Spectacular Parade of Sail on the River Derwent

Mild weather and favourable breezes provided the perfect conditions for the 2021 Parade of Sail on the River Derwent.

Over 120 boats of all sizes graced the harbour, sailing on a route to maximize viewing vantage points for the crowds of land-locked onlookers. 

This was the 20th anniversary of the inaugural Parade of Sail which was held to mark the start of the fourth Australian Wooden Boat Festival in 2001. Since then, this celebration of Tasmania’s rich maritime culture and community has been an integral part of the biennial Australian Wooden Boat Festival. 

Unfortunately, this year the festival could not proceed in its usual form because of Covid 19 restrictions.  However this did not deter the many hundreds of spectators who took advantage of an abundance of viewing points on both sides of the harbour to enjoy the parade.

At a formal gathering at Seagrass Long Point in Sandy Bay to mark the start of the Parade of Sail, the Premier, The Hon Peter Gutwein emphasised the importance of events such as the Australian Wooden Boat Festival and praised all Tasmanians for taking the pandemic seriously enabling many events to now return, albeit in a modified Covid-safe form.

The Australian Wooden Boat Festival General Manager, Mr Paul Stephanus, said that although the public were able to enjoy the spectacle of the Parade of Sail today, we are all looking forward to the time when we can again welcome interstate and international visitors to the prestigious Australian Wooden Boat Festival.

Main photo: Australian Wooden Boat Festival – Stuart Gibson

Other photos: Australian Wooden Boat Festival – Doug Thost