# Royal Hobart Regatta

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. A stone tablet was laid in 1942 to commemorate the 300th anniversary of the Regatta.

## 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.
| Year | Regatta | Ship | Class | Type | Registration |
| 2024 | 186 | HMAS Diamantina (II) | Huon Class | Mine Hunter | M 86 |
| 2023 | 185 | HMAS Arunta (II) | ANZAC Frigate | Destroyer | FFH-151 |
| 2022 | 184 | HMAS Hobart | Hobart Class | Destroyer, Guided Missile | DDG-39 |
| 2021 | 183 | HMAS Hobart | Hobart Class | Destroyer, Guided Missile | DDG-39 |
| 2020 | 182 | HMAS Sirius | | Fleet Replenishment Vessel | O 266 |
| 2019 | 181 | HMAS Choules | Bay-Class | LCVP Landing Craft | L100 |
| 2018 | 180 | HMAS Hobart | Hobart Class | Destroyer, Guided Missile | DDG-39 |
| 2017 | 179 | HMAS Choules | Bay-Class | LCVP Landing Craft | L100 |
| 2016 | 178 | HMAS Stuart | ANZAC Frigate | Destroyer | FFH-153 |
| 2015 | 177 | HMAS Sydney | Adelaide Class | Destroyer, Guided Missile | FFG-03 |
| 2014 | 176 | HMAS Tobruk | Round Table Class | Landing Ship, Heavy | L50 |
| 2013 | 175 | HMAS Sydney | Adelaide Class | Destroyer, Guided Missile | FFG-03 |
| 2012 | 174 | HMAS Melville | Leeuwin Class | Survey Vessel | A 246 |
| 2011 | 173 | HMAS Parramatta | ANZAC Frigate | Destroyer, Guided Missile | FFH 154 |
| 2010 | 172 | HMS Lady Nelson | | Survey Vessel | |
| 2009 | 171 | HMAS Stuart | ANZAC Frigate | Destroyer | FFH-153 |
| 2008 | 170 | HMAS Parramatta | ANZAC Frigate | Destroyer | 154 |
| 2006 | 168 | HMAS Stuart | ANZAC Frigate | Destroyer | FFH-153 |
| 2005 | 167 | HMAS Melbourne | Adelaide Class | Guided Missile Frigate | FFG-05 |
| 2004 | 166 | HMAS Kanimbla | Kanimbla Class | Amphibous Landing Platform | L 51 |
| 2003 | 165 | HMAS Manoora | Kanimbla Class | Amphibous Landing Platform | L 52 |
| 2002 | 164 | HMAS Melbourne | Adelaide Class | Guided Missile Frigate | FFG-05 |
| 2001 | 163 | HMAS Brisbane | Perth Class | Guided Missile Destroyer | D41 |
| 2000 | 162 | HMAS Hobart | Perth Class | Guided Missile Destroyer | D39 |
| 1999 | 161 | HMAS Perth | Perth Class | Guided Missile Destroyer | D38 |
| 1998 | 160 | HMAS Torrens | River Class | Destroyer | DE-53 |
| 1997 | 159 | HMAS Torrens | River Class | Destroyer | DE-53 |
| 1996 | 158 | HMAS Torrens HMAS Swan | River ClassRiver Class | Destroyers | DE-53 DE-50 |
| 1995 | 157 | HMAS Torrens HMAS Hobart | River ClassPerth Class | Destroyer Destroyer, Guided Missile | DE-53 D39 |
| 1994 | 156 | HMAS Newcastle | ANZAC Frigate | Destroyer | FFG-06 |
| 1993 | 155 | HMAS Ardent | Attack Class | Patrol Boat | P87 |
| 1992 | 154 | HMAS Jervis Bay | | Cargo Ferry | GT-203 |
| 1991 | 153 | HMAS Jervis Bay | | Cargo Ferry | GT-203 |
| 1990 | 152 | HMAS Perth | Perth Class | Guided Missile Destroyer | D38 |
| 1989 | 151 | HMAS Jervis Bay | | Cargo Ferry | GT-203 |
| 1988 | 150 | HMAS Stalwart | | Maintenance Ship | D-215 |
| 1987 | 149 | HMAS Hobart | Perth Class | Guided Missile Destroyer | D39 |
| 1986 | | HMAS Hobart HMAS CanberraHMAS Darwin | Perth ClassAdelaide ClassAdelaide Class | Destroyer, Guided Missile Destroyer, Guided Missile Destroyer, Guided Missile | D39 FFG-04 FFG-02 |
| 1985 | 147 | HMAS Jervis Bay | | Cargo Ferry | GT-203 |
