Sydney Classic & Wooden Boat Festival
by Shirani Aththas on 17 Jan 2008
Sydneys Classic and Wooden Boat Festival Australian National Maritime Museum
http://www.anmm.gov.au
All the fun of the fair at Sydney’s Classic and Wooden Boat Festival on the 8-9 March!
There will be boats, boats, boats… of all ages, shapes and sizes… and a non-stop program of lively maritime entertainment for all the family at this year’s Classic and Wooden Boat Festival in Sydney.
More than 12,000 visitors are expected to attend this bright harbourside celebration at the Australian National Maritime Museum on the weekend 8-9 March.
With Restoration as its theme, the festival will feature…
· Taipan, the revolutionary 18-foot skiff that the legendary designer Ben Lexcen conceived and built in 1959 – when he was just 23. Taipan has been beautifully restored by the National Maritime Museum with community funds subscribed for the project.
· HM Bark Endeavour, the replica of Captain Cook’s 18th century ship of discovery will be open for inspection… and specialist maritime tradesmen (shipwrights, riggers and sailmakers) will be working on one of its masts on the wharf. This is the first time a complete mast has been removed; experts will tell onlookers what’s happening and explain the historical background.
· Some 150 privately-owned heritage boats will be on display, from graceful yachts and streamlined speedboats to tugs and other workboats… many with their owners on board to talk about the history of their vessel, restoration, maintenance and the pure enjoyment of boating.
The festival will also include…
- Cruises on the harbour in heritage-listed vessels.
- A giant display of model boats in the Terrace Room… plus model yacht races.
- The hotly coveted Deckhand’s Line-throwing Competition.
- Traditional maritime craft demonstrations including rope-making, coopering, sail- making, timber steaming, ropework, blacksmithing and many more.
- The Society of Marine Artists will be at work capturing the colour of the event.
- Lots of kids activities PLUS food stalls PLUS loads of live entertainment
The National Maritime Museum at Darling Harbour will be open for its normal hours, 9.30 am to 5 pm, on the festival weekend. Tickets at $18 adults, $9 children, $40 families will give admission to the festival and discounted admission to the ships HMB Endeavour, tall ship James Craig, destroyer HMAS Vampire and submarine HMAS Onslow.
Information, (02) 9298 3777 or www.anmm.gov.au
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