🗓️ Pyrmont's Maritime Museum Details Spring Holiday Fun

Pyrmont families are invited to explore a world of discovery, creativity, and adventure as the Australian National Maritime Museum in Darling Harbour unveils the full details of its exciting Spring school holiday program.

Running throughout the school break, the museum is offering a diverse range of activities, exhibitions, and hands-on workshops designed to captivate visitors of all ages. Attendees can immerse themselves in new exhibitions like Ur Wayii (Incoming Tide) and seize the final chance to view the critically acclaimed Wildlife Photographer of the Year before it concludes.

Engaging Activities for All Ages

• Splashing Science Circus: Prepare for a splash of fun with clever characters and fascinating facts about water. This lively and interactive show features spectacular science demonstrations and daring circus skills, exploring cool chemistry, fun physics, buoyancy, and bubbles. Dates vary, check the website for specific times (12:30pm & 2pm). Suitable for all ages, no bookings required, and included with any paid Museum ticket.
• Kids on Deck: Get creative in the maker space daily from 10:30am to 4pm. Inspired by Ur Wayii (Incoming Tide), seafaring traditions, and celestial navigation, children aged 4-12 (with accompanying adults) can craft paper watercraft, clay sculptures, nightscapes, or transform bottlecaps into new creations using a plastic recycling machine. Explore biomaterials, plankton, or dress up as an aquatic creature. Included with any paid Museum ticket, no bookings needed.
• Tools, Weapons and Watercraft Workshop: Join Koori Kinnections on 1 and 8 October, from 10am to 12pm, for a tactile journey into traditional Indigenous tools, weapons, and watercraft. This workshop, suitable for ages 5+, allows participants to create their own model Nawi out of paperbark using traditional techniques. Bookings are essential for this free event.
• Weaving Zagal and Paper Florilegium: Daily from 10am to 4pm, discover the art of Brian Robinson, inspired by tropical marine environments and cultural patterns. Suitable for ages 4 to adult, this free activity invites you to weave an angel fish or craft a multilayered paper flower. No bookings required.
• Photography Gel Printing: On 1 and 2 October, from 10am to 4pm, budding photographers aged 8-14 can learn SLR photography and transform their snaps into colourful, wearable art. Presented with Spitting Image Photography, participants will take home hand-printed t-shirts. Bookings are essential; price is $100 general, $90 members.
• Whale Song DJ: On 7 and 9 October, from 10am to 4pm, children aged 8-14 can remix, reverb, and record their own aquatic-inspired songs and animated videos. Learn about underwater technology like hydrophones and drones, then create a music video to be showcased on YouTube. Bookings are essential; price is $80 members, $90 general.
• Cabinet of Curiosities – Lost and Found at Sea: Daily from 10:30am-11:30am and 2pm-3pm, this hands-on discovery experience for all ages explores navigational devices, model boats, and celestial-inspired artmaking, from spyglass telescopes to shark constellations and miniature canoes. Free, no bookings needed.
• My Museum Sketch Trail: Available daily from 10am-4pm, become a curator and adventure through the galleries, exploring exhibitions and spying objects for your own mini museum. Complete the trail to receive a prize. Free, no bookings required, suitable for all ages.
• Underwater Drones: Test your gaming skills and pilot underwater drones in the harbour on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays at various times (12pm-3pm). Recommended for ages 8+, sessions include a private workshop and amazing underwater footage. Bookings are recommended; price is $35 general, $25 members (includes See it All museum admission for one player).

For a more inclusive visit, Sensory Friendly Days are scheduled with modified sound and lighting. Early access is available on Sundays, 28 September and 12 October, from 8:30am-11:30am. Late access is on Friday, 10 October, from 3:30pm-6:30pm. These sessions provide a quieter, more enjoyable experience for individuals on the autism spectrum and visitors with diverse access requirements. Trained staff will facilitate creative activities. Bookings are recommended for $12 per person.

With such a comprehensive program, the Australian National Maritime Museum is set to deliver a memorable and educational Spring holiday experience for the Pyrmont community and beyond.