On this day – 10 February 1941
After returning from service in the Mediterranean, the cruiser HMAS Sydney (D48) is photographed moored off Sydney Cove, with crew members at their stations preparing for the arrival of dignitaries.
Samuel J Hood Studio ON 00020342
#OnThisDay #NAVY125 #SeaMuseum
Celebrate ocean science, stories and solutions at the Ocean Lovers Festival this March 🌊
We’re proud to partner with the festival with two speakers from the Museum joining the program.
📅 Sat 21 March 10am - 4pm
www.oceanloversfestival.com/ocean-lovers-talks?
Image; Daniel Kukec
📢MMAPSS applications are OPEN!
Grants of up to $15k for projects + $3k for professional development are available to support conservation, collections, exhibitions, and education.
Apply now: https://www.sea.museum/en/about/grants-and-awards/mmapss
Image: “Old Tom” at the Eden Killer Whale Museum
Behind the Scenes: Shaped by the Sea 🌊
Our conservation and preps team have completed the careful changeover of Contemporary Madarrpa (1998) by Djambawa Marawili.
This striking bark painting depicts fishing life at Baniyala.
www.sea.museum/en/whats-on/exhibitions/shaped-by-the-sea
EVENT | HMAS Melbourne & HMAS Voyager Disaster Talk
Join us for a powerful and moving talk.
Thurs 26 Feb, 2–3:30 pm
Tix: $10
Get your tickets: www.eventbrite.com.au/e/speakers-talk-the-hmas-melbourne-and-hmas-voyager-disaster-tickets-1977580375137?
SUNDAY READ 🏊♀️ In Underbool, a tiny outback town where summer temperatures regularly top 45°C, the local swimming pool is not a luxury. It is survival.
Read the full story in today’s Sunday Read: https://loom.ly/4yBcw8c
Don’t let this opportunity sail by! The CSIRO Marine National Facility (MNF) invites Australian researchers to apply for sea time on RV Investigator in 2028-29 via their Primary Application Call.
Don’t miss the boat. The application period closes on 19 May 2026.
Get onboard at www.csiro.au/mnf
Happy Lunar New Year and welcome to the Year of the Horse🐎
To celebrate, we searched the collection for horse connections across land and sea.
Explore the collection: https://collections.sea.museum/collections
Synchronised… whales? 🐋🐋
This image by Yuka Takahashi captures a rare moment of perfect timing as two humpback whales move together in sync. Photographed while snorkelling off Mo’orea (French Polynesia).
www.sea.museum/ocean-photographer
🐉🌕 Lunar Sea Festival
Celebrate the Year of the Horse with a full day of cultural performances and family friendly activities. Enjoy dragon performances, music and dance, plus hands on activities for all ages.
📅 Sunday 22 February, 10am–4pm
🎟️ Free entry
https://loom.ly/NOg2rp8
Duyfken Update ⚓
The team have been busy completing important milestones with the apron being lowered into place at the bow, oiling the timber and applying antifouling paint to protect the hull.
We’ll continue to keep you updated as this fascinating project unfolds!
Meet Joy Paola, a third-year student at UNSW studying Marine Science.
She helped analyse over 2,900 “Dear Prime Minister” cards from the Ocean Photographer of the Year exhibit, revealing what Australians want most for our oceans: https://www.sea.museum/en/ocean-futures/dear-prime-minister
The Winter Olympics celebrate sport on ice, these 1930s skate speak to the migrant experience
Packed by 13year old Rob Davids when he left Holland for Australia in 1952, the skate travelled across oceans as a reminder of home, grandparents and a life shaped by winter.
Ice skates 1930s 00046060
Congratulations to Captain Marty and Lisa Woods of Sydney Harbour Tall Ships on the inclusion of Søren Larsen and Southern Swan in the Australian Register of Historic Vessels.
👉 Explore the Australian Register of Historic Vessels here: https://arhv.sea.museum/collections
The Fishing Families of Western Australia website shares the histories of generations of fishing families who made their way from Europe, the Pacific, Asia and the Americas and helped build coastal communities.
👉 Discover the Basile family story
https://www.flatsea.org/families/basile-family
⚓✨ What’s On February: Talks, music & family fun
February is full of great reasons to visit the Maritime Museum. From lively sea shanties and special performances to author talks, thought-provoking conversations and hands-on programs for families.
www.sea.museum/en/whats-on
What's on this week?
