Museum events

Summer at the museum

Sail into a world where imagination meets the sea at the Maritime Museum this summer, with exhibitions, vessels, creative workshops, performances, tours, trails and more. It’s a whole lot of fun for all members of the family! Members event: Speakers talk William Dawes – marine, astronomer, engineer 2–3.30 pm Friday 17 December

The voyage of the First Fleet from England to Botany Bay was more than a convenient way to rid Britain of its convicts. Join Richard de Grijs on the trail of William Dawes, astronomer, engineer, surveyor and ordnance officer – from his arrival in 1788 to beyond his death and up to the construction of the Sydney Harbour Bridge in 1932. Free for Members and one guest. Bookings essential; see opposite Sleuthing fun Murder mystery at sea 6 pm and 8 pm Fridays and Saturdays 14 January–5 February

Be part of an immersive experience on board the navy destroyer HMAS Vampire. A mysterious SOS: the captain and officers are dead – an encrypted message is sent. Intrigued? Join a crack team in the middle of the Pacific Ocean during the Cold War to help solve this murder mystery at sea. sea.museum/murder-mystery

Ginspiration Ladies with spirit 6 pm and 8 pm Fridays 17 December and 14, 21, 28 January

Are you a passionate consumer of craft spirits or want a ‘gintastic’ start to your weekend? Then enter the world of Ladies of Spirit to explore the talented women producing amazing gins across New South Wales. Historically, women were skilled in botany, fermenting and distilling for medicinal purposes and, without a doubt, for drinking too. So join us on board the docked Edwardian steam yacht Ena for a fabulous and fascinating delve into the world of gin! Harbour cruises Sail on Duyfken Visit website for sailing dates

Experience one of the rarest ships in the world while soaking up the sunset and sails on Sydney Harbour. Cruise past Barangaroo, Circular Quay, the Opera House, Garden Island and other famous sites around the harbour as you relax and enjoy a gourmet snack box and drinks while feeling the sea breeze, hearing stories of life on the ocean and watching the crew replicate 17th-century sailing. sea.museum/sail-duyfken

ANMM image Musical cruise Acoustic life of boatsheds 20–23 January

The waterways west of the Sydney Harbour Bridge provide the backdrop for a unique maritime experience. Board one of Sydney’s historic Rosman ferries – along with a company of musicians, sound artists, shipwrights and deckhands – and embark on a sonic expedition to the unsung places of our iconic working harbour. During a series of original performances inspired by its boatsheds, workshops and waterways, you’ll sink into the varying soundscapes of places shaped by time, tide and trade. sea.museum/boatsheds

Image courtesy Acoustic Boatsheds

Members event: Speakers talk Bass and Flinders 2–3.30 pm Friday 28 January

Find out about the backgrounds and legacy of these two famous Australian maritime explorers, their fates and their voyages of exploration in small boats around the coasts of New South Wales, Tasmania and Terra Australis. Museum speaker Ron Ray will be your presenter. Free for Members and one guest. Bookings essential; see right

Live performances New beginnings – Freedom sessions 21 January

Freedom Sessions feature performers from refugee, migrant and First Nations backgrounds. Each session comprises a live performance plus interviews and discussion led by Shyamla Eswaran. Featured artists include DJ Ayebatonye Abrakasa (Irregular Fit), hip-hop artist Barkaa and musician Bukhu. sea.museum/freedom-sessions

Image courtesy Luke Currie-Richardson Members event: Speakers talk Melbourne and Voyager anniversary event 2–3.30 pm Thursday 10 February

In February 1964 a collision between the Daring class destroyer HMAS Voyager and the aircraft carrier HMAS Melbourne resulted in the loss of 82 lives. How and why did the tragedy occur? Could it have been avoided and what happened to the people involved? Join us on the anniversary of the event to hear Gillian Lewis, from the museums Speakers Group, explain all. Free for Members and one guest. Bookings essential; see right

HMAS Melbourne’s damaged bow. Image Australian War Memorial NAVY15880

Members event: Author talk Christine Helliwell in conversation with Brendon Nelson 2–3.30 pm Friday 18 February

Semut – The untold story of a secret Australian operation in WWII Borneo is the new book by Christine Helliwell, Emeritus Professor at the Australian National University. It examines Z Special Unit’s Operation Semut, conducted in the final months of World War II. In this event, Christine will be in conversation with Brendan Nelson, former director of the Australian War Memorial. Free for Members and one guest. Bookings essential; see right To book Member events, you can either email memberevents@sea.museum and tell us which event you wish to attend, and who is coming. Alternatively, you can phone 02 9297 3777. For all other events, please see our website for further details and how to book.

All events are subject to NSW Covid-19 public health orders. For updates, please check our website sea.museum.

Kids and family programs Summer school holiday fun 20 December–27 January

Kids are born explorers, and our family programs and exhibitions are designed to stimulate learning! There’s something to discover every day for kids of all ages – from babies to teens. For carers with children 0–18 months Seaside Strollers Monthly sessions

An educator-led tour through new exhibitions, catered refreshments from our café and baby play time in a specially designed sensory space. Group booking options available Family workshops Underwater drones 11.30 am and 2.30 pm Wednesdays and Sundays 5–23 January (30-minute sessions)

Explore below the surface of the harbour with our underwater drones. Have fun testing your gaming skills by challenging family and friends to see who’s the best U-drone pilot. Underwater drone sessions include a private workshop with our ocean-science educators and access to amazing underwater footage highlights to keep and share.

For ages 2–5 years and carers Mini Mariners Tuesdays during term and one Saturday a month

A new theme every month. Theatrical tours, creative free play, craft and story time in our themed activity area. Access program Sensory-friendly Sundays Monthly sessions

Our new exhibitions and activity areas are open extra early and modified for a quieter experience to suit people on the autism spectrum and with a range of differing abilities. Youth workshop Claymation creations 12 and 13 January

Discover how to produce your own stop-motion digital and clay animations inspired by our exhibitions in this fun-filled one-day workshop. Explore summer exhibitions including Sea of Light and Wildlife Photographer of the Year for inspiration, and learn techniques in building fun and engaging visual narratives frame by frame. Finished works will also be showcased on our YouTube channel.

For ages 5–12 and carers Kids on Deck Sundays during term and daily during school holidays

Play, discover, create and get your hands dirty with printmaking, sculpture or painting. Then take home your crafts and treasure!

Visit sea.museum/kids for further details on all our family events and activities over summer. Immersive adventure Sea of Light Multiple sessions daily 26 December–30 January

This illuminating interactive installation from Patch Theatre brings together magic and light with a gentle soundscape to create a unique sea adventure for the whole family. Draw and stencil your own voyage in light as you traverse the sea with a UV torch as your paintbrush. Steer ships that leave glowing paths of light in their wake as you sail them across the sea floor. Then dive through bubbles below the surface to uncover glowing inflatables in hidden reef worlds. sea.museum/sea-of-light Youth workshop Photo pros 19 and 20 January

Take your photography skills to the next level in this one-day intensive course. Be inspired by the museum’s scenic surrounds as you go on outdoor photo shoots and master the art of shooting dark indoor spaces, moving subjects, macro photography and more. Learn to use manual modes on a digital SLR camera as well as photo editing skills. Have your finished work displayed in a special exhibition at the museum.