Royal Hobart Regatta2026 · Date · History · Messages
WorkSafe Tasmania / Tasmanian legislation
About Royal Hobart Regatta
The Royal Hobart Regatta is a long-running aquatic carnival in Hobart, Tasmania. The event is held over three days in February and concludes on the second Monday of the month.
That Monday is also a statutory regional public holiday in the area defined by Tasmania’s Statutory Holidays Act 2000. It is not a statewide Australian public holiday.
Why Royal Hobart Regatta matters
The regatta combines aquatic sport, public entertainment and maritime tradition on the River Derwent.
Its public-holiday status is geographically limited. WorkSafe Tasmania lists the holiday for areas south of and including Oatlands and Swansea, with specified exclusions.
History of Royal Hobart Regatta
University of Tasmania archival history records the first Hobart Town Anniversary Regatta on 1 December 1838. The current Royal Hobart Regatta Association also traces the event to 1838.
The event was originally known as the Hobart Town Anniversary Regatta. In 1934 King George V conferred the Royal title, after which it became known as the Royal Hobart Regatta.
Tasmania’s current Statutory Holidays Act lists the second Monday in February as the Royal Hobart Regatta statutory holiday in a prescribed southern area. This later legal holiday rule is distinct from the event’s 1838 historical origin.
How the observance developed
This timeline uses documented milestones from reviewed sources. Missing stages are left out rather than guessed.
Sir John Franklin
The current Royal Hobart Regatta Association describes the event as founded in 1838 by Sir John Franklin, then Governor of the colony.
First documented observance
University of Tasmania archival history records the first Hobart Town Anniversary Regatta on 1 December 1838.
The event became known as the Royal Hobart Regatta.
King George V · Royal title conferred on the regatta
Current law designates the second Monday in February as the Royal Hobart Regatta statutory holiday for the prescribed southern Tasmanian area.
Parliament of Tasmania · Statutory Holidays Act 2000, Schedule 1
Royal Hobart Regatta Association
The Association identifies itself as the governing body and publishes current programmes.
What the evidence establishes
Confirmed institutional roles and milestones are shown first. Details that could not be established from the reviewed sources are listed separately below.
5 fields not established in reviewed sources
Later institutional actions
Later recognition, renaming, mergers or date changes are kept separate from original establishment.
How to Observe Royal Hobart Regatta
Check the Royal Hobart Regatta Association programme for current races, displays and public activities.
If planning around the holiday, confirm that your location falls within the statutory area rather than assuming it applies across Tasmania.
Explore archival programmes or local-history collections to compare the modern regatta with earlier editions.
Use current road-closure, transport and accessibility guidance when attending in person.
Royal Hobart Regatta Facts
The first Hobart Town Anniversary Regatta is documented on 1 December 1838.
The Royal Hobart Regatta Association remains the governing body for the annual event.
The Royal title dates to 1934.
The current statutory holiday falls on the second Monday in February.
The statutory holiday applies only to the geographic area specified in Tasmanian law.
Royal Hobart Regatta Messages
Happy Royal Hobart Regatta—enjoy a tradition that has been part of Hobart life since 1838.
Wishing everyone attending the Royal Hobart Regatta a safe and enjoyable long weekend on and around the Derwent.
May this year’s regatta be a memorable celebration for competitors, volunteers and spectators alike.
Topic and context
What this page does not assume
- Keep the source-defined country, community, organizer or institutional scope; do not silently broaden it.
- Do not treat the title alone as proof of government recognition or public-holiday status.
- Do not add a creator, founding story or origin claim unless the supporting evidence establishes it.
Evidence & sources
Sources used across the guide are gathered here. Labels show how each source supports the page, and contextual references are kept separate from primary evidence.
Tasmanian Legislation — Statutory Holidays Act 2000 (opens in a new tab)
State Legislation
University of Tasmania — Royal Hobart Regatta Association archive (opens in a new tab)
University Archive
WorkSafe Tasmania — Public holidays (opens in a new tab)
State Government Calendar
Royal Hobart Regatta Association — About Us (opens in a new tab)
Event Organizer
Understand it, compare it, then explore further
Start with the most common factual questions, then compare closely related observances and explore useful connections.
Frequently asked questions
When is Royal Hobart Regatta?
Second Monday in February; 9 February 2026 The documented recurrence rule is: Second Monday in February.
Does Royal Hobart Regatta fall on the same date every year?
It follows a recurring calendar rule, so the Gregorian date can change from year to year.
Is Royal Hobart Regatta an official public holiday?
Within the reviewed scope, it is identified as Regional Tasmanian public holiday in prescribed areas. That status is not automatically extended to other countries or jurisdictions.
Who established or recognizes Royal Hobart Regatta?
The documented basis is: WorkSafe Tasmania / Tasmanian legislation. Supporting evidence includes WorkSafe Tasmania — Public holidays. The site does not infer a separate creator or founder unless reviewed evidence establishes one.
Is Royal Hobart Regatta international or country-specific?
No single country is assigned to this observance. Its documented scope is: Regional Tasmanian public holiday in prescribed areas. Use that scope rather than assuming worldwide or country-specific status.
How is this page verified?
The factual information is checked against reviewed sources, including the date pattern, scope and institutional history. This page was checked on 2026-09-06.
When is the Royal Hobart Regatta holiday?
Tasmanian law places the regional statutory holiday on the second Monday in February.
Is the Royal Hobart Regatta holiday statewide?
No. State law and WorkSafe Tasmania define a specific regional area and exclusions.
When did the regatta begin?
University of Tasmania archival history records the first Hobart Town Anniversary Regatta on 1 December 1838.
Why is it called the Royal Hobart Regatta?
The Royal title was conferred in 1934; the event had previously been known as the Hobart Town Anniversary Regatta.
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