Whitsunday Escape Recyclable Regatta
Date: 03/08/2025Time: 8:30 am - 10:30 am
Location: Airlie Beach Forehore, Airlie Beach, QLD, 4802
Get ready to build it, float it, and race it — the Recyclable Regatta is back and bigger than ever for 2025, proudly supported by Whitsunday Escape!
One of the festival’s most-loved events, the regatta brings together schools, community groups, tourism operators, and adventurous mates for a wild ride on the high seas (or at least the Airlie Beach foreshore).
Expect creative rafts, pirate costumes, and plenty of laughs as teams paddle their hand-built crafts — made entirely from recyclable materials — around the course and back to shore.
This year, we’d love to see local businesses jump on board! It’s the perfect team-building challenge — build a raft, get creative with your branding, and take on your competitors in a fun, light-hearted race on the water. Bragging rights (and great prizes) are up for grabs!
Who Can Enter?
Everyone! Gather your crew and join the fun — whether you’re a school group, community club, tourism operator, or just a bunch of mates. The Recyclable Regatta is open to all ages with four divisions for 2025 (the same raft can be used in more than one division:
- Kids 6–12
- Teens 13–17
- Adults 18+
- Local Businesses (friendly competition highly encouraged!)
Great prizes are up for grabs in each category, so bring your best raft-building game!
Raft & Race Rules
- Max raft size: 3m x 3m
- Max crew: 3 people per raft
- Must use recyclable materials only
- Life jackets are mandatory
- Raft must have a name clearly displayed (min. 12” lettering)
- Any type of paddle or oar may be used
Raft Course – Airlie Beach foreshore
Race starts at 8:30 AM on the Airlie Beach foreshore.
Rafts will race around designated markers and return to shore, but it doesn’t finish there – the race is not over until all crew members run up the beach and cross the finish line together!
Allowed Raft Materials:
✅ Milk, juice, soft drink bottles
✅ Plastic drums
✅ Bamboo poles
❌ Not Allowed:
🚫 Foam insulation (e.g. Coolite)
🚫 Boat parts, canoes, or kayaks
🚫 Any material that could pollute the ocean
🚫 Paints or coatings that may leach contaminants
How to Join the Fun
- A signed Consent Form is required for all participants
- Register below and start collecting your recyclable materials!
🎉 Let the challenge begin… Arrr!
The Recyclable Regatta is all about fun, sustainability, and community spirit — and 2025 is shaping up to be the biggest splash yet.
Further information/advice on choice of materials please contact marketing@whitsundayescape.com