Navy in Sydney Harbour Cruise, East – Friday 17th. October 2025

Members, partners, & friends.

Would you like to know more about Royal Australian Navy (RAN) activities and facilities in Sydney Harbour from 1788 to the present, especially during WW II?

You are invited to join the Naval Historical Society of Australia for a three-hour cruise east of the Harbour Bridge. The Society is a non-profit organization run by volunteers to preserve and honour our naval history.

A comprehensive commentary is provided supported by information and photos on TVs to bring the commentary to life. A complementary booklet with lots of information and photos is provided as a souvenir.

The sites you will see and learn about include: –

Dawes Point. The story of the observatory built by Lt William Dawes and the construction of the gun battery.

Sydney Cove. The story of Fort Macquarie and the Navy activities to protect ships and the colony after the arrival of the first fleet.

Garden Island. The first use of Garden Island as a garden and its later development. The construction of the Captain Cook Graving Dock was second largest project after the Snowy Mountain Scheme and larger than the construction of the Harbour bridge.  The story of the hammerhead crane and the role of HMAS KUTTABUL. The decision in 1987 to establish two Navy bases – Fleet Base East and Fleet Base West to cover both the Pacific and Indian oceans.

HMAS RUSHCUTTER. One of the oldest RAN shore bases, commissioned in 1920. A Naval Reserve training facility for anti-submarine warfare, diving, and radar.

Clark Island. The storage of gun barrels during WW II. The Japanese midget submarines were also brought here after they were salvaged.

Rose Bay. The story of HMAS TINGIRA that trained over 3,000 sailors from 1912 to 1927.

Watson’s Bay. HMAS WATSON the training centre for maritime warfare. Watson’s Bay was the home base for pilot boats and the lifeboat over the years.

Georges Head. The location of the western end of the anti-submarine boom net during WW II.

Chowder Bay. The base to protect the Harbour with mines during the 1880’s. Now a fuel installation for the RAN.

Bradley’s Head. Ships were degaussed here during WW II to protect them against magnetic mines. The story of our first battle and first victory involving HMAS SYDNEY I and the SMS EMDEN.

Neutral Bay – Sub Base Platypus. Home of the six OBERON class submarines for 30 years and the torpedo factory established during WW2. The current COLLINS class submarines are based at Garden Island off Rockingham in Western Australia.

Individual Bookings: – Book Here

Group Bookings (10 or more): -Contact the Cruise Coordinator

Email: – cruises@navyhistory.au or Phone: –  0451 218 336

Tour Information Departure Point:
King Street Wharf 3, Darling Harbour, Sydney NSW

INFORMATION

Cost:                          Members, partners, & friends – $80 per person. Groups of 10 or more $75

Cruise Date:           On the Booking screen -Select Cruise date from “Choose an option”.

Check-in Time:       09:30am.                  Boarding Time:       09:45am. for 10:00am. departure

End Time:                 between 12:30pm. – 1:00pm.

 Departure Point:  King Street Wharf 3, Darling Harbour, Sydney NSW.

Access: Ferry to Barangaroo or Train and walk from Wynyard or Town Hall Stations. Detailed information will be emailed to you approximately 1week prior to departure.

Ticket Cancellation Policy:

30 days or more – Full refund of ticket value.

30 -15 days – 75 % of ticket value.

14 – 7 days – 50% of ticket value.

Less than 7 days – no refund

Tour Co-ordinator Contact

Phone: Cruise Coordinator: – 0451 218 336 (Between the hours 0900 to 1500) 

E-mail: Cruise Coordinator: – cruises@navyhistory.au