It is our nations' birthday on January 26th, and we will be right in the middle of the best place to party - Sydney Harbour where the atmosphere is infectious!!

The Australia Day Council has planned a whole day and evening of celebration on Sydney Harbour!

Our Australia Day cruise begins with the Great Ferry Race aptly named the "Ferrython". Many harbour ferries (that normally provide commuter transport on Sydney's beautiful waterways have been completely transformed by fancy dress from the waterline to the funnel and beyond with streamers) take up position on the starting line in front of the Sydney Opera House. Once the ancient cannon on Fort Denison is fired signalling the beginning of one of Sydney Harbours most exciting events, the captain of each of these colourfully clad, normally "staid workhorses", opens the throttle and the whole spectator fleet (literally hundreds and hundreds of craft including us) surge forward to keep up with the racing ferries. The course of the race takes the ferries around Shark Island and on toward Watson's Bay before turning back towards the City. There is much glory for the skipper of the victorious ferry in this event, so you can see "every trick in the book" including smoke screens as the ferries race toward the finish line under the Harbour Bridge.

Soon after the conclusion of the "Ferrython" and almost before the excitement has died down, we will participate in the Australia Day Parade where a huge armada of vessels (many in fancy dress) will cruise from the Harbour Bridge, past the Opera House and Clark Island, to Bradley's Head before turning back to the Harbour Bridge. As it is our Nations' Birthday, we will decorate Sydney Sundancer with hundreds of flags in Australia's sporting colours GREEN & GOLD as a tribute to our fantastic sportsmen and women who have made us proud over the years.

In 2000, we were awarded the Australia Day Council's prize for BEST PRESENTED CHARTER BOAT. In 2001, we were awarded the Australia Day Council's prize for BEST AUSSIE THEME DISPLAY and in 2002 and 2007 we were awarded the Australia Day Council's prize for BEST DRESSED CHARTER VESSEL. This year we have a plan to win another prize and we hope you will join in our endeavour. (It's top secret at the moment so no one will copy our great idea!! The plan will only be revealed to those who book a place aboard!!!) During the Australia Day Parade, judges will be choosing finalists, and spectators on the waterfront will cheer their favourite vessels as they cruise by.

At 2.00pm, we will be presented with a colourful airborne display as our champion pilots from the RAAF perform precision flying above our heads. These aeroplanes swoop in towards the harbour and action is so close above us that you can almost see a smile on the pilots face as he lines up for the next manoeuvre. This year's display will be from four F18 Hornets, our top of the range jet fighters.

There will then be a search and rescue display, where helicopters simulate the rescue of sailors from the storm in the ill-fated 1999 Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race. Rescue flares locate the person in the water and they will be subsequently winched to safety aboard a helicopter.

Following that, members of the Red Berets , the Army elite Parachute regiment splash down into Circular quay.

At 3.30pm, in complete contrast to the air borne action of the modern day, we will be presented with historic sailing vessels - Sydney's fleet of Tall Ships, all decked out in their finest regalia. These majestic vessels, from a bygone era, parade past the Opera House and along the foreshores to take up their position on the starting line for a more sedate race - under sail. It is wonderful to see these "grand ladies" with almost half their crew aloft (hanging from the yardarms, some more than 100 ft or 30 meters above the deck) set their sails to harness the wind just the way Captain Cook did more than 200 years ago. This is not the "heart racing" excitement of the "Ferrython" but for those who appreciate witnessing historic action, it will be the closest most of us will get to being along side a vessel, the likes of which are seen in Russel Crow's new movie: Master and Commander.

Later in the afternoon, we will be on the finishing line for the Australia Day Regatta (the worlds' longest continuously held yachting event), so we can cheer the winners of each class and division. You can expect to see ocean racing yachts that will have returned from Hobart, and Harbour racing yachts that regularly compete on weekends as well as our own 18 foot skiffs (reputed to be the worlds' fastest monohull), all finishing their race in the vicinity of the Opera House.

That is what everyone remembers about the evening on Australia Day, but the evening cruise is more than that!! We will enjoy the worlds' only floating Jazz festival. Music is broadcast to the armada of spectator boats from giant loud speakers, while the band is aboard the "Music Shell" pontoon in the middle of the anchored fleet. Great jazz is followed by a spectacular fireworks display that is synchronised to the music played live by the band. When the fireworks are matched to Advance Australia Fair the feeling of pride and mateship is incredible.

We will be conducting two cruises on Australia Day. The first departs from Rose Bay ferry wharf at 10.30am , returning about 4pm (please be on the wharf 15 minutes prior to departure and remember parking will be difficult anywhere near the waterfront). The evening cruise departs at 4.30pm from Rose Bay ferry wharf returning to there about 10pm.

There are just so many exciting activities in which to participate that most charter vessels charge a very high premium for the occasion (some more than double our price) but we want to share this great day with our fellow "Aussie's" so we have kept the price to a low $120 per person for each cruise (which is the same price as last year). We are able to keep the cost of both cruises low because we ask you to join in the spirit of Australia Day and bring your own picnic and drinks.

It is strictly first come first served for these special Australia Day cruises, and there is always a long waiting list, so if you would like to join us, either email sailors@luxuryyacht.com.au or phone to book (telephone 02 9719 1870), as delays will surely lead to disappointment.

"After dark our giant birthday banner (hung high between Sydney Sundancer's towering masts) featuring a 2 metre upturned champagne bottle and champagne glasses outlined in fairy lights form a "ghost like party mirage" in the middle of the fleet of the vessels at anchor"

---

Harbour Cruises	Functions	Your Hosts	The Harbour	Weddings	Menus