If you are one of those who thought that wooden boat building was a dying art, then you need look no further for inspiration than Tasmania in Australia. Tasmania (Tassie) is the epicentre of Australian wooden boat building. As the home of what is considered the world's finest boat building timbers, Huon Pine, Tassie has a rich heritage of boat building which began in the early years of colonisation and survives to this day.
2023 Australian Wooden Boat Festival in Hobart. Image credit: John Curnow
According to the state government, the wooden boat building industry is worth $50 million per year into the Tasmanian economy, in addition to the economic and cultural benefits given impetus by events such as the biannual Australian Wooden Boat