Set sail for the Maritime Museum this summer holidays! Dive into the new blockbuster exhibition Brickwrecks: Sunken Ships in LEGO® bricks and embark on a luminous Shipwreck Odyssey – along with a rollicking program of shipwreck-themed creative workshops, performances, activities, tours and more. Discover the underwater science of Sydney Harbour at the Ocean Health Lab and find adventure along a maritime minifigs activity trail. With vessels and new summer exhibitions, there’s under-5’s tours, underwater drones, creative workshops, Sensory Sundays, Kids on Deck holiday program and more. Summer school holiday program highlights – Click here to view program and book
SHIPWRECK ODYSSEY BY BOX OF BIRDS/STALKER THEATRE
Voyage beneath the waves and coral cays of Queensland’s Wreck Reefs, as the ghost ship Jenny Lind leads an adventure into the mysteries of our oceans in this stunning, responsive-projection playscape. Dance with stingrays, bask with whales, run with clouds of plankton through shipwreck reefs in a magical experience, from the acclaimed Box of Birds /Stalker theatre team. Recommended ages 4-14 yrs. Daily, except Mondays, 28 December – 26 January, session bookings essential.
BRICKWRECKS – SUNKEN SHIPS IN LEGO® BRICKS
Mini-fig scale LEGO® models created by Ryan ‘The Brickman’ McNaught replicate shipwrecked vessels and wreck sites from around the world – including RMS Titanic, Swedish warship Vasa, Dutch trading vessel Batavia and HMS Pandora. Discover stories behind real shipwreck artefacts and deep-dive into a web experience with the museum’s maritime archaeologists. Opens 18 December, bookings essential. Extended museum hours during school holidays, including Bricks and Beats on selected Fridays during December and January. Book tickets online at sea.museum/whats-on
CABINET OF CURIOSITIES – SHIPWRECK STORIES
Explore maritime archaeology tools and shipwreck objects in this hands-on discovery encounter throughout our galleries.
All ages. Daily, in school holidays, summer holiday programs 28 December – 26 January, 11am – 12pm and 2–3 pm.
UNDERWATER DRONES
Got gaming skills? Try your hand at piloting our new underwater ‘deep trekker’ ROV drones to explore beneath the surface of the harbour. Brand new drone workshops in private sessions that cater for one person or a group of up to four players; sessions are suitable for wheelchair users. Please note, drones cannot be operated in adverse weather conditions, cancelled sessions will be refunded. Ages 9 to adult, bookings essential, Wednesdays and Sundays, 4-22 January, 30-minute sessions, 12pm to 2.30pm.
Open Age Workshops
ANIMATION CREATIONS – ONE DAY WORKSHOP
Produce your own stop-motion animations in this fun one-day workshop. Inspired by new exhibitions, including Shipwreck Odyssey and Brickwrecks, learn techniques for creating engaging visual narratives frame by frame using clay and LEGO® and create your own animations. Finished works will be showcased on the museum’s YouTube channel. Bookings essential. Wednesday 11 January and Thursday 12 January, 10am – 4pm.
PHOTO PROS – ONE DAY WORKSHOP
Take your photography skills to the next level in this one-day intensive course. Be inspired by scenic surrounds on an outdoors photo shoot and master complex shooting, such as dark indoor spaces, moving subjects, macro-photography and more. Learn manual modes on a digital SLR camera as well as sharpened photo editing skills. Finished work features in a special exhibition. This course is eligible for creative kids vouchers. Early bird rates apply. Bookings essential. Wednesday 18 or Thursday 19 January.
Hands-on art and science fun for families
KIDS ON DECK – WORKSHOP SESSIONS FOR FAMILIES
Be inspired by shipwreck stories and maritime archaeology, with art-making and experiments for all the family. Create your own ship models, diorama dramas and fluorescent plankton puppets. Turn marine debris into new creations like bubble wands and carabiners, with our plastic recycling machine. Try some edible algae experiments, excavate a shipwreck dig site or dress up as your favourite aquatic creature. Daily during school holidays, limited capacity, book on arrival, members free. Ages 4-14 and adults. 28 December – 25 January, 10.30 am–4 pm (30-minute sessions).
MARITIME MINIFIG ACTIVITY TRAIL
Explore the museum’s collection as you search for minifig maritime archaeologists, sneaky sailors and pernicious pirates hidden throughout the museum. Seek sunken treasures, precious cargo and spectacular ship-models in this all-ages activity. Complete the trail to receive your prize. Free, from 23 December.
OCEAN HEALTH LAB – EXHIBITION AND TOURS The Seabin Ocean Health Lab has landed at the Maritime Museum – the first of its kind in the world to monitor microplastics collected in our nearby waters. Seabin scientists analyse marine debris collected from thirty Seabins stationed around Sydney Harbour – from macroplastics to tiny nurdles, offering new information on what goes into our waterways and what we can do to turn the tide on marine pollution. Free entry. Recommended ages 5 to adult. Check for tour times. 2 – 25 January.
SENSORY FRIENDLY SUNDAYS ACCESS PROGRAM
A comfortable environment for kids and adults on the autism spectrum and visitors with a variety of access requirements. Join us for Sensory-Friendly Sundays in Summer for a quieter museum experience, visiting new exhibitions, selected vessels and activity areas extra early. Our trained staff and volunteers are on hand to facilitate creative activities.
Children under 4 and members free. Pre- Booking encouraged. Includes early access to Brickwrecks. 18 December, 15 and 22 January.
PROUD TO SUPPORT THE SUNFLOWER
The museum supports the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower. Bring and wear your sunflower lanyard if you have one or pick one up for free on arrival to the museum.
Staff specially trained to support visitors with Hidden Disabilities will also be wearing a sunflower badge or sticker.
