The Shipwrights Village at the Australian Wooden Boat Festival 2025, Hobart, Tasmania, is the place to see wooden boat building thriving in modern times.

A large display and activity program presented by the Wooden Boat Centre, Franklin, gives festival-goers a chance to meet and talk to working shipwrights, volunteers and students from the finest traditional wooden boat school in Australia. You can see boats under restoration, new builds craft demonstrations, tool talks, and meet people who keep this heritage craftsmanship alive. Don’t miss it! Find us at map location SV, just beside Waterman’s Dock

The Little blue boat

Projects on display include the restoration of Sea Breeze, affectionately known as The Little Blue Boat as it was moored alongside the busy Brooker Highway at Montrose Bay. Wooden Boat Centre shipwrights and volunteers are busy restoring her to her former self. Click here for more information or to support the restoration.

Wooden Boat Centre vessels on display

Another vessel in the midst of restoration is Pixie, a 1930s Derwent class sailing vessel. With the effort of the students, volunteers, and guidance of skilled shipwrights, Pixie will eventually return to its former glory and sail the waterways of Tasmania.

At the opening of the Festival, we expect to have finished the restoration of Minerva, a 1950s Derwent class sailing vessel. She will be in the water after a year-long detailed restoration at The Wooden Boat Centre.

Also on display will be The Appleseed, a plywood Melonseed inspired sailing skiff, constructed by The Wooden Boat Centre students.

Win a Foster 10’

While you’re at the festival why not enter our raffle for a chance to win a traditional King Billy Pine Foster 10’ Clinker Dinghy. Made at The Wooden Boat Centre in Franklin the draw will be on Wednesday April 30, 2025. If you don't win, we invite you to visit the Wooden Boat Centre and build your own!

Shipwrights and Demonstrations

During the Festival, shipwrights, students, and volunteers will be on hand with full-sized boats under construction or renovation, offering craft demonstrations, toolbox talks, and more.

The team will be building a plywood canoe, there will be a half-model carving demonstration and various other activities.

Festival-goers can ask questions of expert shipwrights, explore the exciting courses offered at the Centre, chat with current and former students, and even get hands-on experience with traditional tools and Tasmanian timbers.

Click here for the full Wooden Boat Festival program.