Low Isles Launch Rally returns for milestone 50th edition

After years of absence, the beloved Low Isles Launch Rally is set to make a triumphant return on Australia Day, Sunday, 26 January 2025, celebrating its 50th edition in grand style.

Presented by The Port Douglas Yacht Club and with support from The Tin Shed, the rally will once again see motor launches, motor yachts, and sailing yachts set sail in celebration of this iconic Australia Day tradition.

Participants are encouraged to smarten up their yachts, gather their crews, and embrace the festivities, with a range of prizes up for grabs, including Overall Winner, Best Dressed Crew, and Best Decorated Yacht.

Land-based celebrations and entertainment will run throughout the day at the Port Douglas Yacht Club, ensuring everyone, whether on water or land, can join in the fun.

Peter Cooper, the newly appointed Port Douglas Yacht Club Commodore, shared his excitement about the rally’s return.

“I remember when the rally was incredibly popular, and I’m excited to help bring back that same energy,” he said.

“The Yacht Club’s goal is simple; to get boats, both motor and sailing, out on the water and encourage people to get involved.”

Not a race but a rally

Unlike traditional regattas, the Low Isles Launch Rally is not a race - it’s a test of timing and precision.

On the evening before the event, participants will gather at the Yacht Club to nominate their preferred start time and predict their average speed for the journey. The rally kicks off with a water cannon send-off from the fire brigade.

While departures will occur within a short 15-minute window, return times will vary. Each vessel’s finish time will be logged, and their average speed calculated, with prizes awarded to crews who match their predicted speed most accurately.

A storied past

The Low Isles Launch Rally began in 1965 with a simple bet between two motor launches racing around the Isles. 

“In that inaugural rally, the skipper and crew of the winning boat headed straight to the pub to celebrate and drink freely until the second boat arrived, at which point the losing skipper was expected to cover the tab,” Mr Cooper explained.

“But things didn’t go quite as planned. The second boat broke down and had to be towed back. Frustrated by the painfully slow pace, the skipper jumped overboard, swam to shore, and sprinted to the pub shouting, ‘Stop the drinking!’.”

For decades, the rally was tied to the Courthouse Hotel, with winners receiving a bar stool engraved with their yacht’s name. Today, these historic bar stool tops are proudly displayed at The Tin She

The rally remained a treasured local tradition until it was paused in 2014 due to insurance complications. However, by redefining the event as a rally rather than a race, organisers have navigated these challenges and ensured its long-awaited return.