Length: 12.0m, Beam: 3m, Draught: 1.5m
Engine: Gardiner 5LW diesel
Construction: Carvel planked with Kauri timber
Owner:Mark Caulfield, Mt. Martha, Vic.
Miss Australia was custom built by boatbuilder Fred Hughes from Gardenvale in 1954 at the request of Bernard Dowd from Mt. Martha, Victoria. Bernard Dowd owned a ladies undergarment business called Hickory and became the major sponsor for the Miss Australia beauty quest during the fifties and early 60's. It is said that the boat was built to be the first prize for the winner of the quest in 1954? however this has not been confirmed. It is also said that the boat was built to be a marketing vehicle for the quest and that Queen Elizabeth travelled on Miss Australia to get from the Yarra River in Melbourne to her Royal yacht in Hobsons Bay during her Coronation visit to Australia in 1954.