the recognition of the changed world for tourism in Tasmania and the need for the organisation to continue to change to meet the challenges of this new world.