Brisbane to Gladstone Yacht Race set for 78th annual sailing on Good Friday

Introduction: Why the Brisbane to Gladstone Yacht Race matters

The Brisbane to Gladstone Yacht Race is one of Australia’s premier blue-water classics, traditionally held on Good Friday and starting from Shorncliffe in Moreton Bay. The event draws recreational sailors, veteran skippers and historic yachts, combining sporting challenge with maritime heritage. The 78th running of the brisbane to gladstone yacht race is scheduled for Good Friday, 3 April 2026, sustaining a long regional tradition and attracting local and national attention.

Main body: Entries, notable boats and lead-up performances

The Gladstone Ports Corporation has confirmed the Brisbane to Gladstone Yacht Race will return for its 78th year, setting sail on Good Friday, 3 April 2026. The race traditionally departs from Shorncliffe in Moreton Bay and covers the coastal route to Gladstone, offering varied conditions that test both crews and vessels.

Among the fleet, media reports highlight a potentially historic entry: the Maritimo Katwinchar, a yacht built in a London brewery 122 years ago. The Maritimo Katwinchar is aiming to become the oldest boat to compete in the race and may make what organisers and its skipper describe as a final competitive appearance before the vessel enters a museum. The yacht has a storied past, having competed in the Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race in its earlier years and later serving as the family boat for notable boat builder Bill Barry-Cotter.

The 78th edition has attracted a diverse fleet, with reports indicating 29 yachts entered. Local lead-up events have provided competitive preparation: Peter Kerr, boat builder and skipper of Spetsig, won his division at the Surf to City Yacht Race, a major offshore lead-up from Southport to Shorncliffe in Queensland’s south-east. Such preparatory races are commonly used to fine-tune crews and tune boats for the more extended passage to Gladstone.

Conclusion: Outlook and significance for readers

The 2026 brisbane to gladstone yacht race promises a mix of competition and maritime heritage, blending contemporary contenders with historic entries like the 122-year-old Maritimo Katwinchar. With the race scheduled for Good Friday, 3 April 2026, and 29 yachts reportedly entered, enthusiasts can expect a competitive field and strong community interest. For readers, the event underlines the endurance of Australia’s coastal yacht racing culture and offers a milestone moment for preserving maritime history as older vessels transition from active racing to museum exhibition.