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Summer at the Sea Museum

Festival
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Another world awaits this school holidays as we dive into the ocean’s depth with our exciting summer program. From budding marine explorers to creative spirits, there’s something for everyone.

Summer at the Sea Museum brings the waterfront and galleries alive with play, discovery and fun for kids of all ages. The creative-packed summer program includes new exhibitions, experiences, and performances with all your favourite school holiday activities.

The See It All Ticket offers great value for a family day out, with access to all our exhibitions and a wide selection of programs, it's enough to fill up the whole day.

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Superluminal

A magical journey through light and time!

Blending bold visual design, collaborative storytelling, and interactive play, Superluminal is an enchanting and unmissable experience for young audiences created by Patch Theatre.

Recommended ages 4- 8 yrs and their families. Younger visitors and access groups also welcome. 

Limited season, 4 January – 2 February

Children playing with interactive theatre props in colourful light.

Family favourites

Dive into our exhibitions

Beat the heat and enjoy our air-conditioned galleries this summer. 

Climb aboard our vessels

Create your own adventure on HMAS Vampire, Australia's largest museum vessel or imagine what it's like to dive beneath the waves in our submarine HMAS Onslow. 

Build an underwater city - Bricktropolis!

Join a collaborative LEGO® experience where visitors help build a mystical underwater city, explore a free play area, and draw inspiration from stunning marine-themed display models. 

Included with a see it all ticket or museum membership.

Free activities on the waterfront

From looking at boats to tying knots in rope, there are plenty of free activities happening along our waterfront this summer.

  • Roving performers
  • A flotilla of rare Halvorsen boats
  • Early morning Yoga
  • Still Life drawing club
  • And much, much more

Drop-in docos

Escape the heat this summer and enjoy free daily screenings of captivating documentaries exploring the wonders of nature, the ocean, and human innovation at the museum’s theatre. 

See what's screening

Dive below the waves with our ROVs

Remote Operated Vehicles (ROVs or underwater drones) reveal to us the hidden worlds underneath the waves. Be inspired by our summer exhibitions and explore the natural and man made marine habitats of Darling Harbour.

Drone workshop sessions can cater to for 1 person per session or a group of up to 4 players (family/friends) may share a session. Drones workshops are accessible for wheelchair users.

Photo of 3 children in a dark space with torches looking at a piece of technical equipment with a yellow round screen and buttons.

Family Torchlight Tour - Abyssal!

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. Enjoy light refreshments and souvenir art making.    

Thursday 16 January, 6.30pm – 8pm

$25 child, $16 adult, $75 family (2 adults and up to 3 children)   
$20 member child, $14 member adult, $60 member family  

Recommended for ages 4-12 and adults 
Bring your torches and wear comfortable shoes for walking. 
Meet at the museum foyer on the wharf side of the museum.
Doors open 15 mins prior to start of tour. 

2 children using torches to look at a letter on an old fashioned desk.
Museum waterfront

For the adults - enjoy sunset at the sea museum

This summer, skip the school holiday crowds with a range of special events and programs outside our regular hours.

Enjoy one of the best views of our beautiful harbour with a drink and share plate from Ripples Café, get stuck into our adults only LEGO® sessions or get out on the water with our partners Sydney Harbour Kayaks and Sydney by Sail. We even have Yoga for the early birds - there really is something for everyone at the museum this summer. 

Photograph of the museum waterfront, with a group of people doing yoga on the right hand side. There is a lighthouse on the left and the city buildings in the background.

Aperol Arvos 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. Gather your crew, enjoy the sunset, and embrace the season with delicious food, drinks, and great company. 

Thursday –  Saturday
9-11 and 16-18 January
1pm – 6pm

Photo taken behind2 people sitting and talking to each other, with drinks in hand.
Photo of a tray with wine glasses containing an orange liquid and straw.
Photo taken from a tall ship with the mast in the forground, looking at the Sydney Harbour Bridge in the background and a blue sky with white clouds

Explore Sydney Harbour

Summer at the Sea Museum Social Media Competition

Win an Annual Family Pass by sharing your favourite summer memory on our facebook page. 

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