Tall ships and more at the museum for Fleet Review this October

by Jude Timms on 24 Sep 2013

Royal Australian Navy’s International Fleet Review and Tall Ship Festival SW

Australia’s home of maritime heritage – the Australian National Maritime Museum – will be a not-to-be-missed destination for Sydney siders and tourists alike this October during the Royal Australian Navy’s International Fleet Review and Tall Ship Festival.

From third to tenth October 2013, the museum will play host to nine tall ships from around the globe including the Oosterschelde, Europa and Tecla from the Netherlands, the Lord Nelson from the UK and Picton Castle from Canada as well as Australia’s own tall ships Coral Trekker, Rainbow Gypsy, Lady Nelson and South Passage and the museum’s permanent residents, the HMB Endeavour replica and the James Craig.

On Thursday 3 October the museum’s magnificent Endeavour replica will be at the forefront of the parade as the tall ships as they enter Sydney Harbour. And on Sunday 6 and Monday 7 October visitors will have the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to get up close and personal with all the tall ships during the Tall Ship Open Days. Timed entry tickets to climb on board the tall ships start at $20 adult, $10 child, $15 concessions and $50 family and can be booked through Ticketek. For further information about the tall shps open days visit Australian National Maritime Museum website

For those who are keen to experience the International Fleet Review spectacle from on the water the museum is offering the unforgettable opportunity to sail on board HMB Endeavour during the festival. Limited spaces are available for day sails on Tuesday 8 and Wednesday 9 when Endeavour will sail past visiting Navy warships and submarines from all over the world including China, Russia, the UK and the USA. For further information and to book log onto Australian National Maritime Museum website

And for those who would love the opportunity to sail an 18th Century tall ship, HMB Endeavour will undertake a five day voyage immediately following the International Fleet Review. Sailing enthusiasts have the opportunity to join the ship in fare welling the visiting tall ships as they begin their race to Auckland on 10 October. Endeavour will then set sail to explore more of the NSW coast as Cook did over 250 years ago. For further information and to book log onto Australian National Maritime Museum website

Throughout the International Fleet Review the museum will be a hive of activity with entertainment provided by both Australian and visiting Navy Bands as well as sailing themed school holiday activities for children to enjoy. On the evening of Saturday 5 October the museum’s iconic roof will come to life as a venue for the Navy’s stunning projection show celebrating 100 years since Australia’s first naval fleet entered Sydney Harbour in 1913.

With a permanent exhibition dedicated to the Navy as well as an enviable fleet of ex-Navy vessels including the destroyer HMAS Vampire and the Oberon class submarine HMAS Onslow,the museum is the go-to place to learn about Australia’s Navy, and a one-stop shop for families and tall ship enthusiasts during the International Fleet Review.

For further information about the museum activities during the International Fleet Review visit Australian National Maritime Museum website or call 02 9298 3777.

Australian National Maritime Museum
International Fleet Review and Tall Ship Festival program