Darwin Boat & Leisure Show 2008

Boating’s different in the NT….. (just ask a Territorian)…

NT is home to a variety of unique boating experiences which attract attention and participation from international and national tourists, fishing enthusiasts and adventurers, and also from Territorians.  These experiences range from ‘barra’ fishing and charters, to offshore game fishing, croc spotting, water sports and sight-seeing cruises, to paddling the myriad of untouched inland waterways. This adds up to the top end gaining notoriety as a top boating location and boat ownership in Darwin and the NT continues to grow.

Darwin is the fastest growing capital city in Australia by size and population, with a burgeoning economy and an enviable outdoor lifestyle and tropical climate, and the new Darwin Waterfront development incorporating the Darwin Convention Centre, is lifting its image as a contemporary and cosmopolitan capital City with a unique ‘top end attitude’ originating from its tropical environment and bold past history, and presents a perfect waterside venue for the Boat Show.

In line with the growing demand for the Top End boating lifestyle the BIANT has made a groundbreaking decision to raise the profile and presentation of the Darwin boat show and to re-locate the event into the air-conditioned comfort and harbor-side surrounds of the new Darwin Convention Centre.

Darwin’s August enjoys a perfect climate hovering around 24 degrees every day with mild evenings and stunning sunsets, and enticing locals and tourists out day and night to enjoy their city, sights and events,

The ‘locals’ love their boating (their fishing) and their boat show, so the event attracts an attendance of around 10,000 and to make their visitor experience extra special, the 2008 Show will be jam packed with features and activities for all ages with centre stage located in a spacious auditorium offering almost unlimited seating and views for those enjoying the feature packed stage program, supported by a range of catering outlets each with its own focus and character to serve everyone from the littlest visitor to connoisseurs.

The Darwin boat show is an established event owned and managed by the BIANT, a not-for-profit organization and peak body representing the recreational boating industry in NT, and is the showcase for the marine industry in NT and host to an array of exciting features and exhibits with a big range of new release boats, motors and accessories, innovative campervans, ATV’s, and outdoor leisure gear.

About the Location

The Darwin Convention Centre is world class and located on the sheltered harbor waterfront central to the new developments for the Darwin city waterfront, and that presents a perfect waterside venue with an opportunity for the Darwin Boat Show to expand onto a substantial on-water display in future years. In 2008, we are raising the bar on its presentation!

The Centre accommodates around 4500sqm of internal display space offering air-conditioned comfort to visitors and around 2000sqm of outdoor exhibits will be cooled by sea breezes off the harbor, the two areas connected by the concourse which will house a variety of compact sites all with stunning harbor-side views, and offers exhibitors virtually unlimited resources for presentation and displays, and with the ability for boats of over 40ft to access the halls, there is much excitement about the scope of this Show.

All this indicates that the Darwin Boat & Leisure Show has come of age, and that it will create quite an impact on the national boat show circuit.

Once finished the new Darwin Waterfront complex will include a protected swimming beach, a monster wave pool, and a state-of-the-art marina backed by world class waterfront accommodation all within walking distance of the City, and central to this is the Darwin Convention Centre.

Darwin offers visitors many options for corporate functions from cocktail hours to offshore game fishing charters, or harbor cruises, and a range of activities for relaxation, action, exploring, or just plain fun. To find out more, or for bookings, please contact Despina via details below in ‘Accommodation’.

Visitors to the Darwin Boat Show are guaranteed a great time, stress free! It’s the last Show on the circuit so why not bring the family, maybe stay a while longer, and make a holiday of it!

Visit the Darwin Convention Centre website for more information.

View an Animated Fly Through & Interactive Map on the Waterfront website.