The Whitsundays QLD -
Attractions, accommodation and events in the Whitsundays

Whitsundays Race Weeks

The Greatest Offshore Racing Events in Australia Are At The Whitsundays!

The Whitsundays have frequently been referred to as the “Pleasure Boating Capital of Australia”. Undoubtedly the combination of year round tropical weather, crystal clear aquamarine waters, fantastic assortment of colourful coral reefs and pure white beaches, all play a part in the attraction. Each year a number of off-shore races bring thousands together to participate in or simply watch the racers bring their skills, love of racing and pride to the water.

Outrigger Canoe Racing

Outrigger Canoe Racing is thousands of years old, but relatively young in Australia. The two forms or canoe racing are marathons and sprints. There are six or one person canoes. Sprint races stretch between 500 metres to 3000 metres. Marathons are much longer ocean races between 5 kilometres to 30 kilometres. Age is not a barrier for most outrigger racing teams and neither is location.

Every year the Outrigger Cup brings competitors from all over the world. Although it centers mostly around Catseye Beach, the athletes compete in a variety of events of a number of days and it this incredible race culminates with the grueling Powerade Hamilton Island Cup. The Cup has grown into Australia’s largest and richest outrigger canoe race. It has also become one of the world’s most popular and prestigious outrigger regattas. With the largest purse in the sport up for grabs, this race brings leading competitors from all around the world.

Audi Hamilton Race Week

The Audi Hamilton Island Race Week is the largest offshore yachting regatta known to Australia. Attracting sailors from all around the world, each year tops the record set the year before in the number of competitors and yachts that arrive at Hamilton Island. A nine-day schedule of events offers activities for everyone on and off the water. This infamous race brings out hundreds of yachts from 30’ rented boats to billion dollar super yachts designed exclusively for racing! Various classes of racing ranging from cruising division to IRC divisions for yachting professionals are here to entice racers of every skill level.

Celebrating and parties are not contained to the water. This event has become “THE” social event of the year for yachters everywhere. There simply is no better place to be each year in August than at Hamilton Island in the Whitsundays. Make your bookings early to ensure you have your accommodations secured.

Meridien Marinas Airlie Beach Race Week

You can choose to arrive a little early and participate in the Meridien Marinas Airlie Beach Race Week. This event caters to every type of yacht from the Grand Prix racer to the non-spinnaker cruisers.

Organisers have put together a magnificent round of activities and events covering nearly a two week period of time, knowing that many of the boats arrive at Abel Point days ahead of the race. Music, food booths, market-stalls and parties of every sort will fill Airlie Beach once again in August.

As you can plainly see – Race Week – goes on for nearly two full months in Australia’s infamous Whitsunday Island Region. With many sailing, canoeing and yachting events available, check the calendar and determine which of them you simply must attend. See you there!