For the first time, Australia’s target archers and Para archers will share one national event. The National Target and Para Championships run in Hobart from 19 to 24 October 2026, bringing recurve, compound, barebow, and Para archers together on the same fields for a single week of competition.
The venue is the University of Tasmania’s Sandy Bay Campus, with Mount Wellington behind it and the Derwent River out front, hard to beat as a backdrop for a national championship.
A first for Australian Archery
The Target and Para Championships have always run separately, often months apart and in different states. This year they share a venue, a week, and a national format and prizes brought together for the first time. Archers can learn form and be inspired by each other as they all compete for national titles.
Access-friendly Hobart
Hobart offers many more activities for everyone attending the National and Para champs to experience together with a range of accessible activities in Hobart . The Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens has accessible paths throughout and a one-hour guided buggy tour. MONA is largely step-free, with a lift in the main building, accessible parking, and a level tunnel entry for ferry arrivals. Salamanca Market and the Hobart waterfront are set up for easy access, and Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary gives free entry to wheelchair users.
For time outdoors, the Russell Falls track at Mount Field National Park is wheelchair accessible, and TrailRider all-terrain wheelchairs can be booked ahead at several Tasmanian parks for the rougher tracks. No hire fee, just an induction and a helmet.
Getting around the city is just as easy. Metro Tasmania buses, the Red Decker and Mount Wellington Explorer Bus sightseeing services, and 13cabs taxis all run wheelchair-accessible vehicles. Wheelchair hire is available from the City of Hobart car park on Argyle Street (03 6238 2780), and the council’s city centre mobility map covers accessible parking, toilets, gradients and rest spots.
There’s support beyond the physical, too. An Australian Companion Card gets a carer free entry at many of Tasmania’s attractions. Blind and low vision visitors can use the free Vacayit app, which Discover Tasmania has partnered on for audio guides across the state. Accredited guide dogs and other assistance animals have full access rights to public places and transport under Tasmanian law.
Full details, including accessible accommodation and tour operators, are on Discover Tasmania’s accessible travel page.
Six days of competition
Competition runs Monday to Saturday. Monday brings official practice and the opening ceremony. Tuesday and Wednesday cover the 1440 and 900 ranking rounds. Thursday is 720 ranking rounds Friday is individual and mixed matchplay, with VI and Para matchplay running across the day on their own field. Saturday is gold medal day for every category.
The full day by day schedule is on the event page.
Open to Australia and the world
Registrations are open now, with international athletes welcome to enter alongside the Australian field through a separate registration link. Whether you’re chasing a national title, building ranking points, or lining up at a national event for the first time, October in Hobart is the one to be at.
Make a trip of it
Hobart is worth the extra days either side of competition. MONA, Salamanca Markets and Mount Wellington are all close to the venue, and there’s plenty more beyond the obvious three. The full rundown of where to go and what to see is in our guide to visiting Hobart for the championships.
Where to stay
Archery Australia has partnered with DoubleTree by Hilton Hobart for the championships. Athletes, coaches and supporters get 15 per cent off the best flexible rate, and the hotel has a range of fully accessible rooms. You can book your accommodation here.
Registration for Target and Para Nations closes on the 31st of August , so lock in entries and accommodation early.
