Jellicoe Harbour transformed into marina of wooden boats

Jellicoe Harbour is a village of classical boating for three days - photo (c) Larry Paul

Jellicoe Harbour in Auckland’s Viaduct has been transformed into a vibrant display of maritime heritage for this weekend’s Auckland Wooden Boat Festival.

Meola decked out in bunting - (c) Nicola Jeffery

More than 160 boats, from tiny model yachts to hand-made wooden dinghies, the famous A-class Ranger, and work boats, are berthed in and around the harbour for the Auckland Wooden Boat Festival.

The Auckland Wooden Boat Festival is free to attend and promises fun for all ages, centred on the traditional approaches to boats and boating. Visitors will love learning how to tie knots, discovering traditional boat building techniques, how to read the stars like early Pacific navigators, and watching sails stitched by hand.  A wide range of boating technology including working steam engines and the first outboard engines will all be on display.

A Kids Zone features storytelling, crafts, activities and even a quiet zone for some time out.

Visitors can pick up a Trail Map from the Viaduct Events Centre from 10am-6pm Friday – Sunday this week.

There’s more to enjoy around the waterfront precinct, including the Moana Auckland festival hub at Te Wero Island that will have more live entertainment, amazing street food and activities for young and young at heart.

The inaugural Auckland Wooden Boat Festival is part of Moana Auckland – New Zealand’s Ocean Festival. It is organised by members of the Tino Rawa Trust and the Classic Yacht Association with the support of Tātaki Auckland Unlimited, the New Zealand Maritime Museum and Eke Panuku to tell the story of Auckland’s maritime history from the early days of settlement through to today.

For more details about Moana Auckland, New Zealand’s Ocean Festival, click here