Boatfest 2027

Saturday 3 and Sunday 4 April 2027

Join us on Lake Burley Griffin for a weekend of traditional boating. Steam boats, gaff-riggers, varnished dinghies and classic launches will be out together on the water. Boatfest 2027 follows the same format as last year, which you can read about in our Boatfest 2026 wrap-up.

Boatfest 2026 on Lake Burley Griffin

Registration

The registration form for 2027 will be available here soon. Please check back, or contact us to register your interest.

Schedule

Times are based on last year’s program and will be confirmed closer to the date.

Saturday - 3rd 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 Jazz Ensemble
  7. 1800 Pre-dinner Drinks
  8. 1900 Dinner at D’Browes Restaurant

Sunday - 4th April

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

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 can be launched directly from the lawns of CYC, but parking there is limited.

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

Trailers can 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.

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
  • anchor with rope

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

To operate a power boat on the lake you need a power boat permit, which is issued free by the National Capital Authority. The permit can be temporary or, if you think you might visit again, an annual permit that is 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 stay below 10 knots.

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 - venue yet to be decided.

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 next 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.