More than 20 nations have confirmed participation by either a warship or tall ship including: Australia, Brunei, Canada, China, Colombia, France, India, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Micronesia, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nigeria, Papua New Guinea, Russia, Singapore, Spain, Thailand, Tonga, United Kingdom and the United States of America.
Australian and foreign warships plus the tall ships will be open at these events for what is a rare opportunity for the public to go on board some ships.
The flagship HMAS Australia will lead the new Australian Fleet of seven cruisers and destroyers (HMA Ships Melbourne, Sydney, Encounter, Warrego, Parramatta and Yarra) into Sydney Harbour for the first time.
The program will include: a tall ships parade; warships arrival; ceremonial fleet review; naval gun salutes; fixed wing and helicopter flypasts; aerial acrobatic displays; Sydney Harbour fireworks and light show; ships open to visitors; combined naval march through the streets of Sydney; military band concerts; Freedom of Entry parades in Parramatta and Mosman; religious and memorial services; and sporting competitions. Military and historic aircraft will also feature prominently during the Review with more than 30 RAN and visiting navy helicopters and fixed wing aircraft taking part.
UPDATE: The United States Navy guided-missile cruiser USS Chosin (CG 65) and the People’s Liberation Army Navy’s Qingdao, a Luhu-class guided missile destroyer from China have confirmed their attendance taking the total number of visiting warships to 23. With the combined might of the Royal Australian Navy's ships and the tall ships there will be a fleet of 60 ships arriving in Sydney Harbour for the event. During Open Days on 6 and 7 October 2013 members of the public will have the opportunity to visit both warships and tall ships at Garden Island, Barangaroo and Darling Harbour.
More event information is available on the International Fleet Review 2013 website and their Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/IFR2013
- Date: 3 October 2013 - 11 October 2013
- Time: Refer to the Schedule of Events below
- Where: Various locations around Sydney, NSW. See below for details
- Website: http://www.navy.gov.au/ifr/
- Cost: Free
Schedule of Events
Note: The following program is subject to change.
1 October 2013
- 1200-1600 Warships enter Jervis Bay.
2 October 2013
- 1830-2030 Welcome Reception hosted by Chief of Navy. Location: Royal Australian Naval College, HMAS Creswell (Invited Guests).
3 October 2013
- 1100 Tall ships entry. Location: Sydney Harbour.
- 0730 Warships depart Jarvis Bay for passage to Sydney.
- 1830 Tall ships welcome reception. Location: Australian National Maritime Museum (Invited Guests).
4 October 2013
- 0600-1600 Warships enter Sydney Harbour
- 1000 Ceremonial Fleet Entry and 21 Gun Salute. HMA Ships Sydney, Darwin, Perth, Parramatta, Bundaberg, Diamantina and Yarra. Location: Sydney Harbour.
- 1100-1600 Australian Surf Rowers Reception. Location: Sydney Opera House.
- 1830-2030 Visiting Ships Welcome Reception. Location: Garden Island (Invited Guests).
5 October 2013
- Dress ship. Location: Sydney Harbour.
- 1100-1430 Ceremonial Fleet Review. Location: Sydney Harbour.
- 1130-1200 Formation flypast by rotary and fixed winged aircraft. Location: Sydney Harbour.
- 1400-1900 Military demonstrations and Naval band performances.
- 1800-2030 Combined IFR Official Reception. Location: Sydney Opera House Forecourt (Invited Guests).
- 1930-2000 Pyrotechnics and Lightshow. Location: Sydney Harbour.
6 October 2013
- 1000-1130 HMAS Sydney Memorial Service. Location: Naval Memorial, Bradley's Head.
- 1300-1800 Tall ships open to the general public. Location: Cockle Bay/Darling Harbour (TBC).
- 1300-1800 Warships Open Day. Location: Fleet Base East, Garden Island/Barangaroo.
- 1400-1530 Ecumenical Service. Location: St Mary's Cathedral.
7 October 2013
- 0730-1015 Opening of Sea Power Conference 2013 and Pacific 2013 International Maritime Exposition. Location: Sydney Conference and Exhibition Centre, Darling Harbour.
- Royal Australian Navy Band recitals.
