Sydney Maritime Museum Ltd t/a Sydney Heritage Fleet

The Lady Hopetoun and Port Jackson Marine Steam Museum”, the forerunner of the Sydney Heritage Fleet, was founded in 1965 by a group of public-spirited individuals to preserve Sydney’s 1902 VIP steam yacht Lady Hopetoun. The Fleet now comprises 10 operational historical vessels one of the largest collections in the world. SHF is a community-based non-profit organisation.

Our mission is:
To build and maintain an internationally recognised centre of excellence in maritime heritage for the benefit of all Australians by presenting through research, acquisition, conservation, restoration, education and operation, our continuing maritime history.

The Fleet is funded by donations, bequests, grants, members’ subscriptions, vessel charters, and paying passengers and visitors.

The Fleet’s 1000 strong membership and 400 dedicated volunteer workers restore, operate, and maintain the fleet.

Our oldest vessel, the 1000 tonne 1874 iron barque James Craig, has been fully restored and puts to sea under full sail. The Fleet operates several highly significant vessels: the 1902 steam tug Waratah, the 1902 VIP steam launch Lady Hopetoun and the 1903 schooner Boomerang.

Under restoration in our shipyard are the 1912 ferry Kanangra, the 1950s wooden speed boat Kookaburra II and the 1927 pilot vessel John Oxley.

The Fleet has 55 small heritage boats a large collection of marine engines and a collection of over fifty model ships.

The Fleet’s Maritime Records and Research Centre maintains a comprehensive research library and archive which includes photographs, ships’ plans, diaries, logs and journals.

The Fleet provides training for sailing ship deckhands and steam engineers and runs several youth programs.

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