JOIN BURRA ON THE 15TH OF NOVEMBER FOR THE BURRA YACHT RACE!

What to Expect: Midday till late

  • The Burra Boat Race is a fun, family-friendly event where locals build homemade boats (no bigger than 2m²) and race them down Burra Creek. With creative crafts, quirky competition, and plenty of laughs, and live music, food stalls, a group tug-of-war, and prizes for every race — and you’ve got one unforgettable day by the water!

  • Homemade Boat Races for juniors, seniors, ladies, and open crews — with prizes for each category

  • A high-stakes Tug of War for teams ready to battle it out on dry land

  • Live music from local artist Annie Wheare to keep the good vibes flowing

  • A tasty selection of food and drink stalls serving up local favourites

There’s plenty to do, heaps to win, and loads of laughs to be had. So grab your mates, bring the family, and come enjoy one of Burra’s best-loved community events.

See you at the Burra creek!

History

The Burra Yacht Club began in the early 1980s, inspired by a humorous incident during a flood in 1980. Jimmy "Tracker" James attempted to drive through floodwaters near the Bon Accord Hotel but got stuck. Peter Reilly heroically rescued him, and over a few beers, the two decided to race makeshift boats down Burra Creek.

The first unofficial race took place on the October long weekend, 1980, with no clear winner but plenty of enthusiasm. This led to the formation of the Burra Yacht Club, and the first official regatta was held in 1981, followed by another in 1982. Tracker James was named permanent Commodore, and Peter Reilly received a special honour for his role.

After Tracker’s passing, the Tracker James Memorial Cup was introduced for the most consistent craft. In 2025, the Peter Reilly Junior Cup was also introduced to encourage young participants and honour Peter’s legacy.

The club was active until 1996, with a one-time revival in 2014. Now in 2025, the Burra Yacht Club has been relaunched by a new generation committed to continuing the fun and community spirit of the original events.

A Huge Thank You to Our Sponsors

The Burra Yacht Race wouldn’t float without the generous support of our amazing local sponsors. Their contributions help bring the event to life — from boats on the creek to smiles onshore.

We proudly thank:

Major

goyderconnect, Iris & wool, Burra Hardware, Adchem, Waters Burra Bakery, AGL,Neoen, Pikes brewing co & goyder council

Gold

Coopers butchers,Oppy's IGA & Shane Obryan stress free shearing

Silver

Ackland Carpentry, Elders Burra, Copperhouse wines, Matt Reily

Bronze

D&R Klem machinery hire, The Miners Inn, Burra Motor Co BP, Burra Antiques Darrel, Burra Tyres

Please support the local legends who support our community.

Contact us

Brett Wallis Secretary/Treasurer – Burra Burra Yacht Club 0429 776 082 burrayachtclub@gmail.com