The Royal Hobart Regatta is a series of aquatic competitions and displays held annually in Hobart, Tasmania, Australia and is Tasmania's oldest sporting event. The regatta began in 1838.
The event runs for three days and incorporates a public holiday observed in Southern Tasmania on the second Monday in February.
It is regularly well attended by the public in addition to local and interstate competitors.
In its beginning the Regatta was well supported by the Royal Navy. In recent years the Royal Australian Navy, sends a warship to serve as flagship for the three day spectacle. The Royal Australian Air Force, also regularly performs aerobatic displays using military aircraft such as the RAAF Roulettes. The Australian Army's elite Red Beret parachute regiment has previously provided sky diving displays.
Royal Hobart Regatta Association Governance of the Royal Hobart Regatta is executed by an association of the same name, The Royal Hobart Regatta Association.
The Association is controlled by a board, executive and committee. The current president is Ross Doddridge.
History On 1 December 1838, the first Hobart Town Anniversary Regatta was held in Hobart to celebrate the anniversary of the 17th-century European discovery of Tasmania by Dutch explorer Abel Tasman, who made the first reported European sighting of the island on 24 November 1642.
It was decided that an annual anniversary regatta should be held and include the wearing of a sprig of silver wattle blossom tied with British navy blue ribbon, a tradition instituted by Governor of Tasmania, Sir John Franklin.
Franklin provided free food and beer for all of the spectators, and the tradition of free entry continues to this day. The Monday was declared a public holiday by the Governor and is now the oldest public holiday still continuing in Australia.
Since 1879 the regatta has been held in January or February, rather than December. The regatta of 6 February 1934 was the first to be called the Royal Hobart Regatta, the title being conferred by King George V.
Cancelled events 1853 1854 1967 - Cancelled due to "Black Tuesday" bushfire on 7 February The Regatta continued throughout World War I and World War II.
Significant milestones
5 December 1942 - commemorated the 300th anniversary of Abel Tasman's exploration 11 February 1955 - 80,000 people attend the Regatta in a single day, a number that represents 90% of the Hobart population 2013 - 175th Regatta 11 February 2023 - commemorated the 185th anniversary of the event
Royal visits The Royal Hobart Regatta has played host to ten royal visits, the most notable being a visit from Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip in 1963 when they arrived aboard HMY Britannia. In preparation for the occasion the main grandstand was extended and accommodated the royals, who stayed for lunch before departing for Sydney in the late afternoon.
Location Originally staged at Pavilion Point, the Regatta moved in 1856, to grounds near Macquarie Point known as the "Regatta Grounds" at the Queens Domain along the western side of the River Derwent. Records indicate the move was necessitated following a quarrel with Government House concerning broken beer bottles along Macquarie.
Access to the site is along McVilly Drive.
The grounds are shared with the Hobart Cenotaph, a war memorial to Tasmanian's fallen from global conflict. The primary Regatta structure on the site is the John Colville Memorial grandstand, which pays tribute to members of the aquatic fraternity that fell in World War I.
Events A plethora of events take place each year, and include: Jet ski and power boat races Dragon boat racing Tug of war Open water swimming Sailing Rowing Woodchopping
There is also an Ambassador quest, and the regatta always has an official attendance ceremony by the Governor.
Trans Derwent Swim Commencing adjacent Montagu Bay the Trans Derwent Swim sees competitors cross the Derwent River Estuary, a distance of 1.5km. In recent years a return trip has been added as an extra race.
Two Bridge Kayak Race This paddling event sees kayakers travel from the Tasman Bridge to the Bowen Bridge before returning to the finish line at the Royal Hobart Regatta grounds. A total distance of 15km is covered.
Wood chopping Woodchopping sees axemen from across the state compete in various events and age divisions chopping and sawing blocks and wood.
