Organisers report more than 42,000 visitors at the 64th Melbourne Boat Show, their strongest figure since 2023, with Kiwi trailerboat brands in the line-up and a new regional show booked for Yarrawonga in March.
The 64th Melbourne Boat Show closed at Docklands on Sunday 18 October, and the Boating Industry Association of Victoria (BIAV), which runs the free-entry event, says more than 42,000 people came through over its four days.
That's a decent step up. BIAV reported a crowd of close to 39,000 for the 2025 show, and 38,837 in 2024, when BIAV noted wet weather on the Thursday and Friday. On the association's published figures, this year's show is the strongest since 2023, when it reported more than 43,000.
This year the weather cooperated. BIAV chief executive Steve Walker summed it up: "This has been a great boat show. The majority of exhibitors have been very positive, the crowds were excellent, and that weather!"
The show stretched across more than a kilometre of waterfront and marina displays along New Quay Promenade and Harbour Esplanade, with over 100 exhibitors. Ahead of the event, Australian boat insurer Club Marine noted in its show preview that organisers had reworked the 2026 layout to bring it closer to Melbourne's CBD and Marvel Stadium.
Kiwi boats in the mix
The show's 2026 brand directory listed six New Zealand boat brands. Stabicraft and Surtees were with Australian dealer MY Marine, White Pointer with Geelong Boating Centre, Extreme Boats with Inverloch Marine and Rayglass with JV Marine, while Makaira was listed under its own name.
"The response has been huge. One of the best shows we've ever had, to be honest," said Cam McDonald of Geelong Boating Centre. JV Marine's Mark Stav, a veteran of many shows, said: "For the whole week, it's been very good." Ed Richardson of Richardson Marine, who brought his display from Warrnambool, said there were "a lot of good customers" and confirmed the business would return next year.
BIAV's exhibitor awards went to Sundance Marine for best on-water exhibit, its second win in a row, Inverloch Marine for best large display, and first-time exhibitor Tydra for best small stand. Andrea Rothwell of The Wooden Boatshop was named Apprentice of the Year.
What comes next
The opening night included speeches from Victorian Fisheries Authority chief executive Travis Dowling and shadow minister for outdoor recreation Melina Bath. BIAV described the occasion as showing bipartisan support for the industry and its boat shows.
BIAV's next event is new. The Murray River Boat Show runs at Yarrawonga from 12 to 14 March 2027, on Lake Mulwala about three hours' drive north of Melbourne. It follows Geelong in 2025 and the Gippsland Lakes show at Paynesville earlier this year in BIAV's run of regional events. The association says exhibitor documents are out and early interest is very high.
The Melbourne show returns to Docklands in the third week of October 2027, its sixth year at the waterfront venue. For comparison closer to home, the 70th Hutchwilco New Zealand Boat Show drew a record 31,423 visitors to Auckland Showgrounds in May.
