Explore a summer of family fun at the Australian National Maritime Museum
Explore the mysteries of the deep-sea and discover new underwater worlds at the Australian National Maritime Museum this summer with new exhibitions, hands-on workshops, creative activities, live performances, exciting activations, and so much more.
The Museum’s new exhibitions celebrate underwater exploration and champion those who have taken the plunge to highlight the unseen perspectives of what exists below the ocean’s surface. Ultimate Depth – A Journey to The Bottom of the Ocean features the extraordinary DEEPSEA CHALLENGER which took James Cameron to the Hadal Zone in 2012, Ocean Photographer of the Year 2024 features 118 extraordinary award-winning images from the Oceanographic Ocean Photographer of the Year competition, and James Cameron – Challenging the Deep showcases James Cameron’s pioneering work in underwater exploration.
With summer activations and activities inspired by the Museum’s newest exhibitions, there’s fun for the whole family to enjoy – morning, noon and night. Start with relaxing After Sunrise Yoga, then help build an underwater city in Bricktropolis, uncover hidden gems in an after-hours Torchlight Tour, and finally enjoy the beautiful Sydney views from the Museum’s freshly renovated boardwalk while enjoying Aperol Nights at Ripples.
This jam-packed program kicks off on December 19 and runs until February 2, see some of the highlights below. Full details at: Summer at the Sea Museum | Australian National Maritime Museum
NEW EXHIBITIONS:
Ultimate Depth - A Journey To The Bottom Of The Ocean - Embark on a journey from the ocean's sunlit surface to its deepest, darkest depths, exploring five unique zones, each brimming with its own wonders. Make your own Deep-Sea Creature and release it into the Midnight Zone and end your adventure in the deepest reaches of our ocean, the Hadal Zone, where you can investigate the DEEPSEA CHALLENGER, the submersible that took James Cameron to these extreme depths in 2012.
Dates: Opens 19 December
Times: 9.30am – 5.00pm
Ages: Suitable for all ages
Booking: No bookings required
Price: Included in See It All ticket
Ocean Photographer of the Year - Explore the awe-inspiring beauty and fragility of our oceans. Featuring 118 extraordinary images, this exhibition celebrates the vision of talented photographers from around the world.
Dates: 28 November – 27 April
Times: 9.30am – 5.00pm
Ages: Suitable for all ages
Booking: No bookings required
Price: Included in See It All ticket
James Cameron - Challenging the Deep - Experience how James Cameron’s passion for understanding and exploring the ocean has shone a light on one of the most important and least explored parts of the Earth. The exhibition immerses you in an underwater environment using cinema-scale projections, artifacts and specimens from his expeditions. Explore the spectacular and mysterious abyss and discover the shipwrecks of Titanic and the German battleship Bismarck.
Dates: Open until 2 February
Times: 9.30am – 5.00pm
Ages: Suitable for all ages
Booking: No bookings required
Price: Included in See It All ticket
FOR FAMILIES:
SUPERLUMINAL by Patch Theatre - Blending bold visual design, collaborative storytelling, and interactive play, Superluminal is an enchanting and unmissable experience for young audiences.
Children create their own imagined creatures, bring them to life with recorded sounds and spectacular rainbow lighting, and capture their fantastical shadows on a magical glow wall. Superluminal is an engaging experience designed to ignite curiosity.
Dates: 4 January – 2 Feb
Times: 10:00am – 3:40pm (40-minute sessions)
Ages: Recommended ages 4-8 and their families
Booking: Bookings essential
Price: $22 general admission, $18 members and concessions
Important Information: Relaxed sessions of these performances are available for anyone with sensory issues.
Bricktropolis - Dive into an immersive LEGO® experience with our underwater-themed activation, where creativity meets collaboration! Visitors of all ages are invited to contribute to the construction of a sprawling, mystical underwater city, crafted entirely from LEGO® bricks. This communal build space encourages imagination, as each participant adds unique structures to the aquatic wonderland.
Dates: 19 December – 2 February
Times: 10:00am – 4:00pm
Ages: Suitable for ages 3+
Booking: No bookings required
Price: Included in See It All ticket
Deep Sea Disco Days - It’s time to shimmy like a seapig, jive like a jellyfish, grapevine like a gulper eel or boogie like a bioluminescent angler as you light up the deep-sea disco dance floor! Take a trip to the midnight zone on Mondays in January. Come in costume to enjoy our summer of deep-sea exhibitions, meet and enjoy photo ops with our real-life deep-sea mermaid and jellyfish-DJ hosts, enjoy collaborative drawing activities, and get your face painted or your flippers tattooed with your favourite underwater creature designs.
Dates: 6, 13, 20 January
Times: 11:00am – 2:00pm
Ages: Suitable for ages 2-12
Booking: No bookings required
Price: Free
Torchlight Tour - Join a lively character guide for a dramatic after dark tour through the museum. Enter the weird and wonderful world of the deep sea in this exclusive after-hours access to our summer exhibitions including James Cameron -Challenging the Deep and Ultimate Depth – A Journey to the Bottom of the Sea. Enjoy light refreshments and souvenir art making.