It’s the final week of NSW school holidays and your last chance to unwind in our Beach chill-space. There’s plenty happening across the Museum with activities for all ages.
Make the most of the last week of the holidays.
👉 www.sea.museum/en/whats-on
🎧 Sunday Listen
What does it take to design a floating city?
Listen to Anthony Burke’s By Design on ABC Radio National, exploring the secrets of cruise ship design features Inger Sheil from the Museum.
https://loom.ly/V8Py4KA
Image: 'Jack' Tyrrell Richardson.
ANMS1125[001] - ANMS1125[308]
🌊 Last chance to visit the Beach!
Our all-ages play-and-chill-scape is open for its final week.
🎪 This Sunday 25 January catch Sync or Swim a 30-minute circus and physical theatre show by Beeswax & Bottlecaps.
🕰 12:30pm & 2pm
🎟 Ticketed entry
www.sea.museum/en/whats-on/events/the-beach
Have you taken a dip at these locations?
We’re excited to invite you to Special Event: Why Aussies Love Swimming a panel talk with authors Therese Spruhan and Chris Baker.
Sat 24 Jan, 2 – 4pm
www.eventbrite.com.au/e/special-event-why-aussies-love-swimming-tickets-1977480931699?
Front-row seats to the Ferrython and Tall Ships Race? Yes please!
Join our harbour with front-row views of one of the harbour’s most iconic maritime events.
Mon 26 Jan 10:30am–3pm
$149 - $120
www.eventbrite.com.au/e/australia-day-cruise-on-sydney-harbour-2026-tickets-1975723087941?
#SeaMuseum
On 22 January, the Museum will observe the National Day of Mourning.
The Cape Bowling Green Lighthouse will be lit from sundown until midnight and flags flown at half-mast as we pause to remember, stand together and affirm that light will triumph over darkness.
#SeaMuseum
🌊 The Beach, after dark – LATES! 🌙
For one night only, the Museum turns into a summer playground after hours!
Catch live performances and DJ sets as the Lighthouse Gallery transforms into the Copacabana Club.
📆Thurs 29 Jan 6 -9pm
🎟️ Don’t miss it: www.sea.museum/beach-ball
#SeaMuseum #LATES
Sunday Read
Dive into the 117-year legacy of iconic boatbuilder Norman R Wrights & Sons. From surviving the Great Depression to pioneering cutting edge marine technology, it’s a family story of craftsmanship, resilience and life on the water.
📖 www.sea.museum/en/society-and-water/norman-r-wright
Why do Aussies love swimming so much?
Join us for a special panel event as authors Therese Spruhan and Chris Baker.
Sat 24 Jan, 2 to 4pm
$10 | Free for
www.eventbrite.com.au/e/special-event-why-aussies-love-swimming-tickets-1977480931699?
Dr James Hunter, recently travelled to Aotearoa NZ to collaborate with underwater archaeologist Bridget Buxton and members of the NZ Underwater Heritage Group as part of their First Encounters Project.
Images: Nicole Miller/NZUHG & James Hunter
This summer, 15 vessels by Norman R. Wright & Sons will arrive at the Australian National Maritime Museum giving you a rare chance to see over a century of Australian boatbuilding on the water and up close.
16–20 Jan 2026
Free entry
www.sea.museum/en/whats-on/events/norman-r-wright
🥵 Hot day? Let’s cool things down.
While the temperature climbs, these gentoo penguins are slicing through icy Antarctic waters. Clumsy on land, but absolute pros in the ocean.
Need a cool break? Dive into the Ocean Photographer of the Year.
📸 Antarctica by Romain Barats
🔥 Too hot for the playground? We’ve got you covered.
Our hands-on museum spaces are made for little bodies with big energy - safe places to run, touch, splash, explore and learn without the sunburn.
❄️ Fully air-conditioned. Kid-approved.
www.sea.museum/en/whats-on/events/summer-school-holidays
✏️ Beach Bods | Life Drawing
This summer, Gladdy Drawing Club presents Beach Bods a life-drawing session set inside The Beach, the museum’s summer exhibition and playscape.
Wednesday 7 & 14 January, 11am–12pm
FREE
www.eventbrite.com.au/e/beach-bods-life-drawing-tickets-1977344617981?
