Now in its 45th year and running from August 2 to 6, the Sydney International Boat Show is the largest recreational boating exhibition in Australia, taking place in the Sydney Convention and Exhibition Centre and the fabulous Cockle Bay Marina. Organised by the Boating Industry Association (BIA) of New South Wales, the Sydney International Boat Show has become one of the best attractions on the harbour city’s annual events calendar.

Sydney International Boat Show

Recreational boating is highly desired by both Australians and New Zealanders when choosing how to spend their leisure time. With boating also having so many variations and types, the boat show brings together the best of the best. With this in mind, visitors to the show can expect to see an excellent array from all the boating types from fishing, sailing, waterskiing or just simple family cruising.

Interestingly, the boat show has historically been the launching point for those new to boating. Boat shows bring together much passion and love for the lifestyle and as such, those new to boating can use the occasion to better understand boating options and the reality that recreational boating truly does have something for everyone.

With NSW Roads and Maritime Services as its primary safety partner, the show will attract in excess of 300 exhibitors and anywhere from 70 to 80,000 visitors.

Having an exhibition centre directly alongside the waterfront, together with the boat show’s vast marina; has confirmed Darling Harbour as one of the world’s prime locations for staging a major boat show.

While boats are the undoubted ‘stars’ of the show and they range from canoes, kayaks and dinghies through to magnificent ‘megayachts’, the show offers attractions to suit visitors from all walks of life.

According to Domenic Genua, Marketing and Event Manager for the BIA, show visitors have made it clear that education and entertainment figure high on their list of show attractions. “With that in mind, we have prepared many attractions and activities that will run throughout the event, with different features aimed at offering something of interest for everyone,” Mr Genua explained. “For example, all in the family, will appreciate the Fashion Extravaganza, with the latest in both boating wear and sportswear for all staged by Musto.

“From an educational level we really believe we have everyone covered, with live cooking demonstrations and the fabulous MyBoatingLife Entertainment Precinct hosting impressive array of boating and fishing experts on stage daily” he added.

Another popular feature returning to the show will be the Walk of Fame located on the marina, where show visitors can enjoy close-up inspections of many historic vessels, some of which are closely identified with the history of Sydney Harbour.

Keen anglers will take a keen interest in the Berkley-Evinrude Teams Fishing Series while others will gain both education and entertainment in the annual Boat Building Competition.

This Boat Building competition can produce both amazement and plenty of good oldfashioned ‘belly laughs’ as teams from various Australian and New Zealand boat builders attempt to build a boat using minimal tools and materials and compete in a race around Cockle Bay. It must be said that some of these “vessels” don’t fair too well!

Keen boaters will see many of the world’s most famous names on display at the show. The event has a reputation for attracting the key brands, both local and international. This year will be no exception with the line up guaranteed to surpass that of any other show in the region.

After inspecting this spectacular line-up of mouth-watering, nautical delights, there’s still plenty left to see at the Sydney International Boat Show.

As is usual, the Sydney International Boat Show will open daily at 10am, the halls within the Darling Harbour Exhibition Centre closing at 8pm while operations on the Cockle Bay Marina cease at 6pm.

As real estate agents often point out, nothing is more important than ‘location, location, location.’

Here, Darling Harbour excels; it is only a short downhill stroll from the centre of Sydney and is well served by all manner of public transport, including bus, light rail and ferry services as well as the city’s vast rail network.

Motorists will find the venue encircles by car parking stations, most of them only a few minutes walk from the main entrance.

Interstate and international visitors have a vast array of accommodation choices available, with many overlooking the complex.

Tickets can be purchased in advance on-line with a great 3-Day ticket deal available.

The Sydney International Boat show has a reputation for delivering an event ‘like no other’ and this year’s event is shaping up to do just that. If one only has the opportunity to visit only one boat show, it has to be the Sydney International Boat Show.

Show information:
Venue: Sydney Exhibition Centre and Cockle Bay Marina, Darling Harbour Sydney.
Dates: Thursday 2nd to Monday 6th August
Times: 10 am to 8 pm in the Halls, and 10 am to 6 pm on the marina.