Australian National Maritime Museum

Australian National Maritime Museum The Australian National Maritime Museum is Australia’s national centre for maritime collections, exhibitions, research and archaeology.
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Australia's National Maritime Museum located on Gadigal Country, Sydney 🐳 We share stories of the sea and waterways | FREE ENTRY

We encourage respectful and relevant discussions and have a zero-tolerance policy on discrimination or bullying. The museum presents a changing program of stimulating exhibitions and events to share Australia’s maritime history and connect the stories, objects, people a

nd places that are part of our country’s narrative. Visit us online:
www.sea.museum

Stay in the know and subscribe to our newsletter:
http://eepurl.com/bfes-z

View our Social Media Community Guidelines:
https://www.sea.museum/community-guidelines

04/06/2026

🪢 How to make a rope grommet! ☝️

​To a modern sailor, a "grommet" is a metal eyelet. But to the Endeavour rigging crew, it’s a brilliant piece of traditional seamanship: a seamless, incredibly strong rope ring made from just a single strand.

​Watch the reel to see the crew walk through the steps, then grab some rope and try it yourself!

​🤔 Why are grommets so handy?

​Because a grommet is re-woven into itself, it has no weak splice points. On a traditional tall ship, they are absolute workhorses used for:

​Block strops: Holding wooden pulleys securely in place.

​Sail eyes: Taking the intense strain of the wind in the corners of sails.

​Rigging rings: Creating flexible, heavy-duty connection points.

​Play along at home! Give it a go and send us a photo or video of your finished grommet—we’d love to see how you do! 📸👇

​

03/06/2026

The secret behind the Viking Age? It all comes down to boat design. 📐⚓

Step into Treasures of the Viking Age: The Galloway Hoard and you’ll find this incredible, life-sized boat prow. But it’s not just set dressing!

As visiting curator Dr Adrián Maldonado explains, this is a brand-new, high-tech 3D printed replica built right here by our museum team. It’s based on high-resolution scans of an authentic 1,100-year-old oak boat stem discovered on the Scottish island of Eigg, the most complete fragment of a Viking boat ever found in Britain!

👑 Exhibition is now open!
https://www.sea.museum/galloway-hoard

Produced by National Museums Scotland

HMAS Sydney hosted a film crew to capture life in the Navy from the perspective of ship's company.🎥The videos and photo...
03/06/2026

HMAS Sydney hosted a film crew to capture life in the Navy from the perspective of ship's company.🎥

The videos and photos will feature in a new exhibition at the Australian National Maritime Museum later this year.

We can't wait to see it and share our stories! ⚓

79 years of naval aviation in Australia. ⚓️✈️On this day in 1947, the Australian Government officially approved the acqu...
03/06/2026

79 years of naval aviation in Australia. ⚓️✈️

On this day in 1947, the Australian Government officially approved the acquisition of two aircraft carriers, marking the birth of the modern Royal Australia Navy Fleet Air Arm (FAA).

Born from the lessons of the Pacific War, this decision led to the purchase of two Majestic-class light fleet carriers, renamed HMAS Sydney (III) and HMAS Melbourne (II) and the base establishment of HMAS Albatross at Nowra.

To celebrate this anniversary, we’re looking back through the eyes of someone who lived it. These images come from a photographic album compiled by Petty Officer Harry Owen Hamment, an Engine Room Artificer who served on HMAS Sydney (III).

His collection captures life on the RAN’s flagship during its service in Korean waters (1953–1954), from the traditional "Crossing of the Line" ceremonies to postcards collected during port visits in Singapore, Hong Kong, and Japan.

Today, the FAA continues to be a cornerstone of aviation for the Royal Australian Navy, evolving from those early carrier groups to the advanced crewed and remotely piloted aircraft of today.

