With Sydney’s interstate and international borders re-opening, the city is preparing to celebrate its magnificent harbour with the first-ever Sydney Superyacht Festival (SSYF), at the start of January.
The SSYF will run from 1-6 January 2022, open to Sydneysiders and visitors.
The event is being developed by Marine Lifestyles and supported by Superyacht Australia and Dr Jerry Schwartz, owner of Sofitel Sydney Darling Harbour, Sydney Brewery and Sydney Seaplanes.
As the Sydney to Hobart yachts sail out of the harbour, the luxury superyachts will power in, with a feature of the festival being a Superyacht and Luxury Boast Parade on 1 January, which will start from Watson’s Bay, go up the harbour and pass under the Harbour Bridge before returning to Rose Bay.
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Spectators will be able to participate in a range of special events in what is being touted the Ultimate Marine Lifestyles Experience.
Activations announced at the launch event in the Empire Lounge at Sydney Seaplanes base on the water at Rose Bay, included:
- Gourmet picnics on Shark Island with fine food & entertainment
- A SSYF ‘party catamaran’ with a floating pool and water sports activities in Sydney harbour
- Cocktail functions at Sydney Seaplanes’ Empire Lounge at Rose Bay
- Events and functions at Sofitel Sydney Darling Harbour
The Sydney Superyacht Festival concept has been developed by Grant Dwyer, who, with Stephen Hennessy, established Marine Lifestyles.
“I envisioned a Monaco style annual luxury boating event flowing on from the Sydney New Year’s Eve fireworks, showcasing the beauty of Sydney Harbour to the world,” said Dwyer.
“The opening parade will feature the very best luxury boating brands in Australia, and encourage international superyachts not just to come to Sydney for the New Year’s Eve fireworks, but to stay in Sydney and be part of a series of events and functions centred on the harbour.
“The longer-term goal is to have Australian and international businesses, organisations and luxury brands hosting functions on VIP charter boat or at distinctive harbour venue functions for companies, clients and guests, while enjoying the Sydney Superyacht Festivities.
“We are thankful for the support of Sydney hotelier and passionate supporter of local tourism, Dr Jerry Schwartz, who is involving Sofitel Sydney Darling Harbour, Sydney Brewery and Sydney Seaplanes in the festival.”
Dr Schwartz welcomed the launch of the Festival, saying:
“This is a crucial period for reviving Sydney’s tourism industry after almost two years of closed international and interstate borders, and with Sydney Harbour regularly regarded as the world’s finest harbour, we thought it imperative to create a Festival that puts the destination back on the world tourism map.
“High-end festivals over the summer season can fill what is a traditionally quiet time for the city’s tourism sector, while highlighting Sydney as a premium destination. It’s a perfect vehicle for extending domestic and international tourists’ stays in Sydney after New Year’s Eve fireworks and the start of the Sydney to Hobart yacht race.”
Full details of the Festival will be available progressively on the SSYF website: www.ssyf.com.au.