After publishing my original Bucket List Head Races blog, a generous reader got in touch and shared a much more comprehensive list of Australian events. It quickly became obvious that Australia deserves its own bucket list, there’s a real mix of races on offer and some of these races are unique by world standards.
From classic river heads to marathon distances and even rowing through the outback, Australian head races combine travel, challenge, and a strong rowing community vibe. This list is aimed at anyone planning a rowing trip, looking for a new personal challenge, or simply keen to experience some of the best long-distance rowing Australia has to offer.
As always, this isn’t a fully checked or exhaustive list. Dates, distances, and formats can change, so please confirm details with the organisers before entering.
Victoria
Head of the Yarra – Melbourne, VIC
Held on the Yarra River in Melbourne, this is the largest eights regatta in the Southern Hemisphere and regularly attracts crews from across Australia and New Zealand. For many rowers, this is the ultimate Australian bucket-list race.
Melbourne Head – Melbourne, VIC
Established in 2004, this event was created to be a major long-distance race on the Yarra and is often compared in ambition to the Head of the Charles. It continues to grow in profile each year.
Head of the Barwon – Geelong, VIC
A well-established singles time trial on the Barwon River in Geelong. A popular early-season hit-out that attracts scullers from across the state.
Distance: 4.5km
Head of the Mitchell – Mitchell River, Bairnsdale, VIC
Rowed on the scenic Mitchell River near the Gippsland coast, this event offers a choice of distances and a relaxed country regatta feel.
Distances: 3km and 5km
Usually held in October.
Foot of the Goulburn (River to Lake) – Nagambie, VIC
A point-to-point race starting on the upper Murray system and finishing on Lake Nagambie. A great mix of river skill and flatwater speed.
Distance: 5.2km
Typically held in October.
Melbourne Head of the Yarra (Schools Event) – VIC
Held one week prior to the main Head of the Yarra, this race is open to school-aged crews only and is a key fixture on the school rowing calendar.
New South Wales
Head of the River (AAGPS) – Sydney, NSW
A prestigious school rowing event that traditionally marks the end of the season for Great Public Schools in New South Wales. It is held at the Sydney International Regatta Centre and is a major fixture on the school rowing calendar.
Head of the Clarence – NSW
A river head race listed on the Rowing NSW calendar, typically held in December.
Nepean Head – Penrith, NSW
The Nepean Head is a series of head races on the Nepean River, popular with masters, club crews, and school-aged rowers.
- Distance: 5 km
- Focus: Strong masters programme including women’s, men’s, and mixed eights
- Timing: Late May / early June
- Notes: A solid early-season benchmark and a key event for clubs in NSW
- Distance: 5 km (time trial format)
- Timing: Typically later in the season, around November
- Notes: Another key race in the series, continuing the competitive momentum of the Nepean Heads
Bill Beach Memorial Head – Lake Illawarra, NSW
Hosted by Shellharbour City Rowing Club, this long time trial is a favourite with endurance crews and masters rowers.
Distance: 10km
Usually held in September.
Head of the Shoalhaven – Shoalhaven River, NSW
A popular masters-focused event offering racing for eights, quads and fours on a fast-flowing river course.
Distance: 7km
Typically held in October.
Lower Clarence Time Trial – Grafton, NSW
A classic regional long-distance race hosted by Grafton Rowing Club on the Clarence River.
Usually held in September.
Head of the Manning / Wilkes Shield – NSW
One of the longer Australian head races, rowed on the Manning River and often used as a serious endurance test.
Distance: 16km
Usually held in late September.
Queensland
Bentley’s Australian Outback Regatta – Thomson River, QLD
This is true bucket-list rowing. Held across two outback towns, crews race primarily in eights with sprint racing in Barcaldine followed by a long head race in Longreach. Equal parts rowing, travel and adventure.
Day 1: Short sprint races (Barcaldine)
Day 2: 6.5km head race (Longreach)
Usually held in early October.
Head of the Brisbane – Brisbane River, QLD
A long, winding course through the heart of Brisbane, offering challenging steering and varied conditions.
Distance: 9.5km
Typically held in October.
Head of the Tweed – Murwillumbah (NSW–QLD border)
One of the longest head races in Australia, this iconic event is rowed upstream on the Tweed River and is not for the faint-hearted.
Distance: 21km
Usually held in late June.
South Australia
Round the Island Regatta (Alex Ramsay Regatta) – Delfin Island, Adelaide, SA
A distinctive long-distance race looping around Delfin Island, offering sheltered water and technical racing.
Distance: 7.3km
Typically held in November.
Tasmania
Head of the Huon – Franklin, TAS
Rowed on Australia’s southernmost rowing course, this event is known for its scenery, variable conditions and welcoming local clubs.
Distance: 8km
Usually held in October.
NERC Long Distance Races Regatta – Tamar River, Launceston, TAS
A two-day regatta with a strong endurance focus, culminating in eights racing on the Sunday.
Distance: 11km
Typically held in November.
Australian Capital Territory
Col Panton Memorial Marathon Regatta – Lake Burley Griffin, Canberra, ACT
A marathon-style rowing event with multiple boat classes, including mixed masters eights, held on Canberra’s iconic lake.
Distance: 7km
Traditionally held on the second Sunday of October.
Sunshine Coast / Queensland
Bridge to Bridge Mary River – Maryborough, QLD
A long-distance time trial on the Mary River, offering a true endurance challenge and a relaxed regional regatta atmosphere.
Distance: approximately 13–14km
Usually held in August.
Western Australia
RWA Perth to Fremantle Head Race – Swan River, WA
A classic long-distance head race rowed down the Swan River from Perth to Fremantle. This iconic event is a staple on the Western Australian rowing calendar and is known for its length, changing conditions, and strong club participation.
Distance: approximately 16km
Typically held: October or November
Australian head races offer something genuinely different - big rivers, long distances, strong club culture and the chance to turn a regatta into a proper trip away. If you know of other Australian head races that belong on this bucket list, I’d love to hear about them.