Flagships A flagship is a vessel used by the commanding officer of a group of naval ships and/ or the finest, largest, or most important one of a group of things. +YearRegattaShipClassTypeRegistration2026188HMAS Stalwart (III)Supply ClassA 3042025187STS Young EndavourSail Training Ship2024186HMAS Diamantina (II)Huon ClassMine HunterM 862023185HMAS Arunta (II)ANZAC FrigateDestroyerFFH-1512022184HMAS HobartHobart ClassDestroyer, Guided MissileDDG-392021183HMAS HobartHobart ClassDestroyer, Guided MissileDDG-392020182HMAS SiriusFleet Replenishment VesselO 2662019181HMAS ChoulesBay-ClassLCVP Landing CraftL1002018180HMAS HobartHobart ClassDestroyer, Guided MissileDDG-392017179HMAS ChoulesBay-ClassLCVP Landing CraftL1002016178HMAS StuartANZAC FrigateDestroyerFFH-1532015177HMAS SydneyAdelaide ClassDestroyer, Guided MissileFFG-032014176HMAS TobrukRound Table ClassLanding Ship, HeavyL502013175HMAS SydneyAdelaide ClassDestroyer, Guided MissileFFG-032012174HMAS MelvilleLeeuwin ClassSurvey VesselA 2462011173HMAS ParramattaANZAC FrigateDestroyer, Guided MissileFFH 1542010172HMS Lady NelsonSurvey Vessel2009171HMAS StuartANZAC FrigateDestroyerFFH-1532008170HMAS ParramattaANZAC FrigateDestroyer1542006168HMAS StuartANZAC FrigateDestroyerFFH-1532005167HMAS MelbourneAdelaide ClassGuided Missile FrigateFFG-052004166HMAS KanimblaKanimbla ClassAmphibous Landing PlatformL 512003165HMAS ManooraKanimbla ClassAmphibous Landing PlatformL 522002164HMAS MelbourneAdelaide ClassGuided Missile FrigateFFG-052001163HMAS BrisbanePerth ClassGuided Missile DestroyerD412000162HMAS HobartPerth ClassGuided Missile DestroyerD391999161HMAS Perth Perth ClassGuided Missile DestroyerD381998160HMAS TorrensRiver ClassDestroyerDE-531997159HMAS TorrensRiver ClassDestroyerDE-531996158HMAS Torrens HMAS SwanRiver ClassRiver ClassDestroyersDE-53 DE-501995157HMAS Torrens HMAS HobartRiver ClassPerth ClassDestroyer Destroyer, Guided MissileDE-53 D391994156HMAS NewcastleANZAC FrigateDestroyerFFG-061993155HMAS ArdentAttack ClassPatrol BoatP871992154HMAS Jervis BayCargo FerryGT-2031991153HMAS Jervis BayCargo FerryGT-2031990152HMAS Perth Perth ClassGuided Missile DestroyerD381989151HMAS Jervis BayCargo FerryGT-2031988150HMAS StalwartMaintenance ShipD-2151987149HMAS HobartPerth ClassGuided Missile DestroyerD391986HMAS Hobart HMAS CanberraHMAS DarwinPerth ClassAdelaide ClassAdelaide ClassDestroyer, Guided Missile Destroyer, Guided Missile
Destroyer, Guided MissileD39 FFG-04
FFG-021985147HMAS Jervis BayCargo FerryGT-2031984146HMAS HobartPerth ClassGuided Missile DestroyerD391983145HMAS Jervis BayCargo FerryGT-2031982144HMAS TorrensRiver ClassDestroyerDE531981143HMAS SwanRiver ClassDestroyersDE501980142HMAS StalwartMaintenance ShipD2151979141HMAS SwanRiver ClassDestroyerDE-501978140HMAS StalwartMaintenance ShipD2151977139HMAS DuchessDaring ClassDestroyerD1541976138HMAS DuchessDaring ClassDestroyerD1541975137HMAS DuchessDaring ClassDestroyerD1541974136HMAS SwanRiver ClassDestroyerDE-501973135HMAS ANZACBattle ClassDestroyerD591972134HMAS ANZACBattle ClassDestroyerD591971133HMAS Sydney (III)Majestic ClassAircraft CarrierR171970132HMAS StalwartMaintenance ShipD2151969131HMAS ParamattaRiver ClassDestroyerDE461968130HMAS VendettaDaring ClassDestroyerD081967129 - CancelledHMAS DerwentRiver ClassDestroyerDE491966128HMAS