The Classic & Wooden Boat Festival '06

Loads of fun at a great harbourside fair!

Australian National Maritime Museum
Darling Harbour
Weekend 11-12 March 2006

The Classic & Wooden Boat Festival for 2006 at the Australian National Maritime Museum will have fun for everyone... more than 150 wonderful boats on display, a vibrant market place selling all things nautical, non-stop live entertainment and lots more.

More than 18,000 people are expected to attend the two-day Festival in the museum precinct on Sydney's Darling Harbour.

"The Classic & Wooden Boat Festival, held every two years, celebrates Australia's rich boating heritage and traditions," the museum Director, Mary-Louise Williams, said today. "This has become a great Sydney Harbour event, and the Festival in March will be bigger and better than ever."

Features will include:

More than 150 privately-owned boats including Australia's greatest show of classic speedboats, yachts of all ages, work boats of all shapes and sizes and a great range of pleasure cruisers - all with owners on hand to talk about them.

The famous Classic Ferry and Work Boat Challenge (1 pm Saturday), with 40 entrants racing to Fort Denison and back.

Cruises on the harbour - as passengers in the Classic Ferry and Work Boat Challenge and in other heritage vessels throughout the weekend.

A giant display of model boats in the Terrace Room... plus model yacht races.

Opportunities (for the brave) to scull a scow (an old-fashioned rectangular work boat) or paddle a coracle (an ancient circular vessel).

The hotly coveted Deckhand's Line-throwing Competition and Caulk-a-Seam Contest.

Traditional maritime craft demonstrations including rope-making, coopering, sail- making, timber steaming, ropework, blacksmithing and many more.

The Society of Marine Artists will be at work capturing the colour of the event.

Lots of kids activities PLUS food stalls PLUS loads of live entertainment

The National Maritime Museum at Darling Harbour is open daily 9.30 am to 5 pm. Festival admission $18 adults, $9 children, $40 families. Discounted two-day passes will be available. Information, (02) 9298 3777.