25/05/2026
Float Your Boat 2026 ⛵️🛟
Friday 19 June
The flotilla will travel from Empire Marina to Toronto, Coal Point and Wangi Wangi.
🛥️
Float Your Boat 2026 ⛵️🛟
Friday 19 June
The flotilla will travel from Empire Marina to Toronto, Coal Point and Wangi Wangi.
🛥️
Saturday 20 June
The flotilla will travel from Belmont to Valentine, Eleebana, Warners Bay, and finish at Empire Marina.
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Join thousands of spectators along the shoreline at one of our live sites or step aboard and become part of the show.
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What is Float Your Boat?
Float Your Boat is a free, family-friendly light festival that celebrates our lake, creativity, community, and visitors alike across two nights.
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The Flotilla Parade: Boats of all shapes and sizes are transformed with incredible light displays created by the Flotilla entrants and cruise the lake each night.
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The Live Sites: Spectators enjoy the best viewing points with music, art, entertainment, and food.
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The Awards: Flotilla entrants compete for the Mayor’s Choice Award and the Newcastle Permanent People's Choice Award for best light display. Flotilla participants also go in the running for Entrant Prizes.
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Captain’s call to get on board for Float Your Boat.
Expressions of interest are now open for captains and crafters to join the Float Your Boat fleet for 2026 and go in the running for a raft of prizes.
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With Lake Macquarie City Council putting up $600 for the first 20 entrants to assist with costs, and two free nights’ mooring at Empire Marina on offer, it’s the perfect time to throw your captain’s hat in the ring.
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Cash prizes are up for grabs with $1000 for the most popular light display, $600 for runner-up and $400 for third place in the Newcastle Permanent People’s Choice Award.
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Lake Macquarie Mayor Adam Shultz will pick favourites in the five to 10 metres and 10m plus categories – with $400 prizes in store for ‘Mayor’s Choice’ winners.
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First-time entrants and boaties who refer a friend will go in the draw to win a two-night stay at a Lake Mac Holiday Park.
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Boats must be a minimum of five metres and be capable of a minimum six knots per hour.
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Captains must be over the age of 16 and hold a current RMS boat license.
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Float Your Boat takes place over two nights, Friday 19 and Saturday 20 June 2026.
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Head to lakemac.com.au for more information and to register interest by Sunday 31 May 2026.
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