Sydney Heritage Fleet at Pyrmont Peninsula Is An Impressive Floating Museum

Something of a floating museum, Sydney Heritage Fleet boasts one of the largest and most impressive collections of watercraft in Australia, including 10 historical vessels and 55 small heritage boats. Unlike a museum, however, SHF strongly encourages visitors to touch, walk on and occasionally even travel aboard its beautifully preserved ships and boats. 

SHF offers a number of unique activities that take full advantage of its location within one of the most beautiful harbours in the world. 

For a stunning day on the water and a trip back in time, it’s hard to find an adventure that compares with an ocean voyage on the pride of the SHF fleet, the James Craig. This magnificent tall ship is spectacular to behold, gliding across Sydney Harbour with its sails unfurled.  

Or, if you prefer something more quaint and calm, you can take a trip on the Steam Tug Waratah and experience a steam-powered cruise around the harbour. 

Sydney Heritage Fleet also has several special events throughout the year. Coming up is their very popular Jacaranda Cruise. 

Featuring two of their smaller heritage boats, the steam launch, Lady Hopetoun and steamer, The Harman, the cruises take advantage of the many jacaranda trees that line the shores of Sydney Harbour. 

“It’s at the end of October, beginning of November when the jacaranda is in bloom,” explains Nicola from SHF. “We use our small vessels so they can actually go quite close into the bays, so you have a really nice view of all the back gardens where they have the trees and they are in full bloom.”

Sydney Harbour is a jewellery display at night, and there’s not better way to see it than from the water. 

“During Vivid we do night time cruises that go around the harbour,” says Nicola who believes there’s no better way to see the spectacular light show. 

Christmas cruises are a tradition in Sydney and SHF has a range of craft available for hire to suit your group size and event. 

Of course, the night of nights on Sydney Harbour is New Year’s Eve, and SHF offers supreme views of the harbour spectacles and fireworks. NYE is just around the corner and these cruises sell out fast. 

The biggest day on Sydney Harbour is arguably the start of the Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race on Boxing Day. If you’ve ever been one of the throng lining the coastal cliffs, you’ll know how electric the atmosphere is. Turn that up a few notches and that’s what you’d experience aboard one of SHF’s heritage boats (including the James Craig) among the spectator flotilla following the competitors. 

For something truly special, how about sailing all the way down to Hobart aboard the James Craig? This special voyage is scheduled for February, 2025 to coincide with the Australian Wooden Boat Festival. 

“The James Craig will voyage to Hobart with passengers, take part in the festival, then voyage back,” says Nicola.

Many of the SHF boats are available for private charter including the James Craig, the steamers and launches. They are a unique and beautiful venue for corporate or special occasions…or even an Elvis tribute cruise (which someone hosted recently). 

SHF is mainly staffed by volunteers who help maintain its fleet, take the boats out on trips, and restore old ships and boats. You can watch the volunteers at work at the Heritage Fleet Shipyards in Rozelle Bay, where they are currently restoring the John Oxley, Australia’s last coastal steam ship, and the Kanangra, the last double-ended harbour ferry.

Sydney Heritage Fleet contributes significantly to preserving Australia’s maritime history. Apart from watercraft, its collection includes one of the largest collections of marine engines in Australia, over fifty model ships, and a comprehensive research library and archive which includes photographs, ships’ plans, diaries, logs and journals.

 Wharf 7, 58 Pirrama Rd, Pyrmont

 02 8204 3500

www.shf.org.au