Our History.

The story of the Tamar Yacht Club begins in 1837, a year of remarkable moments. Melbourne was being named and mapped for the first time, Charles Dickens released Oliver Twist, and major financial upheaval swept through the United States. Amid these global events, a quieter but deeply significant milestone unfolded here in northern Tasmania.

On 2 September 1837, The Cornwall Chronicle reported the formation of a new yachting organisation on the Tamar — a club established with eight yachts and plans to celebrate the Queen’s Birthday with a regatta.
This early newspaper account forms the foundation of the Tamar Yacht Club’s proud claim as the oldest yacht club in the Southern Hemisphere.

  • Early Years

    The Club went on to establish a clubhouse and jetty at Park Street, Launceston. A slip yard was built to provide maintenance facilities for member's boats. Racing and cruising was conducted from this base, with a Start/Finish "box" constructed in the nearby Royal Park grounds.

  • 1955

    In 1955 the Club purchased a new clubhouse at 7 Park Street, next to the slip yard. This development resulted in a booming increase in membership.

  • 1996

    In 1996 the Club purchased the Beauty Point Marina to provide safe mooring facilities for the club member's craft. This, together with the revitalised junior development program, was the catalyst for yet another surge in membership. The Club's facilities in Park Street expanded, with the purchase of a home adjoining the slip yard. This was converted into club rooms and later extended to provide for the expanding membership.

  • 2008

    2008 saw some significant changes at the Tamar Yacht Club. The opening of a new club house in the grounds of the Beauty Point Marina, in addition to the facilities in Launceston, some 37nm away, has enabled a wider program of sailing events and activities.

  • Now and Into The Future

    Sound management by the General Committee and staff, over a very long time, has positioned the Tamar Yacht Club in a strong position to provide excellence in yachting and associated activities, for the future.

 A Written Legacy

TYC’s rich story has been beautifully captured in the book:
The Tamar Yacht Club: A History of Sailing in Launceston Tasmania From 1837,
written by club member Julian Burgess and published by fellow member Christopher (Gus) Green OAM.

Printed locally in Launceston by Bokprint, the book is available through:

  • the TYC office

  • Tamar Marine

  • the QVMAG Shop

  • Petrarch’s Bookshop

It’s a wonderful read for anyone who wants to explore the club’s origins, colourful characters, and nearly two centuries of Tasmanian sailing heritage.

Beauty Pt wharf old.jpg
Clubhouse with Cm Reynolds.jpg
Old clubhouse post card.jpg
Old clubhouse1.jpg
Tamar class boats at jetty.jpg
TYC 7 Park Street LPIC147-1-156 navey Dril hall infront of mill 1916 Spurling.jpg