The Vivid Sydney 2023 theme, Vivid Sydney, Naturally comes to life at the Australian National Maritime Museum.

From May 26 until June 17 the museum will showcase the natural environment and creativity, inside, outside and day and night!

The museum’s Vivid Sydney 2023 program will see a specially commissioned projection and soundscape by creative leaders, harbour kayaking tours and wildlife photography all putting nature at the forefront of the discussion.

The HMAS Vampire, Australia’s largest museum object alongside the museum’s rooftop will be the canvas for a dazzling projection and sound display called Harbour Life during Vivid Sydney.

Come inside to witness nature at its finest captured by master photographers at the Wildlife Photographer of the Year exhibition on daily from 10am to 4pm.

See Vivid Sydney from a completely different angle with Sydney Vivid Moonlight Kayaking Experience by museum residents Sydney Harbour Kayaks.

Finally, the museum is proud to be a venue partner for REMIX Sydney 2023 on June 8 and 9 which will see Australia’s creative industries come together to hear some of the world’s most creative leaders.

Harbour Life

Harbour Life is a unique collaboration between the Australian National Maritime Museum, award-winning Sydney-based creative projects company Artists in Motion as part of Vivid Sydney.

Harbour Life takes the audience on a journey through Australia’s marine environment through the eyes of a turtle in line with Vivid Sydney’s 2023 theme, Vivid Sydney, Naturally. It explores Indigenous maritime management, the arrival of the colonists and our shared future, focusing on conservation and management of this fragile and essential ocean ecosystem.

Harbour Life is a celebration of nature, Indigenous knowledge, creativity, culture, ocean science and the latest technology – all working with a shared passion of helping our oceans thrive into the future.

Museum Director and CEO Daryl Karp says, ‘Harbour Life is breathtaking, the creativity and expertise of Artists in Motion is extraordinary. They have worked with our curators to really create an important and beautiful piece of storytelling. We are proud to bring this part of the harbour to life in such a magnificent way for Vivid Sydney 2023 The HMAS Vampire and museum rooftop will resonate with marine life.’

Harbour Life will be shown daily from May 26-June 17 from 6pm until 11pm (best vantage points – Pyrmont Bridge or King Street Wharf).

Sydney Harbour Kayaks

During Vivid Sydney from May 26 to June 17, Sydney Harbour Kayaks will offer museum residents a special Vivid Sydney kayaking experience taking in the sights and sounds of Vivid Sydney 2023 from the water line.

Join the professional team from Sydney Harbour Kayaks on a very special 90 minute night-time sea kayaking tour: Sydney Vivid Moonlight Kayaking Experience

As the sun sets over Sydney and we cast off in our kayaks, watch the city come to life and illuminate around you from your floating vantage point. Starting from the museum, these provide a rare opportunity to paddle through Darling Harbour on a moonlit adventure that allows you to experience Vivid Sydney from a unique and crowd-free perspective.

Take this unique opportunity to paddle through Sydney’s iconic Harbour under the moonlight and experience Vivid Sydney like never before.

Duration: 1 1/2 Hours/ VERY LIMITED Places / FAMILY Specials available

Vivid Sydney Light Walk

Catch the F4 ferry or the Light Rail to Pyrmont Bay

The museum is also an excellent entry point to the 8.5km Vivid Sydney Light Walk. Catch the Ferry or the Light Rail to Pyrmont Bay, walk along the Pyrmont Bridge and get great vantage points for both Harbour Life and the light and sound show Elemental in Cockle Bay as part of the Vivid Sydney Light Walk.

You then have the choice of travelling left towards Circular Quay or right to the Goods Line and to Central Station to see the rest of the Light Walk.

The Vivid Sydney Light Walk is a free 8.5km walking trail that weaves around the Sydney Harbour foreshore and passes through The Rocks, Walsh Bay, Barangaroo, Darling Harbour, Darling Quarter, and more and includes projections on iconic structures such as the Sydney Harbour Bridge, Sydney Opera House, Museum of Contemporary Art Australia, Customs House, the Australian National Maritime Museum and more.

When: May 26 until June 17

Where: Maritime Museum