2026 Gippsland Lakes Boat Show a Success
Organisers, the BIAV and Exhibitors, have hailed the inaugural Gippsland Lakes Boat Show a success after it concluded on the Paynesville Waterfront on Sunday afternoon.
Very favourable weather, an outstanding waterfront location, and a great display by Exhibitors made for two great days over the weekend. Complemented by the Paynesville Classic Boat Rally, and featuring the inaugural Bream Cup, the boat show and overall festival was no doubt a great success.
The three-day estimated 4,000 - 5,000 strong crowd took in the boat show, as well as numerous Classic Boat Rally activations, including the main ‘parades’ on both Saturday and Sunday. Over 250 individual classic boats of all types and styles worked their way down the McMillan Strait and through the heart of Paynesville. Thousands lined the banks as this took place.
Exhibitors described the crowd as a genuine boat show crowd with real interest. Brand building was certainly at a premium, there were many leads generated, and there was quite a bit of evidence of people sitting at little tables in marquees with pen in hand!
BIAV CEO Steve Walker commented, “Well done to the 50 high-quality exhibitors that displayed a great array of fishing, cruising, ski, and sailing boats, as well as many boating accessories and services.” Adding “Our thanks go to the Victorian State Government, East Gippsland Shire, Destination Gippsland, Gippsland Ports, and Mariners Cove. He went on to single out the organisers of the Rally, recognising the excessive efforts of Bruce Stringer, Ron Parker and Vesna Rendulic.
The Bream Cup, as a feature activation, was also hailed a great success. Steve Walker commented, “BIAV has been so happy to host the event, to feature the 18 elite anglers, and to bring top-class fishing to a boat show”. He went on to thank Tournament Consultant Rhys Withers, the idea creator, Ben Scullin, the tournament director, and the BIAV team. Adding activation power to the boat show was Cookie’s Supertank and Paul Burt’s seafood cooking. Both were hugely popular over the two days.
Stratford Marine celebrated on Friday evening at the Exhibitor Gathering and Event Launch. They were awarded the best exhibit prize for their display by BIAV’s boat show organiser supreme Katrina Muir. Matt Telling was taken aback, but delighted to be recognised. Word on the street was that they backed up the award with some good action over the weekend.
Inverloch Marine GM James Cody was very enthused, stating, “It’s been great. Very busy all weekend. We’ve had lots of good, solid enquiries which we expect to convert. It’s been a success, and we will certainly be back if the event is repeated.”
Gippsland RV & Marine’s Fran Pinch commented, “We’ve had a fabulous weekend. It’s been amazing with a great turnout and lots of interest. Overall brilliant, and if it’s back again we’ll be there.
Kyabram Marine made a huge effort to attend, and Jen Larkin commented, “Fantastic. Well worth the journey. It’s a beautiful location with very enthusiastic crowds, and it's been great overall”.
Many Melbourne-based exhibitors enjoyed the event. One was MMC’s Andrew Stephen who stated “It was a good opportunity to come down to Gippsland Lakes and bring our Northbank boats, which are popular in this area.”
BIAV will assess all of the exhibitor and visitor feedback and contemplate future options for the event, but do expect to be back in 2028 alongside the Paynesville Classic Boat Rally.
The BIAV is the peak body for the marine sector, and represents an industry worth $4.5 Billion dollars to the Victorian economy and provides more than 17,700 jobs. BIAV represents its members and supports the over 203,000 registered boat owners, 450,000 marine license holders, and 900,000 boating participants in Victoria each year.
