Navy in Sydney Harbour Cruise, East – 30 March 2023

Frequency: Thursday 39th. March 2023

This cruise provides an opportunity to learn more about a selection of the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) activities and facilities in Sydney Harbour.

The places you will see and learn about include;

Dawe’s 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.

HMAS RUSHCUTTER. A Naval Reserve training facility for anti-submarine warfare, diving, and radar.

Clarke Island. The storage of gun barrels during WW II. The 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. 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.

Tour Information

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

Vessel: MV BENNELONG operated by Caprice Charter Cruises Pty Ltd.

Check-in Time: 09:30am
Boarding Time: 09:45am for 10:00am DEPARTURE
End Time:             12:30pm – 1:00pm

Access: Ferry, Train and walk from Town Hall or Wynyard Stations.
Refreshments: Morning tea is included.

Costs

Individuals: $75 per person.
Groups: $70per person. Minimum group size is 10 people. Use coupon code CRUISE5 at checkout to receive discounted group rate.

SPECIAL NOTE: As this event is being conducted by the Naval Historical Society of Australia which is a ‘not for profit’ organisation the cruise can only proceed if sufficient tickets are sold to cover boat charter costs. In the most unlikely event that sufficient tickets are not sold, a decision will be made 14 days prior to the event on whether to proceed or not. Naturally all concerned will be advised and a full refund will be made to ticket holders if a negative decision is made.

Ticket Cancellation/Refund Policy:

More than 30 days full refund of ticket.          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: NHSA Cruise Coordinator: – 0451 218 336 (Between the hours 0900 to 1500) 

E-mail: NHSA Cruise Coordinator: – tours@navyhistory.au

More Information & Bookings