Navy Open for Inspection
6 October 2010
Sydneysiders are invited to get a taste of life in the Royal Australian Navy when HMAS Kuttabul holds its annual Open Day at Potts Point on Sunday, 17 October 2010.
Four ships will open their gangways to the public with visitors invited aboard for tours and to meet some of the Navy's officers and sailors.
Adelaide Class Guided Missile Frigates HMAS Darwin and HMAS Newcastle will be open for tours, along with Anzac Class frigate HMAS Ballarat and Huon Class mine hunter HMAS Huon.
A Navy A109E Agusta helicopter will perform winching displays from Sydney Harbour.
Kuttabul’s Commanding Officer, CMDR Christine Clarke, says the Navy's elite Clearance Divers will be demonstrating their skills and the RAN Band will perform on the day.
"This is the one day of the year that the public gets to meet some of the Navy’s personnel as well as explore the warships and equipment that serve and protect the people of Australia.
“Heavy showers didn’t prevent more than 3,000 people venturing down to Kuttabul last year to enjoy the day - if Mother Nature is kind to us this year we are expecting double that number.
"Whether you are looking for a cheap and fun family day out, interested in the Navy, our ships or possibly thinking of signing up, then our open day is not to be missed," said Commander Clarke.
A free shuttle bus will run from the main HMAS Kuttabul wharf to the RAN Heritage Centre, where visitors can view the conning tower of a Japanese submarine that attacked Sydney in 1942, see rock carvings etched by the First Fleet sailors in 1788 and view Sydney Harbour through an attack submarine periscope.
The Navy Open Day will run from 10am – 4pm and entry and ship tours are free.
Public Transport is recommended:
- Bus 311 from Central – there will be additional bus services for this route between Circular Quay and Garden Island from 9:00am - 5:00pm.
- Circular Quay Ferries from Circular Quay Wharf 4 to Garden Island Ferry Wharf
- Train to Kings Cross station and walk 1.2 Km to the main gangway (entrance) on the corner of Cowper Wharf Road and Wylde Street.
For more transport information call 131 500 or go to www.131500.com.au. There will be no public car parking available in HMAS Kuttabul. The closest parking is at the Domain.
Note: Unfortunately due to ship design disabled access to the warships is not possible however a large variety of displays will be wheelchair accessible on the wharf.
Images
View 2009 Open Day images.
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