This October, a new festival will set sail in Port Adelaide and will give locals and visitors a chance to take in Port Adelaide’s rich maritime history and celebrate South Australia’s seafood industry.
The inaugural Port Adelaide BoatFest will have its maiden voyage on the 13th and 14th of October and incorporates the Wooden and Heritage Boat Festival, SA’s Seafood Celebration and the combined museums open day.
Taking over the Port Adelaide region with a hub around Hart’s Mill in Mundy Street, the festival will feature plenty of action both on and off the water.
Navigating the Port and parking will be smooth sailing with great transport options including a free shuttle service around town and for the first time, water-taxis will give visitors a fabulous tour and view of the region from river with both options ensuring ease of access to all the activities.
BoatFest features a huge range of crafts, from Viking and Dragon boats to magnificent wooden hulled speedboats and beautiful wooden yachts, fishing dinghies and cruisers.
On river activities include dragon boat races, come-and-try kayaks and canoes, fire and rescue displays, rowing and much more.
Landlubbers can enjoy a stroll through the markets, try their hand at numerous arts and craft activities and indulge in some amazing food.
An integral off water component of this inaugural festival will be the South Australian Seafood Celebration with sales and masterclasses from some of our best loved seafood providers.
There is also a chance to pre-order Xmas prawns and seafood dinners with a Friday night event launch celebration and ‘Fishes and Loaves’ dinner on Saturday night at the iconic Harts Mill in the heart of the Port.
Shared platter dining experiences, entertainment, Lake Breeze wines and Pirate Life brews will be on offer and Chef Paul Baker from the award-winning Botanic Garden Restaurant will introduce his menu comprising the freshest local seafood – from Tommy Ruff, Calamari, Crabs, Kinkawoonka Mussels, Goolwa Pipi’s, Bluefin tuna sashimi, Spencer Gulf Prawns and Hiramasa Kingfish and more.
To make a weekend of it, grab a room at the Quest Apartments overlooking the river at a special BoatFest rate.
Additionally, the three biggest museums in Port Adelaide, the South Australian Maritime Museum, National Railway Museum and South Australian Aviation Museum will hold their annual open days over the weekend with the free shuttle bus looping from the museums and Harts Mill to get you there.
Check out BoatFest on 13th and 14th of October.
Upside Adelaide 