Swipe to explore:
1️⃣ Hawker Sea Fury taxiing after landing, 1949 (ANMS1337[053])
2️⃣ Sea Fury and Fairey Firefly formation flight, 1949 (ANMS1337[050])
3️⃣ Fairey Firefly taxiing to the catapult, 1954 (ANMS1337[051])
4️⃣ A dramatic deck-landing crash of a Fairey Firefly, 1954 (ANMS1337[054])

This Mabo Day, we are honoured to launch Pearling Elders, a powerful new exhibition celebrating the Zenadth Kes (Torres ...
02/06/2026

This Mabo Day, we are honoured to launch Pearling Elders, a powerful new exhibition celebrating the Zenadth Kes (Torres Strait) maritime workers who shaped Australia’s history.

Coinciding with the 90th anniversary of the 1936 maritime strike, this series of black-and-white portraits by acclaimed photographer Wayne Quilliam, alongside recorded oral histories, brings First Nations voices to the forefront.

In 1936, Islander maritime workers took a stand, refusing to crew the "Lugger Borts" to demand fairer conditions and local control. It was a defining moment of political action that laid the groundwork for future reforms.

Through the "Lugger Bort" project, led by curator Nerelle Nicol, we celebrate the quiet determination of Elders Jeffrey Bob, Jimmy Morrison, George Mosby and Albert Ware. Their skill, risk and resilience at sea are no longer untold, they are now a permanent part of the National Maritime Collection.

⚓️ Pearling Elders
🗓 Opens today 3 June (Mabo Day)
🎟 FREE entry
https://www.sea.museum/en/whats-on/exhibitions/pearling-elders

Is the demise of the Great Barrier Reef a foregone conclusion? 🪸 Too often, the story of our oceans is told through a le...
02/06/2026

Is the demise of the Great Barrier Reef a foregone conclusion? 🪸

Too often, the story of our oceans is told through a lens of inevitable loss. But does this narrative limit our imagination of what comes next? Australian National Maritime Museum, in partnership with the Rolex Perpetual Planet Initiative, invites you to Beyond the Bleach—a panel discussion designed to bridge the gap between scientific reality and radical hope.

The Lineup:
🔬 Rolex Laureate A/Prof Emma Camp
🪸 Coral Ecologist Dr. Ben Fitzpatrick
🎙️ Media host Adam Spencer
🎨 Torres Strait Islander artist Brian Robinson
🎤 Hosted by our own Head of Knowledge, Emily Jateff
Presented in partnership with ROLEX and its Perpetual Planet initiative.

📅 Wednesday 10 June | 6–9pm
🎟️ Tickets include after-hours gallery access + entry to the Sea Citizens After Party.
🔗 www.sea.museum/en/whats-on/events/big-blue-ideas

Vivid Sydney plans tomorrow night? Sorted. 🌌Join us Tuesday 2 June (6 PM - 8 PM) for Sea Gathering: Myth & Modernity—a f...
01/06/2026

Vivid Sydney plans tomorrow night? Sorted. 🌌

Join us Tuesday 2 June (6 PM - 8 PM) for Sea Gathering: Myth & Modernity—a free, luminous night festival of light, sound and connection inspired by Torres Strait traditions.

Catch a very special performance at 6:45 PM by Kee’ahn, a Kuku Yalanji, Jirrbal and Torres Strait Islander artist delivering lush soul/R&B melodies and stories of healing.

Explore First Nations exhibitions after dark, enjoy native-ingredient dining, and see the museum become a living canvas.

🎟 FREE entry | Tuesday 2 June, 6pm–8pm
https://www.sea.museum/en/whats-on/events/vivid-sydney

Murder, mayhem, and a ship that refused to sink. ⚓️Join us this Wednesday for a deep dive into the incredible—and at tim...
01/06/2026

Murder, mayhem, and a ship that refused to sink. ⚓️

Join us this Wednesday for a deep dive into the incredible—and at times controversial—history of HMAS Australia (II). Known affectionately as 'the Aussie', this flagship saw more than her fair share of history, from the Atlantic to the Pacific.

Volunteer Speaker Kez Hasanic will reveal the stories that defined her:
🔹 The 1930s controversies that surrounded her early years.
🔹 The dark mystery of a wartime murder on board.
🔹 Her pivotal role in the Battle of the Coral Sea.
🔹 The relentless Kamikaze attacks she survived against all odds.

Come and hear why this vessel won the undying admiration of her crew and our US allies alike.

