Registration

Please download the registration form by clicking on the button below.
Please return this form by mail, or scan and email, by FEB 28 if possible, or MARCH 30 using the contact details in the form.

Download Registration Form HERE

Schedule

Saturday - 11th April

1. 0800 Launching and Registration by 0900
2. 0930 Welcome Briefing
3. 1000 Cruise to Yarramundi Reach and morning tea
4. 1200 -1500 Lunch and Boat Display
5. 1230 Music Sea Shanty
6. 1330 Music Prism
7. 1800 Pre-dinner Drinks
8. 1900 Dinner D’Browes Restaurant.

Sunday - 12th April

1. 1000 - Noon Grand Parade to Kingston Harbour
2. Noon - Informal Lunch and Goobyes

Joining Information

The BoatFest will be held on the lawns of the Canberra Yacht Club, (CYC) Mariner Place, Yarralumla.

There are two boat ramps and a jetty in Lotus Bay, about 100 m from the club. There is sufficient parking for cars and trailers at the ramps. Small boats could be launched directly from the lawns of CYC, but parking there has limits. Due to works on the Scrivener Dam, the lake levels will be about 250 mm below the normal height, and may be slightly lower. This may affect launching of larger boats.

We will be on hand from 3 pm Friday afternoon to help you launch your boat. Mooring at the CYC overnight would be reasonably secure. We will arrange to tow steam boats from the launch ramps to berths at CYC. Friday dinner could be an informal gathering at Snapper & Co, beside the CYC.

Trailers could be parked overnight in the carpark at Canberra Southern Cross Club, which is above the Canberra Yacht Club.

For those not familiar with Lake Burley Griffin (LBG) , you can download a chart of the lake by clicking on the link.

When operating a power boat on the lake you should have all the usual safety equipment:

• life jackets
• bailing bucket
• paddle /oars
• torch
• whistle/ horn
• fire extinguisher and
• anchor with rope

As LBG is classed as ‘Alpine waters’ life jackets should be worn in any boat less than 4.8 m length.

To operate a power boat on the lake you should have a power boat permit, which is issued free by the National Capital Authority. The permit can be a temporary permit, or if you think you might visit again, apply for an annual permit which will be automatically renewed each year. Apply for a permit Category C3 for traditional boats.

The permit application can be found here.

You do not need a power boat driver’s licence for LBG. Any traditional power boat on LBG needs to remain below 10 knot speed.

What to do in Canberra?

Come a few days before, or after, the BoatFest. Tourism Australia has many suggestions of things to do in Canberra and surrounds.

COVID-19 and Influenza are still circulating in Canberra. Please do not attend the Boatfest if you have symptoms.

Dinner on Saturday night is at D’Browes Restaurant, 59 Boolimba Crescent, Narrabundah. BYO drinks. Places are limited, so if you intend to come, book early.

On Sunday morning access to CYC may be affected by the Canberra Times Marathon event. We will know closer to the BoatFest if the marathon route is along Alexandrina Drive as in previous years. If so, we will arrange for passes for all vehicles

Bring a folding chair so we can sit on the lawns or under shade near the boats to have lunch. Snapper & Co. operates onsite with outdoor tables adjacent to CYC. The menu includes seafood, pizza, burgers, salads, charcuterie boards and cheese platters.

Bring a warm jacket. April has the best weather of the year for a Boatfest, but Canberra weather is notoriously fickle, and the evenings can be cold.