The Royal Hobart Regatta is one of the oldest and most prestigious events in Tassie. The first regatta was held in 1883 to celebrate the founding of the isle, and since then it has drawn tens of thousands of visitors over the second weekend of February. The regatta will regale you with exciting competitions--in and out of the water--as well as aerial and aquatic exhibitions. For 3 days in a row, you’ll be soaking in the beauty and the beehive of activity in Queens Domain along the River Derwent.
Fun fact: In 2013, 308 crafts were launched from the Bellerive Beach for the 175th Royal Hobart Regatta. That event made the Guinness World Record for the “largest simultaneous launch of canoes/kayaks”.
You’ll immediately feel the palpable excitement in the air once you arrive. The Royal Hobart Regatta is proof of how proud Tassies are of our heritage. We celebrate the founding of our home with a bevy of aquatic competitions, aerial displays, performances, and sideshows--and we like sharing the fun with everyone.
Watersports is the word. The regatta hosts competitions in several categories: sailing, canoeing, rowing, and kayaking. If you want to turn the notch up a bit, don’t miss the powerboat event. Marvel at the tenacity of the contestants of the Trans Derwent Swim as they race 1.5 kilometres on the Derwent River from Montagu Bay on the eastern shore to the Regatta Jetties on the western shore.
Don’t forget to look up at the skies to watch various aircraft perform aerial acrobatics. You may even see genuine World War II planes spin up and down.
For a display of raw human energy, catch the Woodchopping & Sawing Contest.
In between competitions, set your inner child free and visit the sideshows for rides and carnival booths. Bands and dance troupes will provide constant entertainment for adults and children alike. Enjoy a concert featuring bands from the Navy and the Army. Don’t leave immediately when the music dies--there are spectacular fireworks afterwards!
Anytime you feel your tummy rumbling, simply head towards the main stage where the food stalls are. You’ll find out just how delicious local Tassie fare is.
The regatta was free when it started, and it remains so today. However, if you want to enter one of the competitions, you’ll have to pay an entry fee.
The Hobart airport is connected to major cities in Australia, so getting there is as easy as pie. Take the shuttle bus from the airport, which is a short 17-km ride to the city centre. If you prefer your own ride, you can rent a car instead. Wherever you stay in Hobart, there are buses that will take you to the festival grounds.