🗓 When: Wednesday 3 June, 2:00 PM – 3:30 PM
📍 Where: Australian National Maritime Museum
🎟 Tickets: $10 (FREE for Museum Members)

www.eventbrite.com.au/e/navy125-speakers-talk-hmas-australia-ii-tickets-1989445135956?

Today marks the anniversary of the 1 June 1942 submarine attack on Sydney Harbour. This was a pivotal moment in Australi...
01/06/2026

Today marks the anniversary of the 1 June 1942 submarine attack on Sydney Harbour. This was a pivotal moment in Australia’s home-front history during WWII.

The sinking of the depot ship HMAS Kuttabul resulted in the tragic loss of 21 Allied sailors. Yet, amidst the immediate shock and grief of the attack, a remarkable moment of shared humanity occurred just two days later. On 3 June, a joint burial service was held with full military honours for both the Allied naval men and the four Japanese crew members recovered from the midget submarines.

As a Maritime Museum, our role is not only to preserve the physical remnants of naval history, but to explore the complex, deeply human stories behind them.

Our current exhibition, Secret Strike - War on our Shores, brings these narratives to light through powerful primary objects on loan from the Royal Australian Navy Heritage Collection, including the stern of the M22 submarine and Kuttabul’s voice pipes.

We honour the memory of those lost on the harbour 84 years ago today.

https://www.sea.museum/en/whats-on/exhibitions/secret-strike-war-on-our-shores

Image: HMAS Kuttabul sitting on the bottom at Garden Island, Australian War Memorial collection, 042975.

Every ship needs a good lookout, but this sailor didn’t walk on two legs.Ship’s cats have sailed with humans for thousan...
31/05/2026

Every ship needs a good lookout, but this sailor didn’t walk on two legs.

Ship’s cats have sailed with humans for thousands of years, serving as both pest controllers and as sources of morale and luck. You may know Matthew Flinders’ cat, Trim; Unsinkable Sam, who survived three WWII sinkings; or Mrs Chippy from Shackleton’s Antarctic expedition. But have you heard of Mr ###X?

Pronounced Four-X, like the beer, Mr ###X was the ship’s cat on HMAS Castlemaine, a WWII Bathurst-class corvette. The ship mainly operated in the New Guinea area, the Indian Ocean, and the China Sea, transporting troops and supplies, conducting minesweeping, and carrying out surveys.

The story goes that, because the ship sailed in tropical waters, flying fish were abundant. Mr ###X seemed to sense their presence long before the crew did. He would sit in a doorway, whiskers quivering in anticipation, and, when a fish landed on deck, pounce with lightning speed before carrying his prize to a secret spot. No one ever figured out where.

Today, HMAS Castlemaine is listed on the ARHV under HV000421, and remains afloat in Williamstown, VIC. Through the Maritime Trust of Australia, HMAS Castlemaine received funding in the 2025–26 round of MMAPSS grants to repair the deck plating. Now, as the last intact corvette of its class, a volunteer team continues to preserve the vessel in honour of all the people (and their furry companions) who served on the original sixty corvettes. Visitors can step aboard and walk in the shoes, or perhaps

follow in the pawprints, of the original crew. I’m sure Mr ###X, with whiskers waving and tail aloft, would approve. 👇https://arhv.sea.museum/collections

Image courtesy of Maritime Trust of Australia. Photographed by Ken Fenton, WWII crew member of HMAS Castlemaine.

What's on in June!Winter has arrived and our new exhibitions are officially open: Treasures of the Viking Age: The Gallo...
30/05/2026

What's on in June!

Winter has arrived and our new exhibitions are officially open: Treasures of the Viking Age: The Galloway Hoard, Pearling Elders and SEA KIN.

Our events kick off with Sea Gathering: Myth & Modernity this Tuesday (Free, almost full) and a NAVY125 talk on HMAS Australia II this Wednesday (From $10).

On Saturday 6 June, join our Inside the Maritime Collection tours at 10:30 AM (From $35) or The Cats of Australia book launch at 2:00 PM (Free, almost full).

