ICMM partners programICMM partners program 

The Partners Program has been carefully curated to reveal the best that Sydney has to offer.

Attendance at the Congress as a partner provides a unique opportunity to obtain a curated insight into the cultural and maritime traditions of Sydney.

In addition to attendance to the four formal events – opening ANMM reception, conference dinner, Australian Museum reception, the official Sydney Harbour based field study day, there will be 4, catered half day volunteer guide led tours.

If you are delayed or unable to join us please call Kimberley as soon as possible on 0474 524 244.

Monday 14 September - Woolloomooloo and beyond

We will be catching the 8:41 am ferry from Pyrmont Bay wharf to Circular Quay. The Wharf is marked on the museum plan in the ICMM Program Booklet and is a short walk from the entrance. Please arrive a few minutes early so as to tap on (using a credit or debit card) before we leave.

You will be met at the Wharf by the Museum’s Manager, Collections and Access, Sally Fletcher and volunteer Fairlie Clifton.

Arriving in Circular Quay we will walk around the foreshore to the Sydney Opera House aiming to arrive at the Welcome Centre by 9.30 for a 9.45 hour-long tour of the building. Note that there are many stairs in this tour so sensible shoes are advised. Sally Fletcher will have the tickets for the tour.

Following the tour, we will walk through the Royal Botanic Gardens and stop for coffee in the Farm Cove Eatery before going to the Art Gallery of NSW. Entry to the general exhibitions is free and following an hour in the galleries we will have a light lunch in the Gallery Café. The afternoon is free and, depending on your interests, Sally and Fairlie will be able to suggest options.

Tuesday 15 September - Eastern suburbs coastal walking tour

We will again be going by ferry, this time via Circular Quay to Watsons Bay. Museum Outreach Program Officer, Hannah Newman will be leading the tour, accompanied by volunteers.

We will meet at Pyrmont Bay Wharf to catch the 9:11 am ferry, arriving at Circular Quay at 9:37 am in time to catch the 9:45 am ferry to Watson’s Bay. The morning will be spent discovering the history of South Head, including visiting the site of the 1853 wreck of the Dunbar – one of Australia’s worst maritime disasters – and the Macquarie Lighthouse. Note that this will be a walk of between 2-3 hours. Following a light lunch we will catch the 324 bus back to Town Hall.

Thursday 17 September - Blue Mountains Excursion

We will be catching the train to Blackheath and visiting one of the spectacular viewing platforms

Meet at the Central Station Grand Concourse at 8:15am at the entrance barrier to the platforms for Country trains in order to catch the 8:25am to Blackheath. This Concourse is on a level above the suburban train network. Look for signs to platforms 16-23.

Although we are only travelling around 120 kilometres the journey will take a little over two hours, arriving at 10:38am at Blackheath. We will take 20 minutes or so to have a cup of coffee and then go by taxi to Govett’s Leap. This offers extraordinary views of the sandstone escarpments of the Blue Mountains, and its cliffs, waterfalls and canyons. Some may prefer simply to take in the view. Others may enjoy the challenge of the cliff top track to Evans Lookout with birdwatching, wildflowers and plenty of lookouts. This takes close to an hour with lots of steps.

Taxis will collect us and take us to Kimberley’s mountain cottage aiming to arrive around 12:30pm where we will have a light lunch, leaving around 1:45pm to catch the 2:03pm train for the ten-minute ride to Katoomba. Again we will be met by taxis and taken to see the iconic Three Sisters. There will be time to explore and take photos before taxis collect us for the return to the train, catching the 3:46pm to Central, arriving at 5:47pm. 

Friday 18 September - A morning with Australian native animals

Museum Project Officer Kimberley Webber and volunteer Fairlie Clifton will meet you at the Pyrmont Bay Wharf to catch 9:11 am ferry to Circular Quay, arriving at 9:37 am in time to catch the 9:50 am ferry to Taronga Zoo arriving at 10.02. Kimberley will give you your zoo entry tickets on the day.

Partners will be met at the wharf by Juliana Conclaves, a Museum Officer and a volunteer at the zoo. She is generously giving her time to take you on a guided tour with a particular focus on Australian native animals. Following the tour, you can return to the city on the ferry (leaving every half hour) or explore the nearby suburbs of Mosman and Balmoral. The 100 bus leaves every 10 minutes from Taronga and goes through Mosman, Cremorne and Neutral Bay to the city, ending at Town Hall.

Note that there will be considerable walking involved and we will be outdoors so flat shoes, hat and jacket required.