Australia's best rowers return to Tasmania for

2025 Australian Rowing Championships

Tasmania will host the Australian Rowing Championships (ARC) at the world-renowned Lake Barrington course in 2025, from 24-30 March.

The ARC was last held in Tasmania in 2021 which, despite the impacts from COVID, still attracted more than 4000 participants and visitors (79% from interstate), injecting millions of dollars into the Tasmanian economy.

Rowing Tasmania was also a strong beneficiary, with significant infrastructure improvements at Lake Barrington and a corresponding growth in revenue streams including training camps for interstate schools and clubs.   

The Tasmanian Government recognises the importance of attracting top-level sports events to the State and has committed funding through Events Tasmania to bring the championships back to Lake Barrington in 2025.

The national event model provides significant benefits to its host state, as seen in 2023 when the ARC was held at Champion Lakes Regatta Centre in Western Australia, providing the state with a major economic impact.

Rob Prescott, Rowing Tasmania’s Chief Executive, welcomed the return of one of Australia’s great national championships, which engages the rowing community from schools and clubs to elite athletes. 

“This is a fantastic opportunity for the Tasmanian rowing community and for the state to be part of the Green and Gold Runway towards the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games,” Mr Prescott said. 

“We're very grateful for Events Tasmania and the State Government’s support of our event. No doubt competitors, their families and friends will enjoy everything the island has to offer outside of the excitement of the regatta. 

“We'll make every post a winner at Lake Barrington International Rowing Course, the home of the 1990 World Championships. It just adds another chapter to the history of what we believe is the best rowing course in Australia.” 

Rowing Australia Chief Executive Sarah Cook OLY said Tasmania has a long pedigree of delivering top-tier events and the 2025 ARC would be no exception.

“We can’t wait to bring our marquee event back to Tasmania in 2025. Lake Barrington has produced so many incredible moments and the stage is set for another remarkable week of racing,” Ms Cook said.

“With the backing of Events Tasmania, the State Government and our colleagues at Rowing Tasmania, we have no doubt these Championships will be the highlight of the national rowing calendar once again.”

Minister for Sport and Recreation Nic Street said the Championships would showcase the natural beauty of Tasmania to competitors from across the country and inspire the State’s best rowers to pursue their Olympic dreams.

“Tasmania has an exceptional record of producing world-class rowers and I’m sure our athletes will be right up there on their own course with a home crowd behind them,” Minister Street said.

“We’re proud of our rowing talent and of Lake Barrington as a venue and we are all looking forward to showcasing the best of Tasmania to the Australian rowing community again in 2025.”

The 2025 Australian Rowing Championships would be the first post the 2024 Paris Olympic and Paralympic Games and will be a launch pad for the new quad cycle to the 2028 LA Games, as well as the exciting prospect of a home Games at Brisbane 2032.  

Many of the rowers who will go on to compete at the Brisbane Olympic and Paralympic Games, including Tasmanian home-grown talent, will be competing at the 2025 Australian Rowing Championships. 

A portion of the State Government’s financial investment will be used for infrastructure improvements at the Lake Barrington course. Rowing Australia is committed to engaging with local business and services to help deliver a memorable event.