Later this month, don't miss Beyond the Bleach on Wednesday 10 June (Selling fast), Fever, Filth, and the Surgeon’s Scalpel on Thursday 18 June, and our Sensory-Friendly Days on Sunday 21 June.

We wrap up June on Saturday 27 with a free Challenging ANZAC talk at 11:00 AM, followed by a deep-dive into the HMB Endeavour wreck search at 2:00 PM. Tickets are also open for a special Sasanian Treasure talk on Saturday 11 July.

Spaces are limited head to our website to secure your spots!

www.sea.museum/en/whats-on

29/05/2026

Did you know Endeavour requires 30km of custom, handmade rope to keep her sailing? 🤯💨

Every 15 years, this world-renowned replica undergoes a complete re-rigging to withstand the immense forces of the sea. It's a massive, coordinated effort across two cities to preserve a living piece of history.

As a non-profit, we can't do this vital work without you. Your End of Financial Year gift ensures we can continue to care for our heritage and inspire future generations.

Where will you direct your impact?
🧵 Endeavour Rigging – Keep our historic fleet shipshape.

🔗 Make your tax-deductible EOFY donation today https://www.sea.museum/eofy

Curator-Led Tours: Treasures of the Viking Age: The Galloway Hoard 🦅🌊Enhance your exhibition experience this weekend wit...
29/05/2026

Curator-Led Tours: Treasures of the Viking Age: The Galloway Hoard 🦅🌊

Enhance your exhibition experience this weekend with a guided tour led by Dr Adrián Maldonado, Project Curator for the Galloway Hoard at National Museums Scotland.

Dr Maldonado will share his deep expertise on this extraordinary find, revealing how it was unearthed, the rare global heirlooms within it and the cutting-edge research shedding new light on the Viking Age.

Tour Schedule:
Saturday 30 May: 11:30am | 12:15pm | 1pm
Sunday 31 May: 12pm | 12:45pm | 1:30pm

Tours run for approximately 30 minutes and are included with any paid exhibition ticket. No booking required.

👉 Plan your weekend visit and book online now: www.sea.museum/galloway-hoard

Watch a master shipwright at work. 🪓✨Gary is currently repairing the boom end for the historic pearling lugger John Loui...
29/05/2026

Watch a master shipwright at work. 🪓✨

Gary is currently repairing the boom end for the historic pearling lugger John Louis using a traditional technique called a 'clothes peg' scarf joint.

Because a boat's rigging is under constant tension and stress, a normal wood joint won't hold. This interlocking "hooked" design mechanically locks the two timbers together so they can't slide apart under pressure. It takes incredible precision to get a perfectly flush, watertight fit.

Drop a comment to show some love for the traditional trades keeping maritime history alive! 👇⛵

We are absolutely thrilled to congratulate Yolŋu leader, artist, and cultural elder Djambawa Marawili AM on receiving th...
28/05/2026

We are absolutely thrilled to congratulate Yolŋu leader, artist, and cultural elder Djambawa Marawili AM on receiving the prestigious The prestigious Red Ochre Award for Lifetime Achievement in Cultural Advocacy and Leadership at the Creative Australia First Nations Arts and Culture Awards!

As a vital voice for Indigenous Sea rights and a master of Yolŋu bark painting and sculpture, Djambawa’s impact on the Australian cultural landscape is immeasurable.

His work beautifully bridges the gap between traditional ancestral knowledge and contemporary art, powerfully asserting the connection between his people and the sea.

We have been deeply privileged to share his powerful storytelling and art with our visitors over the years. This recognition is a testament to his lifelong dedication to culture, country, and the arts.

Please join us in celebrating this incredible milestone!

Come visit his new work ‘Spirit of Sea Country’ on display as a Gift to the Royal Australian Navy for their 125th anniversary celebrations in Navy 125 exhibition.

https://www.sea.museum/en/first-nations/the-spirit-of-sea-rights

Image: Djambawa viewing his work, 2026. Photo: Matt Poll.

