The best in boating, watercraft and marine tech will be on display for Sydneysiders this weekend at the annual Sydney International Boat Show.

Taking place at Darling Harbour’s International Convention Centre from Thursday, August 1 to Sunday, August 4, the yearly event has gathered around 200 boats, complemented by masterclasses, exhibitors, educational masterclasses, and immersive experiences designed to showcase all things boating.

There’s something for everyone with even a smidgen of interest in the boating world, centered around the main stage where speakers include some of Australia’s leading fishing experts including sporting legend Andrew “ET” Ettingshausen, who is celebrating 25 years of one of Australia’s most beloved fishing shows, Escape Fishing with ET. His illuminating insights will be complemented by a roster of other daily speakers including Paul Burt, Peter ‘PJ’ Johnson, Rhys Creed, Tim Simpson, Justin Duggan, Doug Burt and Greg Reid.

ET will also be offering one guest the chance for themselves to head out on Sydney Harbour for a money-can’t-buy fishing experience, which he will lead for the winner and two friends.

The main stage will have various ‘how to’ talks each day, including how to catch Murray Cod, an instructive talk on Water Dropping, a discussion on bait versus lures, and tips on salt and freshwater fishing.

Spectators often pop by to glean fishing tips and insights from their heroes, as well as attend the Shimano Fishing Tank Show with Dave ‘Mossy’ Moss and witness various on-water demonstrations with vessels of all shapes and sizes. Not only that, but guests will hear about the latest trends in boating, with this year being all about electric vessels across motors, boats and PWCs.

Various Eyachts will have their launch at the event, including Axopar’s 29 Sun Top and 45 XC, and the Pardo 50.

Don’t miss the Discover Sailing & Paddling Hub, set up for novices and experts seeking to broaden their knowledge of waterborne activities. Various interactive activities are scheduled in with discussions, demonstrations, and giveaways.

There will be an opportunity for guests to step on board several specialty vessels over the weekend, including the Maritime Environmental Services vessel, Marine Rescue NSW Safety vessel, the NSW Police Force Maine Area Command Offshore Patrol vessel, and the HMAS Advance. Not only will these show the boats in action, but also educate guests on how these various boats protect our waters and boating communities throughout the year.

Lisa Blair’s iconic vessel, Climate Action Now, will be a big part of the four-day event. Blair, the fastest person to sail solo (uninterrupted and unassisted) around Antarctica, will give guests a very rare opportunity to step aboard a one-of-one ocean racing yacht that has five world records under its belt.

If you’re planning to head along to the ICC this weekend, be sure the pop on over the Australian National Maritime Museum. The long-standing institution, a short walk from the Convention Centre, will host a variety of interactive, family-friendly experiences in addition to its usual exploration of Australia’s rich maritime heritage.