Australia Day Charters

AUSTRALIA DAY SCHEDULE

For updates
8.30 am Australia Day Surfboard Challenge presented by TAB Sydney Opera House for the start; Blues Point Reserve for the finish

10.55 am Ferrython Farm Cove, Shark Island, Bradleys Head, Athol Bay, Kirribilli Point

10.55am Look Up and Smile

12.00 pm Australia Day Parade Farm Cove, Clark Island, Bradleys Head, Athol Bay, Kirribilli Point and Lavender Bay for the finish

12.00 pm 21 Gun Salute East Farm Cove

1.00 pm F/A Aerial Display Sydney Harbour

1.30 pm 171st Australia Day Regatta East of Clark Island

2.00 pm Defence Aerial Display Sydney Harbour

2.00 pm Royal Australian Navy Search and Rescue Display Farm Cove

2.30 pm Up Close judging of the Best Dressed Vessel Competition Farm Cove

2.35 pm Royal Australian Navy Search and Rescue Display Milsons Point

3.00 pm Red Berets Parachute Display Circular Quay

3.00 pm Tall Ships Race Bradleys Head for the start - finishing under the Bridge

5.00 pm Sydney Ports Jazz on the Water Johnstons Bay and Pyrmont Point Park

8.45 pm Darling Harbour Australia Day Spectacular Cockle Bay

All Day Participation Best Dressed Vessels
Enter the Best Dressed Vessels Competition to win cash and prizes!

Join in the celebrations as Sydney Harbour welcomes Australia Day with waves of colourful vessels of all shapes and sizes. Show your true Aussie spirit by decorating your vessel and crew and participating in The Australia Day Parade. Judges will be out on Sydney Harbour throughout the day, but you can give them the opportunity to view your decorated vessel up close at the exclusion zone in Farm Cove at 2.30pm. So whether you’re in a small boat, big boat or working vessel, there’s every reason to be part of the spectacle.
Best Dressed Vessels Categories:
1. Best Dressed Overall
2. Best Dressed Small Boat (new category)
3. Most Original Theme
4. Best Dressed Working Boat
5. Best Dressed Charter Boat
6. Best Flag Display

Your vessel can be decorated as creatively as you like. Pick a theme – dress your vessel to represent a favourite Australian icon or celebrity, or a memorable moment in Australian history. Visit www.australiaday.com.au for ideas and suggestions plus the chance to win one of 20 decoration packs for your vessel. The winners of the Best Dressed Vessel Competition will be announced at the Sydney Ports Jazz on the Water concert in the evening.


10.55am – Look Up and Smile

Show the world how Aussies celebrate our national day with Look Up and Smile; a new addition to the Australia Day program. Visit www.australiaday.com.au for more information.

10.55am Ferrython

See Sydney Harbour come alive as four First Fleet ferries don their brightest Outfits and fight for the coveted line honours trophy. Racing from Circular Quay and around Shark Island, they’ll have their sights set on being first to reach the Sydney Harbour Bridge. After the race, the ferries sail around the Harbour for the afternoon and their crews compete for the Best Dressed Ferry Award. There is a 50 metre exclusion zone around each competing ferry.

Best vantage points: Between the Sydney Harbour Bridge and Shark Island.

Midday - Australia Day Parade

It’s time to gear up for Sydney Harbour’s biggest event as it erupts in celebration with the Australia Day Parade.

All boat owners are invited to showcase their decorated vessels and crew to the thousands of foreshore spectators. The parade will be lead by a flotilla of surf boats in recognition of The Year of The Surf Lifesaver and 100 years of surf lifesaving in Australia.

Join in anytime along the parade route or form up around the Tall Ships and the Sydney Ports Fire Tug in Darling Harbour before midday (see map: Traffic Arrangements for Darling harbour).

The procession heads under the Bridge before heading east, past Bennelong Point and Farm Cove. The parade moves around Clark Island, past Bradleys Head and backup the Harbour to the Bridge where it concludes by 2.00pm.

There is a 50 metre exclusion zone around the Tall Ships. The parade speed is 4 to 5 knots and is not to exceed 6 knots.

For further information on how to participate and decorate your vessel, visit www.australiaday.com.au

Best vantage points: Amongst the action in the Parade.

1.00pm and 2.00pm Defence Aerial Display

The Australia Day spectacle also takes place above Sydney Harbour. Be amazed by the speed of the F/A-18 and the Royal Australian Air Force Hawks, as they put on a spectacular flyover display over the Harbour at 1pm and 2pm.

1.30pm 171st Australia Day Regatta

The 171st Australia Day Regatta, the world’s oldest continuously conducted annual regatta, will take place throughout the afternoon, featuring hundreds of yachts and small sailing craft conducted by RSYS on behalf of the Australia Day Regatta Inc.

2.00pm and 2.35pm
Search and Rescue Displays

See the Royal Australian Navy Helicopter Search and Rescue Team perform a display in Farm Cove at 2pm and off Milsons Point near Bradfield Park at 2.35pm.

Best vantage points: Outside the exclusion zones at Farm Cove and Milsons Point.

3.00pm - Red Berets Splash Into Circular Quay

With skill and courage, members of the Australian Army Parachute Training School will drop into the waters of Circular Quay.

Best vantage points: Circular Quay.

3.00pm - Tall Ships Race

Be impressed by the magnificent Tall Ships as they compete for the Tall Ships Trophy. Watch as they race from Bradleys Head, back up the Harbour finishing under the Bridge. There is a 50 metre exclusion zone around each Tall Ship.

Best vantage points: Bradleys Head to the Bridge on the northern side of the Harbour.

5.00pm to 9.00pm
Sydney Ports Jazz on the Water

Boating and land based audiences are encouraged to arrive early at Johnstons Bay or Pyrmont Point Park for an evening of laid-back jazz rhythms. The concert is free to the public where you can wind down from the buzz of Australia Day and enjoy some of Australia’s dynamic artists as they jazz up the stage. Set up your picnic rug in the park or relax on your deck under the stars as the groovy tunes revitalise your mood.

Winners of the Best Dressed Vessel Competition are invited to parade their winning vessels in front of the cheering audience.

8.45 pm - Australia Day Darling Harbour Spectacular

Towards the end of the evening the festive atmosphere continues to echo into Darling Harbour. The Australia Day Spectacular is set against a glittering backdrop where thousands of spectators get in early to secure front row seats to watch the magnificent fireworks, sound and light show in Cockle Bay.

Best vantage points: The best vantage points to view the fireworks are in Darling Harbour, outside the exclusion zones and out on the main channels near Goat Island. On Australia Day Cockle Bay is closed to private Craft from 10am till 10pm and closed to all craft from 5pm.


Extra Advice for Spectators and Participants

Australia Day has lots of activities and opportunities for your vessel and crew to be involved. Visit www.australiaday.com.au for ideas and tips on how to decorate your vessel and a chance to win a decoration pack. Hurry – packs are limited!

There are plenty of quiet spots where you can take a break, and relax from the days activities on the Harbour. Rest Spots: Berry’s Bay and Snails Bay to the west and Taylor’s Bay, Rose Bay and Athol Bay to the east.

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The Sydney Harbour Escapes team are only a phone call or email away and are very happy to suggest suitable boats and options for your occasion. If you see a vessel you like, please contact us and we will check your Australia Day charter boat availability dates for you and book in your Sydney Harbour cruise.
Charter boat inspections welcome.

We are open 7 days a week, early until late.
Telephone: 02 9328 4748
For international calls, phone 0011 61 2 9328 4748