NOW OPEN: Treasures of the Viking Age: The Galloway Hoard 👑🦅Step into early medieval Scotland and uncover a 1,100-year-o...
27/05/2026

NOW OPEN: Treasures of the Viking Age: The Galloway Hoard 👑🦅

Step into early medieval Scotland and uncover a 1,100-year-old mystery. Discovered in 2014, the Galloway Hoard brings together over 5kg of gold, silver, and rare heirlooms connecting Scotland to mainland Europe and Central Asia.

We kicked things off with an exclusive preview tour for our museum members, guided by the incredible Dr Adrián Maldonado from National Museums Scotland.

🎟️ WANT THE INSIDE STORY?
Join us this Friday 29 May (11 AM - 12 PM) for an exclusive curator talk: Island of the Vikings – The Galloway Hoard.

Dr Maldonado will reveal the fascinating history of Scandinavian shipbuilding and the story behind the exhibition's star entrance feature: a new, cutting-edge 3D-printed replica boat stem created by the museum, based on high-resolution scans of an authentic Viking-age oak boat discovered on the Scottish island of Eigg. 🚣‍♂️📐

Don't miss your chance to see this world-renowned find and hear directly from the expert right here in Sydney. FREE.

https://www.sea.museum/galloway-hoard

Produced by National Museums Scotland

27/05/2026

Vivid Sydney, but make it crowd-free and on the water. 🚣‍♂️✨

A little photo dump from the Vivid Moonlight Sea Kayaking Experience with Sydney Harbour Kayaks - Sydney Australia.🌕 Look at those views of Darling Harbour from the waterline!

If you want to experience the festival without the packed shorelines, this 90-minute night-time paddle is exactly how to do it. It starts and finishes right here at the museum!

📅 Running every night until Saturday 13 June
⏱️ Sessions at 6PM and 8:30 PM
🎟️ Adults: $135 | Children (under 16): $69

Spaces are strictly limited and these sessions sell out fast every year.

🔗 www.sea.museum/en/whats-on/events/vivid-sydney

New sign, old methods 🧵and rainy days Our volunteer sewing circle teamed up last week to make a new sign for the Duyfken...
27/05/2026

New sign, old methods 🧵and rainy days

Our volunteer sewing circle teamed up last week to make a new sign for the Duyfken stairs.

No sewing machines here—this was entirely hand-done using a palm, needle, awl and thread coated in a traditional beeswax and tar mix. Beautiful work, team! 🙌

⚓️ WE NEED YOUR HELP! HMAS Vampire turns 70 this year! Our curators are digging through the archives and found this phot...
26/05/2026

⚓️ WE NEED YOUR HELP!

HMAS Vampire turns 70 this year! Our curators are digging through the archives and found this photo of a gorgeous lab pup onboard.

The catch? We have zero details. Who is this dog? When was this taken? Help us solve the mystery in the replies! 👇

Installed! 📸✨ We are incredibly proud to have Guruwarra – The La Perouse Possum Skin Cloak now on display.Co-created thr...
26/05/2026

Installed! 📸✨ We are incredibly proud to have Guruwarra – The La Perouse Possum Skin Cloak now on display.

Co-created through community workshops to reclaim traditional cloak-making practices, this contemporary masterpiece maps the collected histories, stories, and designs of the Bidjigal, Dharawal, and Yuin people of La Perouse.

Every detail stitched into the skins holds deep significance:
🗺️ The Map: Traces a path from the Georges and Cooks Rivers into Botany Bay and out to the open ocean.
🐟 The Mullet Run: Depicts a cultural fishing practice continued for thousands of years.
🐋 Burri Burri: Honouring the humpback whale in the local Dharawal language.
🐚 Shells & Plants: Celebrating traditional medicine, gadi trees and historic La Perouse shell craft.

As First Nations Curator Dakota Dixon shares: “Together, these elements hold knowledge, identity and connection to Country.”

Originally commissioned by Artspace Sydney, the cloak is proudly owned by members of the La Perouse Aboriginal Community, kept accessible to the community in perpetuity.

Come visit the museum to experience this powerful testament to shared memory and survival in person.
🖤💛❤️

🎟️ Tickets are running out fast for the Members Vivid Sydney Cruise this Thursday 28 May!Treat yourself to a stress-free...
25/05/2026

🎟️ Tickets are running out fast for the Members Vivid Sydney Cruise this Thursday 28 May!

