Australian National Maritime Museum Launches Major Program Celebrating 125 Years of the Australian NavyAustralian National Maritime Museum Launches Major Program Celebrating 125 Years of the Australian Navy 

The Australian National Maritime Museum is proud to present a year-long program of Navy focused public activities as Australia marks the 125th anniversary of the Australian Navy in 2026.

The Navy 125 program offers a powerful national moment to recognise the service and sacrifice of Navy personnel, showcase stories from Australia’s maritime defence history, and connect visitors with the evolving role of the Navy in the Indo Pacific region.

Across the year, the Museum will present new exhibitions, major events, a national touring program and landmark gallery redevelopments. The year’s programs provide a platform for education, engagement, and recognition—bringing the Navy’s past, present and future vividly to life.

Ms Daryl Karp AM, Director and CEO of the Museum said ‘The 125th anniversary of the Australian Navy is a time to honour a history of service and sacrifice. We often immediately think of the navy in terms of war and national security, and that is certainly true, but it is important to consider the broader role it plays in ocean security, environmental management, and disaster relief in Australian and the Asia Pacific region.'

‘As the country’s museum of the sea, we are proud to bring these stories to life—past, present, and future—through exhibitions, programs and partnerships that connect Australians with their navy in meaningful and compelling ways. This anniversary year deepens that commitment, offering a powerful platform for engagement, education, and national conversation.’

Navy 125 Exhibition – Opening 28 February

This exhibition showcases people and pivotal events that have shaped the Australian Navy over its 125-year history of securing Australia's interests in peace and in war. This commemorative display tells stories of love, loss, vigilance, community and sacrifice unique to navy life. 

 

Open Day – 1 March

1 March 1901 saw the creation of the Australian Navy following Federation on 1 January 1901.

To coincide with the anniversary date, the Museum will host a full site Open Day inviting the public to meet Navy personnel, explore our naval vessels, hear stories of service and participate in hands on activities. The whole of the museum will be free for patrons to explore and enjoy

Find out more

 

Major redevelopment – Navy Pavilion Transformation – Opening December

The Museum’s popular naval pavilion, Action Stations is being transformed, a major redevelopment showcasing the strategic, technological and human dimensions of Navy operations in the Indo Pacific.

 

National /International Touring Exhibitions

Throughout 2026, the touring exhibition Dark Victory (telling the story of the Krait in WWII) will visit several naval bases across the country:

• HMAS Albatross - Fleet Air Arm Museum, Nowra, 12 December – 1 April
• HMAS Creswell - Royal Australian Naval College, 7 April – 11 July
• HMAS Cerberus - Heritage and Learning Centre, 18 July – 4 October
• HMAS Stirling - Heritage and Learning Centre, 10 October – 31 December.

Other touring exhibitions relating to the Australian navy include:

• Battle of the Coral Sea exhibition in Townsville Maritime Museum
• The museum’s Dark Victory – Operation Jaywick video is showing at Changi Chapel & Museum
• War and Peace in the Pacific 75 Home Front exhibition at Jackson Barracks Military Museum, Chalmette USA
• Guardians of Sunda Strait exhibition at Battleship New Jersey, Camden USA.

 

70th anniversary of the launch of HMAS Vampire (II) – October 27

The museum will mark the 70th anniversary of the launch of one of our major attractions the HMAS Vampire (II) with new research and publication on the vessel’s history.

 

Education

The museum’s exhibitions will provide students with the opportunity to investigate the history and importance of the Australian Navy. This will be complemented by virtual excursion offerings for students nationwide.

 

Further activities will be added to the program throughout the year.