| 1984 | 146 | HMAS Hobart | Perth Class | Guided Missile Destroyer | D39 |
| 1983 | 145 | HMAS Jervis Bay | | Cargo Ferry | GT-203 |
| 1982 | 144 | HMAS Torrens | River Class | Destroyer | DE53 |
| 1981 | 143 | HMAS Swan | River Class | Destroyers | DE50 |
| 1980 | 142 | HMAS Stalwart | | Maintenance Ship | D215 |
| 1979 | 141 | HMAS Swan | River Class | Destroyer | DE-50 |
| 1978 | 140 | HMAS Stalwart | | Maintenance Ship | D215 |
| 1977 | 139 | HMAS Duchess | Daring Class | Destroyer | D154 |
| 1976 | 138 | HMAS Duchess | Daring Class | Destroyer | D154 |
| 1975 | 137 | HMAS Duchess | Daring Class | Destroyer | D154 |
| 1974 | 136 | HMAS Swan | River Class | Destroyer | DE-50 |
| 1973 | 135 | HMAS ANZAC | Battle Class | Destroyer | D59 |
| 1972 | 134 | HMAS ANZAC | Battle Class | Destroyer | D59 |
| 1971 | 133 | HMAS Sydney (III) | Majestic Class | Aircraft Carrier | R17 |
| 1970 | 132 | HMAS Stalwart | | Maintenance Ship | D215 |
| 1969 | 131 | HMAS Paramatta | River Class | Destroyer | DE46 |
| 1968 | 130 | HMAS Vendetta | Daring Class | Destroyer | D08 |
| 1967 | 129 - Cancelled | HMAS Derwent | River Class | Destroyer | DE49 |
| 1966 | 128 | HMAS Paramatta | River Class | Destroyer | DE46 |
| 1965 | 127 | HMAS Sydney (III) | Majestic Class | Aircraft Carrier | R17 |
| 1964 | 126 | HMAS Gascoyne | River Class | Destroyer | K354 |
| 1963 | 125 | HMAS Quickmatch | River Class | Destroyer | G92 |
| 1962 | 124 | HMAS Voyager | Daring Class | Destroyer | D04 |
| 1961 | 123 | HMAS Swan | River Class | Destroyer | DE-50 |
| 1960 | 122 | HMS St Brides Bay | Bay Class | Anti Aircraft Frigate | K600 |
| 1959 | 121 | HMS Cossack | C Class | Destroyer | R57 |
| 1958 | 120 | USS Blue | Allen M. Sumner Class | Destroyer | DD-774 |
| 1957 | 119 | HMAS Sydney (III) | Majestic Class | Aircraft Carrier | R17 |
| 1956 | 118 | HMAS Arunta | Tribal Class | Destroyer | I30 |
| 1955 | 117 | HMAS Arunta | Tribal Class | Destroyer | I30 |
| 1954 | 116 | HMAS Quadrant | Q Class | Destroyer | G67/D17 |
| 1953 | 115 | HMAS Sydney | Majestic Class | Aircraft Carrier | R17 |
| 1952 | 114 | HMAS Condamine | River Class | Destroyer | K698 |
| 1951 | 113 | HMAS Latrobe | Bathurst Class | Corvette | J234/M234 |
| 1950 | 112 | HMAS Bataan | Tribal Class | Destroyer | I91 |
| 1949 | 111 | HMAS Australia | County Class | Heavy Cruiser | D84 |
| 1948 | 110 | HMAS Australia | County Class | Heavy Cruiser | D84 |
| 1947 | 109 | HMAS Quickmatch | River Class | Destroyer | G92 |
| 1946 | 108 | HMS Bermuda | Fiji Class | Cruiser | 52 |
| 1945 | 107 | S.S Marosa | | | |
| 1944 | 106 | HMAS - HDML 1321 | Harbour Defence | Motor Launch | 1327 |
| 1943 | 105 | Sch. Abel Tasman | | | |
| 1942 | 104 | Sch. Kermandie | | | |
| 1941 | 103 | Sch. Alma Doepel | | | |
| 1940 | 102 | S.S Talune | | | |
| 1939 | 101 | HMAS Hobart | Leander Class | Light Cruiser | D63 |
| 1938 | 100 | HMAS Canberra (I) | Country Class | Heavy Cruiser | D33 |
| 1937 | 99 | HMAS Canberra (I) | Country Class | Heavy Cruiser | D33 |
| 1936 | 98 | Ketch Eva Leeta | | | |
| 1935 | 97 | Ketch Eva Leeta | | | |
| 1934 | 96 | Sch. Alma Doepel | | | |
| 1933 | 95 | H.M.A.S. Albatross | | | |
| 1932 | 94 | H.M.A.S. Australia | | | |
| 1931 | 93 | H.M.A.S. Canberra | | | |
| 1930 | 92 | H.M.A.S. Australia | | | |
| 1929 | | HMAS Australia | | | D84 |
