Your guide to Canberra’s newest lakeside festival (and yes, there’s world-class rowing too)

Posted on 22 October, 2025

Picture this: Olympic gold medallists powering past the shoreline while you’re lounging with a glass of local wine and a loaded food truck taco, your mates cheering beside you.

It’s not a fever dream – it’s the Golden Oar, and it’s landing on Lake Burley Griffin on Saturday 1 and Sunday 2 November.

The team at not-for-profit community rowing hub Red Shed are transforming Black Mountain Peninsula into a two-day celebration that’s equal parts elite sport and lakeside party. Whether you’re there for the racing or just the atmosphere (no judgement), here’s what to expect.

World-class rowing up close and personal

Three-time Olympic gold medallists, Croatian brothers Martin and Valent Sinković.

Croatian brothers Martin and Valent Sinković – three-time Olympic gold medallists – are making their first-ever racing appearance in Australia. They’ll be teaming up with Aussie champions Tara Rigney and Harriet Hudson, which should be genuinely spectacular.

Plus, one of Australia’s most accomplished rowers, Alexander ‘Hilly’ Hill is locked in to compete with his crew at the Golden Oar Regatta. Having won an Olympic Gold at Tokyo 2020, Silver at Rio 2016, and back-to-back World Championship titles in 2017 and 2018, he’ll be one to watch!

The racing unfolds across three formats: a tactical 1500m side-by-side showdown (10 am – 12 noon Saturday), a 3km endurance trial (9–10.45 am Sunday), and sprint finals (12.30–1.45 pm Sunday) that finish right in front of the crowd. Even if you’ve never watched rowing before, there’s something pretty electric about seeing athletes push themselves that hard, that close.

Plus there are crews coming from everywhere – New Zealand Olympians, rising juniors from across the country, masters rowers, para-athletes – all competing for a share of more than $100,000 in prize money.

Live music and lakeside vibes

Voli K is just one of the great artists at Golden Oar.

The beats keep rolling between races with live performances from local artists and those perfectly cruisy afternoon sessions that Canberra does so well. Bring a picnic rug, grab a drink from one of the bars, and settle in for the kind of relaxed weekend energy we’re all craving right now.

Food and wine (the important stuff)

Papi’s joins other food vendors in a delicious weekend.

This is where things get really good. Canberra’s best food trucks, breweries and local producers are setting up shop by the water, and the lineup is seriously diverse.

Fancy Indian? Tikka Stand has you covered. Craving Mexican? Jarochos is bringing the flavours. There’s German sausages from IMBISS, Thai from Yummy Thai, delicious Filipino street food from Grill-Ax and Italian flavours from Papi’s. Cafe Loko will keep the caffeine flowing, Donut Puff Balls are handling dessert duties (because watching rowing definitely counts as exercise, right?), and even more exciting flavours to discover.

Add in craft brews and regional wines, and you’ve got yourself a proper progressive feast. Whether you’re grabbing lunch between races or toasting the day’s winners as the sun goes down, it’s basically the perfect excuse to eat your way around the world without leaving the lake.

The Pro-Am is going to be chaotic in the best way

Saturday’s Pro-Am (12.15–12.45 pm) might be the highlight of the whole weekend. Olympic legends like Duncan Free and Peter Antonie – gold medal Olympians and Aussie legends  – will be racing alongside corporate rowers who literally just finished their spring training program with Red Shed.

It’s set to be 250 metres of pure entertainment, eliminator-style, so crews could race up to three times before the winning crew claims the chocolates.

The combination of elite technique and enthusiastic first-timers? Someone’s definitely “catching a crab” (that’s rowing speak for messing up your oar stroke…apparently).

Cardboard boats and controlled chaos

The Cardboard Boat Regatta is set to be a lot of fun!

In collaboration with the YMCA, teams of teenagers armed with cardboard, duct tape and questionable engineering skills will race their handmade boats across the lake at 2pm on Saturday. There’s $500 up for grabs, plus a “Best Looking Boat” award.

Safety boats will be standing by, which feels very necessary. Sink or swim, it’s going to be brilliant to watch.

The Wild Swim

If you’re keen to get amongst it and stay refreshed, the Wild Swim crew – who brave Lake Burley Griffin year-round – are hosting a relaxed community dip at 1.30 pm on Saturday. No racing, no pressure, just good vibes and cool water.

Whether you dive in or cheer from shore with a coffee, it’s a lovely way to ease into the festival.

Fun for (literally) everyone

If food, wine and rowing aren’t enough to keep you busy, there’s a family zone with activities, games and face painting for the kids.

Looks like we’ve found a new favourite Canberra tradition!