Two Australian sailing drawcards are expected to generate bumper fleets and an increased international presence when Hamilton Island Race Week in August marks 40 years and the Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race in December marks 80. 

Numbers are climbing quickly for the milestone 40th Hamilton Island Race Week, August 16 – 23 2025. A hundred plus entries have been lodged including a Californian based JPK 11.8 called Bacchanal and a first generation TP52 from New Zealand called V5. 

The Race Week Notice of Race is published and owners and skippers can enter here.  

The 100th entry is Scott Mutton and his South Australian Austral Farr 42 IRC called 3 Cool Cats. To celebrate his 60th birthday year, Mutton has drawn up a busy east coast campaign that includes the feeder races north, Hamilton Island Race Week and the 80th Sydney Hobart Race. 

“I've been to Hamilton Island Race Week a few times on charter boats,” Mutton said. “I always wanted to do Race Week with my own boat; I never really wanted to do the Sydney Hobart, but decided to put them together and do the whole kit and caboodle. 

Mutton's had no issue finding willing crew for his extended 60th birthday adventure. “When you mention Hamilton Island Race Week and Sydney Hobart, two of the biggest sailing events in Australia, suddenly acquaintances become best friends!”  

Competing and upholding the Oatley family's strong ties to the event will be Sandy Oatley with his RP66 Wild Oats X, skippered by longtime helmsman Mark Richards. The Oatley family are Hamilton Island custodians and Sandy Oatley is a keen sailor, dedicated competitor of 23 Race Weeks and multiple winner.  

Hamilton Island will celebrate the special 40th Race Week with commemorative displays and a look back at the key players who were instrumental in the conception and inaugural regatta in 1984, when an impressive 93 yachts arrived to contest the debut event. 

Island CEO Nick Dowling said: "Hamilton Island Race Week has long been a highlight of the Australian sailing calendar and as we celebrate its 40th year, it's fantastic to see such a strong response from sailors both here and abroad.  
 
“With entries filling fast and an exciting line-up of celebrations planned, we look forward to welcoming sailors to experience everything that makes Race Week so special. And for those internationals heading south for the 80th Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race, we hope they'll take the opportunity to first line up against some of Australia's best at this milestone event."  

Hamilton Island Race Week's standing on the Southern Hemisphere racing calendar and 40th year will be a significant drawcard for owners to sail, ship, truck and tow their boats to the picturesque location with its stunning island courses on turquoise waters and reliable winter trade winds. Crew can fly direct via all the major carriers from Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne. 

To cater for the extra domestic and international interest, the marina capacity has been increased to 215 regatta boats.   

All the details are available on the Race Week website and socials. 

2024 Hamilton Island Race Week video highlights here. 

More history on Hamilton Island Race Week here. 

Visit the accommodation website to secure your booking. 

@hamiltonislandraceweek @hamiltonisland  

Images

Hamilton Island Race Week images here.

For media inquiries, high-resolution images, or VNR, please visit https://www.hamiltonislandraceweek.com.au/media-centre or contact: 
 
Nic Douglass - Sailing Content Manager, 0402 454 885 | nic@nicdouglass.org   
Lisa Ratcliff - Specialist Content Creator, 0418 428 511 | lisa@occ.net.au 

Caroline Denyer – Hamilton Island General Enquiries, 0433 995 947 | cdenyer@hamiltonisland.com.au

About Hamilton Island

• Hamilton Island is the Southern Hemisphere's largest integrated island resort, offering a range of accommodation options, from self-catering holiday homes and apartments to luxury hotels, 20 casual and fine-dining restaurant options, 2 spas, a 300+ berth marina, and over 65 tours and activities – and we're always adding more. 
• The only island in the Whitsundays with its own commercial airport, Hamilton Island is easily accessible via short flights from major Australian East Coast cities, including Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane, as well as direct boat transfers from the Queensland mainland.  
• Visitors to Hamilton Island can experience the best of Australia's natural beauty—calm turquoise waters, secluded beaches, fascinating coral reefs, diverse flora and fauna, and a year-round average temperature of 27C degrees. 
• Hamilton Island plays host to a year-round calendar of highly-anticipated events including Hamilton Island Race Week - the largest offshore keelboat regatta in the Southern Hemisphere, the Hamilton Island Endurance Series, as well as pas de deux in Paradise – a collaborative project between The Australian Ballet and qualia, running biannually on Pebble Beach at Hamilton Island's luxury resort qualia. 
• Hamilton Island is the gateway to the heart of the Great Barrier Reef including two of its most iconic natural wonders. Whitehaven Beach—crowned Lonely Planet's World's Best Beach 2025—is just a 30-minute high-speed catamaran ride away. Heart Reef, with its vibrant coral and marine life and heart-shaped lagoon, is accessible by helicopter to Hamilton Island's private pontoon.
• The Whitsundays are one of only two sites in Australia designated as a Whale Heritage site by the World Cetacean Alliance, hosting thousands of humpback whales annually.  
• Hamilton Island plays host to a year-round calendar of highly-anticipated events including Hamilton Island Race Week - the largest offshore keelboat regatta in the Southern Hemisphere, the Hamilton Island Endurance Series, as well as pas de deux in Paradise – a collaborative project between The Australian Ballet and qualia, running biannually on Pebble Beach at Hamilton Island's luxury resort qualia. With over 20 kilometres of unspoiled nature trails and secluded hideaways to explore, guests can immerse themselves in Hamilton Island's natural beauty, discovering sandy coves and encountering Australia's unique flora and fauna.  
• Golf enthusiasts can tee off at The Hamilton Island Golf Club – the only golf course in Australia on its own island. Designed by five-time British Open Champion Peter Thomson, Hamilton Island Golf Club and its Clubhouse restaurant are just a short scenic ferry-ride away.
• For those seeking wellness, Hamilton Island offers an abundance of activities, from sunrise yoga and park run to a fully equipped gym with instructor-led classes. The island's Spa wumurdaylin provides a sanctuary for relaxation, offering rejuvenating treatments and natural therapies.
• The only island in the Whitsundays with its own commercial airport, Hamilton Island is easily accessible via short flights from major Australian East Coast cities, including Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane, as well as direct boat transfers from the Queensland mainland.  
• Established in 1982, Hamilton Island has received over $400 million in improvements since it was acquired by Australia's Oatley family in 2003, including the construction of the 18-hole golf course and the Peter Barda-designed Hamilton Island Yacht Club.