Dates: 16 January
Times: 6:30pm – 8:00pm
Ages: Suitable for ages 4-12 and adults
Booking: Bookings essential
Price: $25 child, $16 adult, $75 family (2 adults and up to 3 children)
Kids on Deck - Be inspired by wondrous deep ocean environments and daring underwater adventures, from the shallows to the abyss- as you enjoy art making and experiments with your family.
Create your own explorer’s submersible model, craft curious creatures into marvellous soft sculptures, experiment with printmaking and transform marine debris into new usable creations. Make a splash with water play and boat racing in our outdoor area, dress up as your favourite aquatic creature or take a quiet time out in our coral reef reading zone.
Dates: 19 December – 2 February
Times: 10:30am – 4:30pm (drop-in sessions)
Ages: Suitable for ages 4 – 14 yrs and accompanying adults
Booking: No booking required
Price: Included in See It All ticket.
FOR ADULTS:
Aperol Nights at Ripples - Celebrate long summer evenings at Ripples with an Aperol Spritz and a menu of sophisticated small plates perfect for sharing. Sip on a refreshing Aperol Spritz and enjoy the vibrant Italian summer-inspired pop-up, complete with pops of orange décor to transport you to sunlit terraces in Italy. Enjoy the sunset and embrace the season with delicious food, drinks, and great company.
Dates: 2, 3, 4, 9, 10, 11, 16, 17, 18 January
Times: 3pm – 9pm
Ages: Suitable for ages 18+
Booking: No booking required
After Sunrise Yoga - Start your morning with a peaceful yoga session led by Auntie Jacqui Jarrett, a proud Dharawal and Gumbaynggirr woman. Held on our serene boardwalk overlooking the harbour, these sessions welcome participants of all levels to explore the connection between First Nations practices and yoga.
These classes blend First Nations wisdom with modern wellness, offering a transformative experience for mind, body, and soul. Please wear comfortable clothing and bring a yoga mat or towel.
Dates: 6, 13, 20 January
Times: 8:30am – 9:30am
Ages: Suitable for ages 18+
Booking: Bookings essential
Price: Free
Bricks & Beers - Unleash your inner child at Bricks n Beers — a fun-filled evening just for grown-ups in Bricktropolis, the museum’s indoor LEGO® playground where an underwater city is being built! Stroll through stunning marine-themed displays featuring intricate coral reefs, sunken ships, and fantastical sea creatures for inspiration.
Dates: 9, 16, 23 January
Times: 6:00pm – 8:00pm
Ages: Suitable for ages 18+ only
Booking: Bookings required
Price: $40
Still Life Drawing Club - This summer, Gladdy Drawing Club is transforming traditional life drawing and inviting you to make the museum your muse. Forget the usual figure models—boats take their place, with elegant curves and intricate details, while a stately lighthouse offers a striking substitute for the human form. We invite artists of all levels to sharpen their observational skills while exploring new creative horizons.
Dates: 8, 15, 22 January
Times: 11:00am – 12:00pm
Ages: Suitable for children ages 6+ and adults
Booking: No bookings required
Price: Free
FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY:
Nautical Knots & Ropemaking Demonstrations - Delve into seafaring history as skilled ropemakers showcase traditional techniques passed down for centuries. Witness their craft in action and even try your hand at creating your own rope. Take home a handmade souvenir and a deeper appreciation for this vital maritime tradition. Don’t miss this hands-on journey into the heart of maritime craftsmanship!
Dates: December 21, 28
January 4, 11, 18, 25
Times: 11am – 11:30am
Ages: Recommended ages 4-8 and their families
Booking: No bookings required
Price: Free
Tucker Tuesdays - Join Aunty Marie and the team from Koori Kulcha as they share native plants, herbs and spices in an engaging talk, demonstration and tasting experience. Learn about how these ingredients and flavours have been sourced and utilised for cooking, medicine and traditional practices over the years. Enjoy an interactive cooking demonstration and sample cuisine featuring these locally sourced bush tucker ingredients.
Dates: 14, 21, 28 January
Times: 11:00am – 12:30pm
Ages: Suitable for all ages
Booking: No bookings required
Price: Free
Drop-in Docos - Cool off this summer in the museum’s theatre and immerse yourself in a series of captivating oceanic and Arctic documentaries. Screening daily, these films explore the wonders of nature, the marvels of human engineering, and the mysteries of our planet’s most breathtaking habitats.
Perfect for families, film lovers, or anyone seeking a refreshing escape, this drop-in series is your ticket to adventure—no reservation needed! Check the schedule and discover a new perspective on the world around us.
Dates: Daily
Times: 10:00am – 5:00pm (drop-in sessions)
Ages: Suitable for all ages
Booking: No booking required
Price: Free
Important information: All films are PG
ENDS
For images: 2024 Summer Program
For media enquiries please contact:
Alex Gonzalez e: alex.gonzalez@sea.museum m: 0401 545 778
