Largest gathering of tall ships

The largest gathering of tall ships in Australia in 2015 will occur at the MyState Australian Wooden Boat Festival in Hobart from February 6-9.

Organisers say that ten tall ships will be in Hobart for the four-day festival. Not only can you visit these ships as part of the festival you can get on board and sail on most of the ships. There are short trips (an hour or so) through to longer voyages taking several days. There are also some trips where the tall ships will sail together. There are voyages of varying times and prices to suit just about every enthusiast’s calendar and budget, we're told.

The Parade of Sail voyages embark at Woodbridge or Kettering (depending on the vessel) early in the morning of February 6. In local Aboriginal Tawe Nunnagah means 'going by canoe'. This traditional 'raid' will see the Yukon acting as mothership for up to 60 wooden vessels sailing between Recherche Bay to Hobart.

The ships will gather at the mouth of the Derwent, meeting other tall ships coming from interstate and joining wooden boats of every size and shape. This flotilla then sails up the Derwent into Hobart. These trips include lunch and refreshments and a bus can be booked to get from Hobart to Woodbridge/Kettering.

There are many and varied short trips during the festival including evening and firework sailings. We are told that you will have to book early as some ships are sold out for some voyages already.

For more information or to book go to the AWBF website here.