Plan ahead for Australia Day on Sydney Harbour

by NSW Maritime on 21 Jan 2009

172nd Australia Day Regatta - Ferrython - Australia Day on Sydney Harbour 2008 Andrea Francolini Photography http://www.afrancolini.com/

Australia Day Best Dressed Boat Award Winner © SW

Plan ahead to be part of the action on Sydney Harbour this Australia Day, with the full listing of event times, vantage points and safety tips.

It’s easy, free and fun to be part of the many events taking place on and around the water on 26 January 2009.

Enter the Best Dressed Vessel Competition.

Decorate your vessel and be part of the waves of colour out on Sydney Harbour as part of the Best Dressed Vessels Competition supported by Sydney Ports.

Best Dressed Vessel judges will be out on Sydney Harbour throughout the day. Give them the opportunity to get up close to see your decorated vessel in Farm Cove near the Royal Botanic Gardens between 12.30pm and 1.00pm; and at Athol Bay, near Bradley’s Head between 1.00pm and 1.30pm.

$500 cash will be awarded to the winners of the following first 4 categories:
Best Dressed Overall
Best Dressed Small boat (up to 6 metres)
Most Original Theme
Best Flag Display

Perpetual trophies will be awarded to:
Best Charter Boat
Best Working Boat

Visit www.australiaday.com.au for your chance to win one of 20 decorations packs for your vessel. The winners of the Best Dressed Vessel competition will be announced at the Sydney Ports Jazz on the Water concert in the evening.

Best vantage point: Farm Cove and Athol Bay.

11.00am 173rd Australia Day Regatta

This Short Ocean Race goes from Sydney Harbour to Botany Bay return conducted by CYCA on behalf of the Australia Day Regatta Inc, for the City of Sydney Sesqui Centenary Trophy.

Australia Day Fire Tug Shirley Smith doing her stuff © SW

11.00am AAMI Ferrython

Where else do four little old ladies get dressed up to the nines and enter a race watched by hundreds and thousands of people? There is simply no other event to compare to the legendary annual ferry race.

In 2009, the Ferrython will once again let loose those four sassy and spirited old gals, the much-cherished little green and yellow catamarans, to race up and down Sydney Harbour. And as always, they’ll be racing at full throttle in a battle for line honours and the coveted Lord Mayor’s Trophy.

Please note: there is a 50 metre exclusion zone around each competing ferry.

Best vantage point: Between the Sydney Harbour Bridge and Shark Island.

12.00pm 21 Gun Salute

To commemorate the federation of our nation, The Royal Australian Artillery will fire a 21 Gun Salute at midday from Fleet Steps North, The Domain (eastern side of the Royal Botanic Gardens).

1.00pm Search and Rescue Displays

See the Royal Australian Navy’s Dive Team in a Sea King Helicopter perform a series of search and rescue displays at Farm Cove at 1.00pm; and Athol Bay at 1.30pm.

1.15pm 173rd Australia Day Regatta

The 173rd Australia Day Regatta, the world’s oldest continuously conducted annual sailing Regatta, will take place throughout the afternoon, with events for all classes of yachts and 18ft skiffs, conducted by the Royal Sydney Yacht Squadron on behalf of the Australia Day Regatta Inc. Special events will be races for Classic Yachts and Historical 18ft Skiffs.

In addition to the main Harbour Regatta, a large fleet of ocean racing yachts will race to Botany Bay and return for the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia’s City of Sydney Sesquicentenary Trophy.

Australia Day Satellite Regattas will be held on the Parramatta and Lane Cove Rivers, at Manly and Rose Bay and on coastal waterways and lakes including Lake Macquarie, Brisbane Waters, Pittwater, Botany Bay, Broken Bay and Lake Illawarra. Placegetters in each event will receive a specially struck Australia Day Regatta Medallion.

2.00pm F/A-18 Hornet Flyover

Look up and catch the Royal Australian Air Force’s F/A-18 Hornets flyover Sydney Harbour. The Hornets can travel up to speeds of 2,000 km/h - so keep your eyes on the sky!

Best vantage point: Anywhere on the main harbour.

2.30pm Hawk 127 Flyover

Don’t miss the flyover Sydney Harbour by the Royal Australian Air Force’s Hawk 127s.

Australia Day on Sydney Harbour - photo Jennifer Soo © SW

Best vantage point: Anywhere on the main harbour.

3.00pm Red Berets Splash Into Circular Quay

Watch the Red Berets from the Army Parachute Training School splash into Circular Quay as they perform a parachute display.

Best vantage point: Circular Quay

3.00pm Tall Ships Race

Join the magnificent Tall Ships as they round out the day’s activities on the main harbour. Starting at Bradley’s Head, Svanen, James Craig and Bark Endeavour will lead the spectacular fleet of historic and charter vessels as they make their way to finish under the Bridge.

Please note: there is a 50 metre exclusion zone around each Tall Ship.

Best vantage point: Bradleys Head to the Bridge on the northern side of the Harbour.

4.00pm to 9.15pm Sydney Ports Jazz on the Water Concert

Watch the C130 as it flys over Sydney Harbour and over Johnstons Bay carrying the Australian flag.

Audiences both on and off shore will be able to chill out to the sublime sounds at the Sydney Ports Jazz on the Water concert from 4.00pm. Boaties are invited to drop anchor in Johnstons Bay from 3.00pm for a prime viewing spot.

Pack a picnic and enjoy the free concert where everyone can groove to the sounds of jazz from James Valentine, Carl Risely and Katie Noonan.

Best vantage point: Johnstons Bay

8.30pm Darling Harbour Australia Day Spectacular

The day’s celebrations wrap up with a spectacular show of light, sound and fireworks against the glittering backdrop of Cockle Bay. Make sure you get there early to secure front row seats to soak up the festive atmosphere.

Best vantage point: On Australia Day Cockle Bay is closed to private craft from 10am till 10pm and closed to all craft from 5pm. The best vantage points to view the fireworks are in Darling Harbour, outside the exclusion zones and out on the main channels near Goat Island.

Extra Advice for Spectators and Participants

Australia Day has lots of activities and opportunities for your vessel and crew to be involved in. Visit www.australiaday.com.au for ideas and tips on how to decorate your vessel and a chance to win a decoration pack for your vessel. Hurry - packs are limited!

When moving throughout the Harbour please observes the 6-knot 'no wash' speed limit.

Each event has special traffic coordination arrangements. Follow the advice of authorities.

Make sure everyone has a lifejacket.

It’s a long day on the water; be mindful of fatigue and sunburn and keep under the 0.05 alcohol limit.

Ensure you have appropriate working navigation lights particularly if you intend to watch the night-time events on Australia Day.

There are plenty of quiet spots where you can take a break, and relax from the days activities on the Harbour. Rest Spots: Berry’s Bay and Snails Bay to the west and Taylor’s Bay and Athol Bay to the east.

For details on accessing Sydney Harbour and Darling Harbour, http://www.flickr.com/photos/nswmaritime/3110710267/

Australia Day activities listing http://www.waterways.nsw.gov.au/wh/australia_day_2009.html

Australia Day Council of NSW
Ph: 02 9513 2000
E-mail: australiaday(at)dpc.nsw.gov.au
Website: www.australiaday.com.au

NSW Maritime Authority