Rosehill Gardens set to switch to nautical mode

The thunder of thoroughbred hooves, colourful jockey’s silks and the equally colourful ‘bookies’ will not be seen at the famous home of the Golden Slipper over the weekend of March 6 and 7 as the course plays host to the boating industry.

The stage is set for the annual Rosehill Trailer Boat Show organised by the Boating Industry Association of NSW and featuring the cream of the state’s marine dealerships.

Once known as The Great Silverwater Boat Show and staged on the banks of the Parramatta River, only a couple of kilometres from Rosehill, the move into the modern Rosehill Gardens Event Centre gave the show a new lease of life.

It has established itself as one of the most popular regional boat shows in Australia.

With free admission and ample free parking, the boating public has certainly embraced the concept, with more than 10,000 visitors turning up last year.

The 2010 show, which will be open 9am to 5pm over both days, has attracted nearly 50 exhibitors.

Domenic Genua, the association’s Marketing and Event Manager, said Rosehill represented an ideal opportunity for the genuine boat buyer.

“We are particularly appreciative of the support from our members and many of them use the Rosehill show to prepare for the slower winter sales period and clear excess stock,” he explained.

“A big plus for show visitors this year is that marine dealers will be displaying boats to suit every application demanded on the waterways, from water skiing to blue water angling, family cruising to canoeing and kayaking,” he added.

All the big names in recreational boating will be on display, including locally built craft such as Quintrex, Haines Signature, Webster Twinfishers, Horizon, Stacer, Sea-Al, Seafarer, Whittley, Cruise Craft and Savage.

They’ll be competing against some of the best-known imports, among them Sea Ray, Cobalt, Bayliner, Boston Whaler, Sea Doo, Four Winns and Glastron.

While they might rate as the “star attractions”, boats are only a part of the Rosehill Trailer Boat Show.

Marine engines, fishing tackle, boat trailers, jet skis and personal watercraft, marine electronics and numerous exhibitors marketing a comprehensive array of general boating accessories and equipment all add appeal to the exhibition.

Another attraction sure to create interest will be Brett Thompson’s spectacular Supertank and the ‘performing fish’.

The show’s location is a major plus for visitors; it is surrounded by major ring roads making it easily accessible from all parts of the Sydney metropolitan area.

Research into visitor attendance undertaken by the association has revealed the show attracts people from as far afield as the Blue Mountains and Central Coast regions.

Domenic Genua rates the Rosehill exhibition as “a great way to spend a lazy day.”

“In between checking out the displays, show visitors can take a break at one of the various cafes scattered throughout the show” he said.

Visitors to the show can get more information by visiting www.bia.org.au or calling the shows recorded information line 1300 7BOATS