Professor Lowitja O'Donogue, Officially opens the
2007 South Australian Wooden Boat and Music Festival

2007 FESTIVAL HIGHLIGHTS …

Celebrating the 10th festival, three days of exciting festivities…
Maritime displays with a host of events on water and land.
An array of themed concerts focusing on maritime music, jazz,
folk, country & blues on three new music stages.

FESTIVAL HIGHLIGHTS INCLUDE …

PROFESSOR LOWITJA O'DONOGHUE – First I would like to acknowledge the Ngarrindjeri nation and pay my respects to their spiritual heritage. read more

PADDLESTEAMERS –  Races, Rides and Revelry. Welcome Aboard!
PS Marion cruise times available in festival program.

SAILBOAT & ROWING RACING – Restricted 21’s, Trailer Yachts, Dingies, spectacular close to the wharf racing.

CANOE & KAYAK BUILDING AND PADDLING – Exclusive to Goolwa
Special guests in March are Ted Moores and Joan Bennetts, writers of ‘Canoe Craft’ and ‘Kayak Craft’.  These books are largely responsible for the hundreds of strip plank canoes and kayaks around the world. At the 2007 Festival stripper canoes and kayaks from all over Australia will descend on Goolwa to honour these pioneers and to introduce still more to this very rewarding craft.

MUSIC – Three days of live music on three stages.  Eighteen concerts involving over 52 performances including several national musicians are appearing at the Festival.

NGARRINDJERI RAFT MAKING & TRADITIONAL WORKSHOPS – Traditional raft building, interactive workshops and cultural displays including Ngarrindjeri basket weaving, flower making and string making.

CONCOURS  – The best of the Fleet; Grand Parades; Blessing of the Fleet.

BOATS – Vintage Boats, Putt Putts, Cruises & Steamboats - wooden boats of all shapes and sizes, steam, sail, oar & paddle

ROUGH & READY BOAT BUILDING & SAILING COMPETITION – each couple are given sheets of ply, some timber & materials to build a boat that floats and navigate a course. A great spectacle!

HALVORSEN / HARTLEY RAFTUP – A demonstration of seamanship and the beauty of these boats.

FAIRY LIGHT PROCESSION – A spectacular fireworks display and many boats dress their rigging with fairy lights which light up on the river.  Don’t miss this magical event.

YOUTH PROGRAM –  A special youth program will include a Magician, Punch & Judy, an ensemble of young Scottish Fiddlers, School Music groups, Art & Craft & Boat building competitions, Face Painting & music performances, skills workshops and lots more entertainment for the kids!  

A FEAST OF FLEURIEU FOOD & WINE – Come and enjoy the fabulous regional food and wine of the Fleurieu at the Festival. Festival stalls showcasing an array of fresh local produce and new vintages!   Or perhaps enjoy an ale at the Steam Exchange Brewery on the wharf!

STEAM TRAIN RIDES – Steam Ranger 'Cockle' Train will be running between Goolwa, Middleton, Port Elliot and Victor Harbor over the three days of the festivalfrom the historic Wharf at Goolwa.
See the FESTIVAL PROGRAM for departure and arrival times and fares.

There were many more highlights of this spectacular event celebrating the 10th South Australian Wooden Boat & Music Festival. 

We invite you to come and enjoy this exciting maritime experience combined with the setting of historic Goolwa in 2009 .