Experience the Southern Hemisphere’s largest bi-annual celebration of wooden boats and maritime culture. Hobart’s historic port comes alive with 400+ wooden vessels, from tall ships and classic yachts to traditional fishing boats. Highlights include the Parade of Sail and Admiral’s Sail, plus on-water displays, talks, workshops, exhibitions, live music, and outstanding Tasmanian food and drink.
Activity Level 2
Early Booking Discount - Book by 07 May 2026 and save an extra $70 per person
Home pick up and return within the Auckland Metropolitan area (if applicable).
Services of a Travelwise Holidays Tour Leader throughout.
Return economy class airfares from Auckland to Hobart.
5 nights quality hotel accommodation in Hobart.
All locally guided sightseeing tours.
Daily breakfasts, 3 dinners including Cultura Italian Bar & Restaurant and Urban Greek Restaurant.
Hobart and surrounds tour plus Iron Pot Cruise.
All airport and hotel transfers throughout.
Travelwise Holidays documentation and travel bag.
THURS 04 FEB – AUCKLAND/HOBART
Depart Auckland on Air New Zealand at 9.05am, arriving in Hobart at 11.00am. Stay at the Crowne Plaza Hobart 4 nights. Included: D
FRI 05 FEB – HOBART, AUSTRALIAN WOODEN BOAT FESTIVAL
Enjoy breakfast at the hotel before spending the day at leisure at the Australian Wooden Boat Festival. The Parade of Sail officially opens the festival at midday, and the event is almost entirely free, with no fences and no entry fees for around 95% of activities. A small number of special events, workshops and cruises do require tickets, which may be purchased through the festival or external operators. An official welcome for all festival-goers will be held at Constitution Dock at 4.45pm. Dinner tonight is at our hotel. Included: B, D
SAT 06 FEB – HOBART, SALAMANCA MARKETS AND FESTIVAL
After a hearty breakfast, we venture to the famous Salamanca Market. Stretching the full length of Salamanca Place and boasting over 300 stalls, you’ll discover antique treasures, delicious local produce, jewellery, clothing, crafts and much more. The afternoon is free to soak up more of the Festival atmosphere. Dinner this evening is at leisure (freedom dining). Included: B
OPTIONAL EXCURSION – MONA
If art takes your fancy, join our optional excursion to MONA, the renowned Museum of Old and New Art. Travel by ferry on a scenic 25-minute journey along the River Derwent and explore MONA at your own pace. The museum showcases a collection of unusual, striking and, in some cases, challenging artworks. Return to Hobart by ferry (please enquire).
SUN 07 FEB – HOBART, FESTIVAL, AFTERNOON CRUISE
After breakfast, enjoy more free time this morning to explore the Festival at your own pace. This afternoon, we meet at the Pennicott Wilderness Journeys Booking Centre for a 2.00pm departure on the Iron Pot Cruise. This 2½ hour cruise explores the renowned waterways that shape Hobart’s lifestyle. Visit Australia’s oldest lighthouse, circumnavigate Betsey Island — home to abundant birdlife including gulls, cormorants and the majestic white-bellied sea eagle — and discover Hobart’s rich maritime history. Dinner this evening is at leisure (freedom dining). Included: B
MON 08 FEB - HOBART, FESTIVAL
Today marks the final day of the Festival. This is your chance to revisit an exhibition you loved, tick off a display you didn’t quite get to, or perhaps pick up some merchandise to remember the Festival by. The Admirals Sail will close the Festival this afternoon at 4.00pm — be sure not to miss it. This evening, we reunite and enjoy our Farewell Dinner together at Urban Greek Restaurant. Included: B, D
TUE 09 FEB - HOBART/AUCKLAND
Enjoy breakfast at our hotel and relax with some free time this morning. Depart Hobart on Air New Zealand at 12.20pm, arrive Auckland 5.50pm. Included: B
NB: The full Festival schedule will be available on the Australian Wooden Boat Festival website in January 2027.
Deposit: $500pp