Treat yourself to a stress-free, crowd-free 2-hour cruise aboard the MV Eclipse with delicious canapés, refreshments and unmatched panoramic views of the harbor lights. 🥂✨

Get the ultimate view of the museum's spectacular rooftop projections (Cosmic Chase) and waterfront LED sculptures (Floating Realm) by artist Brian Robinson.

⏰ Registration: 6PM | Departure: 6:30 PM And you don't have to be a member to come along!
👉 Sales end soon!www.eventbrite.com.au/e/members-vivid-sydney-cruise-tickets-1981808413313?

You can help protect dolphins into the future 🐬Register to volunteer for the first ever state-wide NSW Dolphin Census on...
25/05/2026

You can help protect dolphins into the future 🐬Register to volunteer for the first ever state-wide NSW Dolphin Census on Saturday 30 May 2026.

Your recorded sightings will help create a vital snapshot of dolphin hotspots and key habitats along our coast. This citizen science data allows Dolphin Research Australia and NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service parks to fill critical knowledge gaps and support long-term conservation efforts as part of the NSW Marine Estate Management Strategy.

🙌 Anyone can get involved! Just remember, you must complete the online training session to take part on the day.

Get trained and ready for the census by signing up here:
🔗 https://www.dolphinresearchaustralia.org/dolphin-census/new-south-wales/

25/05/2026

Supporting Australia’s Maritime Legacy 🛠️🇦🇺

The steam tug Yelta, operated by the South Australian Maritime Museum, is a significant example of historic vessel preservation in action.

Built in 1949, the vessel represents a vital era of Port Adelaide's working waterfront. To support its ongoing maintenance and operation, the Australian National Maritime Museum provided funding to the project through the 2024 Maritime Museums of Australia Project Support Scheme (MMAPSS) grant round.

Collaborations like MMAPSS help safeguard these complex engineering icons, ensuring our shared maritime history remains accessible to the public.

🐱⚓️ From ship’s cats to couch cuddlers, Australia’s relationship with felines is... complicated.Join Jodie Stewart, Aust...
24/05/2026

🐱⚓️ From ship’s cats to couch cuddlers, Australia’s relationship with felines is... complicated.

Join Jodie Stewart, Australia’s first cat historian at the museum for the official launch of The Cats of Australia. Discover the funny, fascinating and fur-filled history of how cats have shaped our country since sailing to our shores on the First Fleet—from enduring the trenches of WWI to sparking fierce debates about native wildlife.

🎟️ Tickets are FREE but spots are strictly limited and filling up fast!

📅 Saturday 6 June 2026, 2PM – 3:30PM
📍 The Theatre, Australian National Maritime Museum

Secure your seat now via Eventbrite or head to our website to book! www.eventbrite.com.au/e/book-launch-the-cats-of-australia-tickets-1987890557169?

24/05/2026

OPENING THIS THURSDAY: The Galloway Hoard!

Travel back in time to early medieval Scotland and discover unique and mysterious Viking-age treasures.

Buried around AD 900, and found in 2014 by metal detectorists, the Galloway Hoard contains over 5 kilograms of silver, gold and other materials. It brings together a stunning variety of rare objects and ancient heirlooms from the early medieval kingdoms of Britain and Ireland, mainland Europe, and as far away as Central Asia.

Drop a 🔥 if you're coming!

📅 OPENING WEEK:
Thursday 28 May: FREE Teacher Preview (5pm) 📚
Friday 29 May: FREE Curator Talk with Dr. Adrián Maldonado (11am) 🚢
🎟️ Members go FREE. Tickets from $25.

Tap the link in our bio to book your opening week tickets now! https://www.sea.museum/galloway-hoard

Produced by National Museums Scotland

Address

2 Murray Street, Darling Harbour
Sydney, NSW
2000

Opening Hours

Monday 10am - 4pm
Tuesday 10am - 4pm
Wednesday 10am - 4pm
Thursday 10am - 4pm
Friday 10am - 4pm
Saturday 10am - 4pm
Sunday 10am - 4pm

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