| 1928 | 90 | H.M.A.S. Sydney | | | |
| 1927 | 89 | H.M.A.S. Sydney | | | |
| 1926 | 88 | H.I.J.M.S. Iwate | | | |
| 1925 | 87 | H.M.A.S. Platypus | | | |
| 1924 | 86 | H.M.A.S. Melbourne | | | |
| 1923 | 85 | H.M.A.S. Melbourne | | | |
| 1922 | 84 | H.M.A.S. Sydney | | | |
| 1921 | 83 | H.M.A.S. Sydney | | | |
| 1920 | 82 | H.M.A.S. Australia | | | |
| 1919 | 81 | Bq. Wild Wave | | | |
| 1918 | 80 | V.T.S. Dart | | | |
| 1917 | 79 | Ketch Alice | | | |
| 1916 | 78 | Ketch Alice | | | |
| 1915 | 77 | Ship Lotus | | | |
| 1914 | 76 | H.M.A.S. Warrego | | | |
| 1913 | 75 | H.M.S. Torch | | | |
| 1912 | 74 | H.M.S. Psyche | | | |
| 1911 | 73 | H.M.S. Pyranus | | | |
| 1910 | 72 | H.M.S. Pyranus | | | |
| 1909 | 71 | H.M.S. Powerful | | | |
| 1908 | 70 | S.S. Westralia | | | |
| 1907 | 69 | H.M.S. Cambrian | | | |
| 1906 | 68 | H.M.S. Powerful | | | |
| 1905 | 67 | H.M.S. Roy Arthur | | | |
| 1904 | 66 | H.M.S. Torch | | | |
| 1903 | 65 | H.M.S. Dart | | | |
| 1902 | 64 | H.M.S. Sparrow | | | |
| 1901 | 63 | R.V.Y.C. Crusader | | | |
| 1900 | 62 | Bq. Wild Wave | | | |
| 1899 | 61 | Bq. Fortuna | | | |
| 1898 | 60 | H.M.S. Penguin | | | |
| 1897 | 59 | H.M.S. Pylades | | | |
| 1896 | 58 | H.M.S. Orlando | | | |
| 1895 | 57 | Bq. Asia | | | |
| 1894 | 56 | H.M.S. Boomerang | | | |
| 1893 | 55 | Bq. Kassa | | | |
| 1892 | 54 | Bq. Asia | | | |
| 1891 | 53 | S.S. Talune | | | |
| 1890 | 52 | Bq. Rambler | | | |
| 1889 | 51 | H.M.S. Egeria | | | |
| 1888 | 50 | H.M.S. Egeria | | | |
| 1887 | 49 | Bq. Loongana | | | |
| 1886 | 48 | S.S. Mangana | | | |
| 1885 | 47 | S.S. Esk | | | |
| 1884 | 46 | H.M.S. Diamond | | | |
| 1883 | 45 | H.M.S. Miranda | | | |
| 1882 | 44 | H.M.S. Emerald | | | |
| 1881 | 43 | H.M.S. Wolverine | | | |
| 1880 | 42 | H.M.S. Wolverine | | | |
| 1879 | 41 | Bq. Freetrader | | | |
| 1877 | 40 | S.S. Truganini | | | |
| 1876 | 38 | Bq. Victoria | | | |
| 1876 | 39 | H.M.S. Sappho | | | |
| 1875 | 37 | Bq. Acacia | | | |
| 1874 | 36 | Bq. Waratah | | | |
| 1873 | 35 | Govt. Sch. Harriet | | | |
| 1872 | 34 | H.M.S. Clio | | | |
| 1871 | 33 | H.M.S. Blanche | | | |
| 1869 | 32 | Bq. Eucalyptus | | | |
| 1868 | 30 | Bq. Wild Wave | | | |
| 1868 | 31 | Ship Ethel | | | |
| 1866 | 29 | Bq. Ranger | | | |
| 1865 | 28 | Sch. Swordfish | | | |
| 1864 | 27 | Sch. Swordfish | | | |
| 1863 | 26 | Bq. Thomas Brown | | | |
| 1862 | 25 | Bq. Cantero | | | |
| 1861 | 23 | Brig. Dart | | | |
| 1861 | 24 | S.S. Tasmania | | | |
| 1860 | 22 | S.S. Tasmania | | | |
| 1859 | 21 | H.M.S. Iris | | | |
| 1857 | 20 | Sch. North Star | | | |
| 1856 | 18 | Bq. Antipodes | | | |
| 1856 | 19 | Bq. Fair Tasmanian | | | |
| 1855 | 17 | Brig. Australasian | | | |
| 1854 | 16 | Sch. Water Lily | | | |
| 1853 | 15 | Sch. Water Lily | | | |
| 1852 | 14 | Sch. Water Lily | | | |
| 1850 | 13 | Sch. Flying Fish | | | |
| 1849 | 12 | Vsl. Martha | | | |
| 1848 | 11 | Bq. Pacific | | | |
| 1847 | 10 | Bq. Pacific | | | |
| 1846 | 9 | Sch. Flying Fish | | | |
| 1845 | 8 | Sch. Letitia | | | |
| 1844 | 7 | Bq. Frances | | | |
| 1843 | 6 | Duke of Roxburgh | | | |
| 1842 | 5 | Bq. Brilliant | | | |
| 1841 | 4 | Govt. Sch. Eliza | | | |
| 1840 | 3 | Govt. Sch. Eliza | | | |
| 1839 | 2 | Govt. Sch. Eliza | | | |
| 1838 | 1 | Govt. Sch. Eliza | | | |