Unique ‘Behind-The Scenes’ Wooden Boat Opportunity

AWBF Maritime Trail 5 - Jay Lawry of Wilson’s Boat Yard, Abels Bay
Jay Lawry of Wilson’s Boat Yard, Abels Bay

The Australian Wooden Boat Festival team has developed another compact event to help alleviate the ‘withdrawal symptoms’ suffered by many of those who missed the Covid-cancelled biennial festival this year.

The Maritime Trail offers a unique opportunity for wood-working enthusiasts, wooden boat builders and restorers, or those who are simply curious to have a look behind the scenes at the many steps involved in wooden boat building and maintenance.

AWBF Maritime Trail 1 - Lefke van Gogh working on a wooden boat in Dave’s Shed
Lefke van Gogh working on a wooden boat in Dave’s Shed

From a boat’s initial design, through timber harvesting and milling to the finished intrinsic beauty of a lovingly crafted wooden boat, the Maritime Trail offers the opportunity to meet the passionate men and women who are the backbone of Tasmania’s world-renowned maritime sector.

The Maritime Trail is a series of guided tours of timber mills and boatyards and a showcase of classic wooden boats including some Tall Ship sailings. It also includes some special-interest events at Franklin’s Palais Theatre featuring talks by maritime sector leaders and nautical authors; sea shanty workshops and a forum discussing Tasmania’s world-renowned boat-building timbers.

The event will be held over the weekend of 10 -11 April 2021 with tickets available online through the Australian Wooden Boat Festival website at www.awbf.org.au from 10 March 2021.


Main photo: Lefke van Gogh and Matt Morris (and friend) in Dave’s Shed