Not just boats to tempt punters

IF wooden vessels don’t float your boat, there is still plenty to keep you occupied at this year’s Australian Wooden Boat Festival.

The festival’s Bob Catchpole said there were lots of food and drink options, and a range of musicians performing daily.

“We’ve [also] got a maritime author’s centre, we’ve got an adventure stage which features some of the world’s most interesting adventurers, [and] we’ve got a youth boat building clinic,” Mr Catchpole said.

“[There’s] definitely something for everyone, lots of family entertainment, lots of great fun for the whole family.”

One of the drink options will be provided by Forty Spotted Gin, which is taking over the outdoor area at the Lark Distillery Cellar Door and running a pop-up gin garden over the course of the festival.

Lark Distillery bar manager Campbell McKenzie said drinks to be offered include cocktails on tap and gin and tonics, and there will be a food truck and live music every day.

“There’s always a lovely maritime connection with those spicy, kind of savoury gin notes,” Mr McKenzie said.

“It’s unquestionably one of the busiest times of the year, the Wooden Boat Festival.

“It took us by surprise the first time we ran a gin garden for the Wooden Boat Festival, but we’re a bit more prepared this year and expecting lots of happy, smiley, boat-loving people.”