Festival of the Bat
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Celebrating 70 years of Australia’s largest single exhibit
Step aboard HMAS Vampire (II) for a weekend celebrating 70 years of stories, service and life at sea.
Launched from Cockatoo Island in 1956, HMAS Vampire (II) has become one of Australia’s most iconic naval vessels. Known as the The Mean Machine and affectionately as The Bat, the vessel has a remarkable history connecting generations of naval personnel, families, maritime communities and visitors.
Join us for two days of tours, performances, activities, stories and experiences celebrating the people and memories that have shaped this extraordinary vessel.
Saturday October 31
Spotlight Tours
Join one of HMAS Vampire’s knowledgeable volunteers for a series of short Spotlight Tours exploring the vessel’s stories, spaces and fascinating details. These bite-sized tours offer a chance to discover something new about the Mean Machine, from the people who know the ship and its history firsthand.
With different topics and stories to discover throughout the day, you can drop in for a quick dose of naval history, hear a great story and get to know HMAS Vampire from a new perspective.
10:30am – 12:30pm | Short 15-minute tours on board | Free | Saturday and Sunday
Film Program
Settle in and explore stories from the sea.
Take a break from exploring HMAS Vampire and catch a selection of films in the Museum Theatre throughout the weekend. The program brings together a range of stories and perspectives connected to naval life, maritime history and the world of the sea.
With films screening across Saturday and Sunday, drop in whenever you like, take a seat and enjoy a little time on the big screen as part of Festival of the Bat.
Drop-in | Museum Theatre | Free | 10am–4pm, Saturday and Sunday
Free Mean Machine Badges
Wear your allegiance to The Bat! Pick up a free Mean Machine badge and celebrate 70 years of HMAS Vampire (II).
Available to pick up when deboarding HMAS Vampire (II) | Saturday and Sunday
HMAS Vampire Radio Operators Birthday Broadcast
Happy birthday, The Bat! Drop into the Vampire Radio Room and listen to communications between the ship and others licenced radio operators around Australia.
10am – 3pm | Free
Sunday November 1
Spotlight Tours
Join one of HMAS Vampire’s knowledgeable volunteers for a series of short Spotlight Tours exploring the vessel’s stories, spaces and fascinating details. These bite-sized tours offer a chance to discover something new about the Mean Machine, from the people who know the ship and its history firsthand.
With different topics and stories to discover throughout the day, you can drop in for a quick dose of naval history, hear a great story and get to know HMAS Vampire from a new perspective.
10:30am – 12:30pm | Short 15-minute tours on board | Free | Saturday and Sunday
Film Program
Settle in and explore stories from the sea.
Take a break from exploring HMAS Vampire and catch a selection of films in the Museum Theatre throughout the weekend. The program brings together a range of stories and perspectives connected to naval life, maritime history and the world of the sea.
With films screening across Saturday and Sunday, drop in whenever you like, take a seat and enjoy a little time on the big screen as part of Festival of the Bat.
Drop-in | Museum Theatre | Free | 10am–4pm, Saturday and Sunday
HMAS Vampire 70th Birthday Cake
Seventy years calls for cake, Bat-shaped cake!
2:30pm | Free | Singing Happy Birthday from the Performance Platform
Royal Australian Navy Jazz Band
Music on deck! We are delighted to be joined by the wonderful members of the Royal Australian Navy Jazz Band bringing the style and sounds to celebrate The Bat’s birthday.
1:30 – 1:50pm | 2:10pm - 2:30pm | Free
The Last of the Big Guns
To celebrate the Vampire’s birthday the Australian National Maritime Museum has produced a new 48-page book on the vessel. With more than 100 photographs, diagrams and illustrations, the book is the ultimate guide to Vampire (II)’s rich history in the Royal Australian Navy and its life as Australia’s largest single museum exhibit.
Available at the ANMM gift shop on the birthday day and beyond.
Limited Edition T-Shirts
Take a piece of The Bat home with you.
Celebrate 70 years of HMAS Vampire with a limited-edition range of T-shirts inspired by the vessel and its history.
Available exclusively from the Australian National Maritime Museum shop, the collection includes replica designs drawn from ANMM Collection items, with just 100 of each design produced. You can also pick up a HMAS Vampire tote bag to carry your maritime treasures home.
Whether you’re a longtime Vampire fan, a naval history enthusiast or simply want a souvenir from Festival of the Bat, these limited-edition pieces are made for collectors and crew alike.
