The 63rd Melbourne Boat Show has been hailed a resounding success following its conclusion on Sunday at Docklands. Organisers, exhibitors, and visitors were unanimous in their praise of the event, which attracted close to 39,000 boaters and potential boaters, all celebrating boats and the boating lifestyle.
Spanning more than 1.2 kilometres of waterfront and marina displays, the show featured over 100 exhibitors, numerous entertainment activations, and an abundance of great food, coffee, and waterfront vibes. The weather over the four days was also highly favourable, helping the Melbourne waterfront come alive with a fantastic atmosphere and strong attendance.
Steve Walker BIAV CEO
Organisers, the Boating Industry Association of Victoria (BIAV), expressed their delight at the event’s success. CEO Steve Walker stated, “Our event team, led by Katrina Muir and Mark Turnbull, did a brilliant job to set the scene. Exhibitors then put on an amazing display over the full four days. We were really pleased and proud.” He added, “Visitors stepped up also. Arriving in large numbers, especially over the weekend, and they did seem to have a lot of positive energy.”
Exhibitors echoed these sentiments, reporting strong sales, engagement, and enthusiasm. Industry and boat show veteran Neil Webster from Sirocco/BRIG said, “I am very positive. I think Melbourne Boat Show has been a great boat show, and it’s really great to be here.” He added, “The interest has been very strong. We’ve sold boats; it’s way beyond my expectations, so I think the BIAV should be very pleased with the results here.”
Michelle Brittain from Mullies Marine and Geelong Marine World was equally enthused, saying, “It’s been a fantastic show this year; the vibe has been high. We’ve had plenty of foot traffic through, and obviously, it’s led to sales for us this year.”
Newcomer Stu Wilson from Nautique Central shared his excitement, stating, “It’s been fantastic, it’s our very first boat show down here in the Docklands, it’s been a really busy show for us. A steady stream of people all weekend long, honestly, we couldn’t be happier!”
Alan Whittley from Whittley Marine summed things up neatly: “The Boat Show has delivered 100% and I look forward to the 5th year in Docklands.”
Boat shows continue to play a vital role in providing the marine industry with significant exposure and promotional opportunities. As one of Melbourne’s most visible CBD events, the 2025 edition enjoyed extensive coverage across television, radio, print, and social media — all supporting the official advertising campaign.
A particular highlight was the six Weekend Sunrise live crosses on Sunday morning. BIAV President Scott O’Hare noted, “It was great to hear from non-industry and even non-boating people, that they saw the boat show, and or knew it was on.”
Scott was among many exhibitors reporting positive outcomes in brand building, lead generation, and sales. For most, the coming weeks will see a surge in follow-ups, dealership visits, and sea trials — setting the stage for a strong summer season.
A major highlight of the event was the attendance of the Minister for Outdoor Recreation (Boating), Steve Dimopoulos, who officially opened the show and pledged the government’s significant four-year support for BIAV’s two annual boat shows.
Other standout moments included the impressive attendance numbers, strong enquiry and sales activity, vibrant entertainment activations, the record-setting Women on Water networking event, the presentation of the Apprentice of the Year Awards, and the well-received Exhibitor Function, where Sundance Marine and JV Marine were recognised for winning the on-water and on-land Best Exhibit Awards respectively.
With this year’s event now wrapped up, BIAV’s focus shifts to the 2026 boat show campaign. This includes the newly announced Gippsland Lakes Boat Show, set to run from 27 February to 1 March in Paynesville, alongside the Classic Boat Rally. Exhibitor documentation for this new event is expected to be released later this week, with early indications showing very strong interest.
The 2026 Melbourne Boat Show will return to its mid-October slot at Docklands, marking the fifth year at the location. With several 2025 exhibitors already requesting additional space, expectations are high for another vibrant and growing event.