- 0800-1800 Warships Open Day. Location: Fleet Base East, Garden Island/Barangaroo.
- 0800-1800 Tall ships open to the general public. Location: Cockle Bay/Darling Harbour (TBC).
8 October 2013
- 0800-1700 Sea Power Conference 2013 and Pacific 2013 International Maritime Exposition continue. Location: Sydney Conference and Exhibition Centre, Darling Harbour
- Royal Australian Navy Band recitals.
- 1000-1500 Combined Navies Golf Competition. Location: The Coast Golf Club.
- 1230-1400 HMAS Penguin Freedom of Entry to Mosman. Location: Mosman Central Business District.
- 1230-1400 Navy Memorial Service. Location: Cenotaph, Martin Place.
- 1300-1430 HMAS Parramatta Freedom of Entry to Parramatta. Location: Parramatta Central Business District.
- 1830-2030 Vice Regal Reception. Location: Government House, Botanic Gardens (Invited Guests).
9 October 2013
- 1030-1100 Sea Power Conference 2013 Closing Ceremony. Location: Sydney Conference and Exhibition Centre, Darling Harbour.
- 1230-1430 Combined Navies Parade. Location: George Street - The Rocks to Town Hall.
- 1430-1630 Lord Mayor's Reception. Location: Sydney Town Hall (Invited Guests).
- 1400-1630 Pacific 2013 IFR Ships Companies Lunch. Location: Sydney Conference and Exhibition Centre, Darling Harbour.
- Closing of Pacific 2013 International Maritime Exposition. Location: Sydney Conference and Exhibition Centre, Darling Harbour.
- 1500-1730 Twilight sailing with RAN Sailing Association. Location: Sydney Harbour.
10 October 2013
- 1100 Tall ships depart. Location: Sydney Harbour.
- 1000-1500 Combined Navies Sporting Competition. Location: Randwick Barracks/Macquarie Park.
11 October 2013
- Warships depart. Location: Sydney Harbour.
Need affordable and comfortable accommodation close to the fleet locations in Sydney Harbour?
Metro Hotels offer comfortable hotel rooms and apartments around Sydney city that will keep you close these venues and major public transport hubs.
So whether you're coming from interstate to Sydney or coming from overseas, we've got you covered!
- Metro Apartments on Darling Harbour (close walk to Sydney Harbour)
- Metro Hotel Sydney Central (close walk or bus/taxi ride to Sydney Harbour)
- Metro Hotel on Pitt (close train/bus or taxi ride to Sydney Harbour)
- Aspire Hotel Sydney Ultimo (close train/bus or taxi ride to Sydney Harbour)
Each hotel or serviced apartment is close to major train stations, buses or ferries. Because all four hotels are situated in the city, there are plenty of taxis available to catch on the street. Many of the fleet locations can be reached by foot from our hotels. Nearby there are also supermarkets, shops, restaurants, convenience stores, ATMs, medical centres and public toilets all within walking distance.
Want discounts on your stay at Metro Hotels? Here are some specials:
Kids Stay FREE Package @ Metro Apartments on Darling Harbour
- $229.00* (Sunday - Thursday)
- $329.00* (Friday)
- $400.00* (Saturday)
- Details and To Book: http://www.metrohotels.com.au/special/316
Winter Sydney Great Saver @ Metro Hotel Sydney Central
Metro Hotel is offering this Winter Sydney - Great Saver package for $129.00 per room per night including:
- Free wireless internet
- Free Breakfast for 2 adult
- Free bottle of wine on arrival
- Free late check out by 12 noon (Subject to availability).
- Details and To Book: http://www.metrohotels.com.au/special/307
Bed and Breakfast PLUS Package @ Metro on Pitt
Metro Hotel on Pitt is offering this Bed and Breakfast PLUS Package including:
- One Nights Accommodation
- Hot Buffet Breakfast for two
- Details and To Book: http://www.metrohotels.com.au/special/217
Park and Stay Special at Aspire Hotel Sydney @ Aspire Hotel
Aspire Hotel Sydney is offering this Park and Stay Special:
- Book for 3 nights accommodation at Aspire Hotel Sydney and get free parking
- Details and To Book: http://www.metrohotels.com.au/special/106
