2019 marks the centenary of the King’s Cup, first competed for and won by the Australian Imperial Forces crew at the Henley Peace Regatta in 1919 following the conclusion of the First World War. By order of King George V, the trophy is now competed for annually in the Interstate eight-oared championship of Australia.
This year heralds the 80th anniversary of the last time QLD won the King’s Cup, in 1939 on the Hamilton Reach of the Brisbane River, starting at Pinkenba and finishing at Brett’s Wharf.
An estimated 20,000 people witnessed Queensland overtake Victoria with only 150 yards (137m) to go, winning by half a length. The photograph above, shows the finish as seen by a University of Queensland tiger moth aircraft following and recording the race!
race3miles in 2019
This event is an unprecedented assembly of Queensland oarsmen racing over this famous course and will be followed by a presentation and function to honor the winning crew and afterwards a celebration for all those involved and all those that wish to see Queensland again claim the King’s Cup and regain the ascendancy in all interstate events in rowing.
There are various opportunities to be involved and everyone is welcome to attend, offer support and enjoy this celebration of the rich history of Queensland rowing and the future being developed.
Invite your family and friends to watch the race and celebrate afterwards at the Regatta Hotel.
The Regatta Hotel is the official hotel of the Queensland King’s Cup effort.
Challenge and Lane Draw
Regatta Hotel, 5pm Sunday 25th August
Dress – Blazer
The captains of the 3 Trial eights crews will issue a formal challenge to race over the original King’s Cup Course on September 8th at 10am. The trophy to be contested will be on display and following the challenge lots will be drawn from which the captains will choose their lane between the Southern Station ‘Bulimba’, the Middle station ‘Gateway’ and the Northern Station ‘Pinkenba’. Crew-members will be presented with racing uniforms at this event.
All crew-members, coaches and supporters are invited to attend. Drinks will follow the 5pm formalities.
For those that wish to find out about the race, meet some of the competitors, coaches and supporters, this is an excellent opportunity to find out more, meet and mingle.
For those that wish to follow the race this is also an excellent opportunity to meet others and organize yourselves into groups that can follow in the spectator flotilla on the water.
3-mile Race Day!
Brisbane River, MacArthur Avenue Central, Pinkenba to Brett’s Wharf, Hamilton. 10am Sunday 8th September .
Best views of the race are on-water via speedboat.
Supporters are invited to spectate at any stage of the morning’s activities. Crews will boat from St Margaret’s boatshed at 9am. The race will start one mile downstream from the Gateway Bridge at Airbus Group Warehouse, MacArthur Avenue Central, Pinkenba at 10am.
Crews will pass the 2 mile mark at approximately 10:10am situated on the Southern Bank at Colmslie Recreation Reserve and the Northern Bank, where the vantage points are excellent at Northshore Riverside Park and the Northshore Hamilton CityCat Terminal.
The finish line is 60m Downstream of the Brett’s Wharf CityCat terminal. Crews will finish at approximately 10:15am. A public walkway is situated on the Northern Bank at this location for a direct line of sight at the finish line.
Spectators are invited to follow the race in a speedboat, and if doing so they are asked to be at the start line no later than 9:50am so as not to wash off the crews during their final warm-up preparations. Speedboats that are not in position at the start prior to this time are asked to wait until the race has passed before joining the following flotilla.
Those following the race must not be ahead of the boat race officials following in official catamarans and must not give wash to any racing crew regardless of margins eventuating during the race.
If you wish to follow the race via speedboat, please organize yourselves early and register your intention to do so, including the persons in the craft by emailing
Post-Race Lunch and Celebration
Oarsmen and coxswain of the winning crew are invited to lunch in the Henley Room of the Regatta Hotel as guests of the King’s Cup Supporters at 1pm following the race.
The Henley room overlooks the Boatshed restaurant at the Regatta Hotel.
Dress – Blazer and Tie.
Other participating oarsmen and supporters are encouraged to lunch at the Regatta during this time if they desire, however a formal happy hour will commence at 3pm.
The Boatshed restaurant is situated directly beside the Henley Room and bookings are encouraged for groups wishing to lunch at the same time as the victorious crew.
The official after-race function in the courtyard of the Regatta Hotel will continue with an open-ended concluding time. Dress for those attending the happy hour and celebratory drinks afterward is Blazer.
All supporters, former King’s Cup oarsmen, Queensland representatives, family, friends, supporters, well-wishers and friends of rowing are invited to attend.
Any queries and questions can be directed to:
Thank you for your efforts and support and see you on Sunday 25th August and Sunday 8th September.
Map of the Course
- Start – Airbus Group Warehouse, MacArthur Avenue Central, Pinkenba
- 1-mile mark (1.61km) – Gateway Bridge
- 2-mile mark (3.22km) – Northshore Hamilton Ferry Terminal
- Finish (3-miles = 4.828km) – Northbank green pilon 60m downstream of Brett’s Wharf Ferry Terminal
