Melbourne Boat Show 2024 a huge success, back again in 2025

After inclement weather on Thursday and Friday, the sky cleared on Saturday as visitors flocked in to check out the latest in boating as well as a multitude of presentations and family-friendly activities.

The Melbourne Boat Show 2024 had over a kilometre of waterfront displays, seven full marinas, 100 exhibitors, 10 activation areas, a ferry ride, tall ships and much more. There was also over $100 million of boats on display, across all types and styles.

The Boating Industry Association of Victoria (BIAV), which organises the show, claimed final visitation of 38,837 people – with the Victorian Minister for Recreation, Major Events, Environment and Tourism, Steve Dimopoulos, one of them.

On Saturday, the Minister announced the state government, via Better Boating Victoria, will double its financial support of the event from 2025 to $100K. The 2025 instalment will be held in mid to late-October, with final dates to be announced soon.

Another major announcement was that the inaugural Geelong Boat Show is slated for March 15-16, 2025, cast as a ‘mini’ Melbourne Boat Show. The Geelong event will be promoted by the BIAV with support from the City of Greater Geelong, Royal Geelong Yacht Club and Offshore Superboats, with exhibitor applications opening soon.

Meanwhile, the winner of the Best On-water Exhibit at the Melbourne Boat Show 2024 was 38 South Boat Sales, and the Best On-land Exhibit went to Melbourne Malibu/SeaDoo/Quintrex.

The most popular activations were the Honda Marine Main Stage edutainment presentations, the heritage and Wooden Boat Precinct, Cookie’s Supertank, Hooked Up’s Rig Rundown, and the Suzuki Marine Precinct.