The winners of this year’s RQYS Brisbane to Bundaberg Offshore Yacht Race will have the chance to ring in their victory with a specially engraved ship’s bell donated by a local business.
The ship’s bell was transformed into a trophy in honour of the race by major event sponsor Pacific Tug and they hope to see it become a lasting tradition at the event.
The inaugural race is set to depart Brisbane on 18 June 2026 and will see a diverse fleet of yachts sail north along the Queensland coast before finishing at Bundaberg Port Marina.
Bundaberg Region Mayor Helen Blackburn will help launch the boats from Brisbane and welcome them into the Bundaberg Port at the finish line.
Pacific Tug Executive Director Robert Peters said he had asked Mayor Blackburn to present the special trophy to this year’s race winners.
He originally owned the bell with plans to display it in his own home before deciding to gift it for use in the race instead.
He said the trophy was created as a way to say thank you for the support Pacific Tug had received from the Bundaberg Region.
“We were looking for a way to show our appreciation to the Bundaberg Regional Council for the support that has been given to us,” he said.
“When told about the upcoming Brisbane to Bundaberg yacht race we were keen to sponsor…
“As this is the first year of what we hope will be many years to come of this race we thought that a perpetual trophy would be good and the ‘ringing of the bell’ might be a nice tradition to create.
“We have made room so that a plaque can be fitted each year with the name of the winning yacht.”
Mayor Helen Blackburn said the bell was a fitting symbol for the inaugural race and would add to the event experience for competitors and spectators alike.
“The generosity of Pacific Tug in donating this unique trophy is greatly appreciated and demonstrates the strong support local businesses are providing to this exciting new event, organised by The Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron,” Mayor Blackburn said.
“The ringing of the bell is a wonderful tradition to begin with the inaugural race and I look forward to welcoming the winning skipper to take part in it.”
About the event:
Organised by the Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron, the Brisbane to Bundaberg Offshore Yacht Race is a Category 3+ passage along the Queensland coast.
The course rewards navigation, seamanship, and consistent boat preparation across an approximately 250 nautical mile leg from Brisbane to Bundaberg.
Developed to encourage participation, camaraderie and destination racing, organisers intend for competitors to complete the course by Friday evening, allowing time to enjoy the Bundaberg Region and its attractions.
Find out more here.