ParamattaRiver ClassDestroyerDE461965127HMAS Sydney (III)Majestic ClassAircraft CarrierR171964126HMAS GascoyneRiver ClassDestroyerK3541963125HMAS QuickmatchRiver ClassDestroyerG921962124HMAS VoyagerDaring ClassDestroyerD041961123HMAS SwanRiver ClassDestroyerDE-501960122HMS St Brides BayBay ClassAnti Aircraft FrigateK6001959121HMS CossackC ClassDestroyerR571958120USS BlueAllen M. Sumner Class DestroyerDD-7741957119HMAS Sydney (III)Majestic ClassAircraft CarrierR171956118HMAS AruntaTribal ClassDestroyerI301955117HMAS AruntaTribal ClassDestroyerI301954116HMAS QuadrantQ ClassDestroyerG67/D171953115HMAS SydneyMajestic ClassAircraft CarrierR171952114HMAS CondamineRiver ClassDestroyerK6981951113HMAS LatrobeBathurst ClassCorvetteJ234/M2341950112HMAS BataanTribal ClassDestroyerI911949111HMAS AustraliaCounty ClassHeavy CruiserD841948110HMAS AustraliaCounty ClassHeavy CruiserD841947109HMAS QuickmatchRiver ClassDestroyerG921946108HMS BermudaFiji ClassCruiser521945107S.S Marosa1944106HMAS - HDML 1321Harbour DefenceMotor Launch13271943105Sch. Abel Tasman1942104Sch. Kermandie1941103Sch. Alma Doepel1940102S.S Talune1939101HMAS HobartLeander ClassLight CruiserD631938100HMAS Canberra (I)Country ClassHeavy CruiserD33193799HMAS Canberra (I)Country ClassHeavy CruiserD33193698Ketch Eva Leeta193597Ketch Eva Leeta193496Sch. Alma Doepel193395H.M.A.S. Albatross193294H.M.A.S. Australia193193H.M.A.S. Canberra193092H.M.A.S. Australia1929HMAS AustraliaD84192890H.M.A.S. Sydney192789H.M.A.S. Sydney192688H.I.J.M.S. Iwate192587H.M.A.S. Platypus192486H.M.A.S. Melbourne192385H.M.A.S. Melbourne192284H.M.A.S. Sydney192183H.M.A.S. Sydney192082H.M.A.S. Australia191981Bq. Wild Wave191880V.T.S. Dart191779Ketch Alice191678Ketch Alice191577Ship Lotus191476H.M.A.S. Warrego191375H.M.S. Torch191274H.M.S. Psyche191173H.M.S. Pyranus191072H.M.S. Pyranus190971H.M.S. Powerful190870S.S. Westralia190769H.M.S. Cambrian190668H.M.S. Powerful190567H.M.S. Roy Arthur190466H.M.S. Torch190365H.M.S. Dart190264H.M.S. Sparrow190163R.V.Y.C. Crusader190062Bq. Wild Wave189961Bq. Fortuna189860H.M.S. Penguin189759H.M.S. Pylades189658H.M.S. Orlando189557Bq. Asia189456H.M.S. Boomerang189355Bq. Kassa189254Bq. Asia189153S.S. Talune189052Bq. Rambler188951H.M.S. Egeria188850H.M.S. Egeria188749Bq. Loongana188648S.S. Mangana188547S.S. Esk188446H.M.S. Diamond188345H.M.S. Miranda188244H.M.S. Emerald188143H.M.S. Wolverine188042H.M.S. Wolverine187941Bq. Freetrader187740S.S. Truganini187638Bq. Victoria187639H.M.S. Sappho187537Bq. Acacia187436Bq. Waratah187335Govt. Sch. Harriet187234H.M.S. Clio187133H.M.S. Blanche186932Bq. Eucalyptus186830Bq. Wild Wave186831Ship Ethel186629Bq. Ranger186528Sch. Swordfish186427Sch. Swordfish186326Bq. Thomas Brown186225Bq. Cantero186123Brig. Dart186124S.S. Tasmania186022S.S. Tasmania185921H.M.S. Iris185720Sch. North Star185618Bq. Antipodes185619Bq. Fair Tasmanian185517Brig. Australasian185416Sch. Water Lily185315Sch. Water Lily185214Sch. Water Lily185013Sch. Flying Fish184912Vsl. Martha184811Bq. Pacific184710Bq. Pacific18469Sch. Flying Fish18458Sch. Letitia18447Bq. Frances18436Duke of Roxburgh18425Bq. Brilliant18414Govt. Sch. Eliza18403Govt. Sch. Eliza18392Govt. Sch. Eliza18381Govt. Sch. Eliza
See also List of events in Tasmania
References
External links Royal Hobart Regatta website