Tag: 125th Commonwealth Naval Force Federation Anniversary Fleet Review

An International Fleet Review will be held on Sydney Harbour on Saturday the 21st of March to celebrate the 125th anniversary of Australia’s colonial navies federating into the Commonwealth Naval Forces, which later combined with the British Empire’s Australian Squadron to form the current Royal Australian Navy.

The actual anniversary is today, Sunday the 1st of March.

There will be no fireworks display as part of this event, which tend to be reserved for RAN anniversaries or national anniversaries such as Centenaries Of Federation & Bicentenaries’ Of European Settlement. As is often the case with fleet reviews, it is based around a naval exercise, this time being the biannual Exercise Kakadu.

Participants in Exercise Kakadu & thus, the International Fleet Review currently are:

• Royal Australian Navy
• Royal New Zealand Navy
• Royal Canadian Navy
• French Navy
• Indian Navy
• Republic Of Fiji Navy
• Indonesian Navy
• Japan Maritime Self-Defence Force
• Royal Malaysian Navy
• Papua New Guinea Defence Force Maritime Element
• Philippine Navy
• Republic Of Singapore Navy
• Royal Thai Navy
• Tongan Maritime Force
• Vietnam People’s Navy
• Kiribati Police Service
• Samoa Police Service
• Cook Islands Police Service

6,000 personnel from the above participants currently will feature in the International Fleet Review on just under 30 ships, with around 17 berthed & anchored in eastern Sydney Harbour. This is currently the largest gathering of international warships on Sydney Harbour since the iconic 2013 edition, which celebrated the 100th anniversary of the 1st entry of RAN ships into Sydney Harbour. 1.5 years ago, a Monarchical Fleet Review was held for the 1st time ever, though with only 5 RAN ships.

With 17 countries currently attending, its international representation equals the 2013 International Fleet Review, though at least 7 warships less are attending so far.

The schedule for the International Fleet Review day is below:

• 6am to 12pm: Ceremonial Ship Entry (a new warship enters the Harbour approx. every 20 minutes)
• 2pm to 4pm: International Fleet Review (includes RAAF-RAN Aerial Display from 2:45pm-3:15pm & a Ceremonial Gun Salute at 3:45pm)
• 4pm-6pm: Public Boating Sail Past (anti-clockwise around Fort Denison, Clark & Shark Islands up to but excluding Sows & Pigs Reef)
• 6:45pm-7:40pm: Historic Flotilla Procession (begins at Farm Cove, goes south of Fort Denison to clockwise around Shark Island, then clockwise around Clark Island, north of Fort Denison, past the Opera House, under the Harbour Bridge, concluding at Blues Point)

1.5 million people attended the International Fleet Review in 2013. However, most of the crowd was mainly there for the Spectacular in the evening as fireworks on Sydney Harbour are more popular than fleet reviews since the turn of the Millennium so a significantly smaller crowd is expected than in 2013. However, it should be significantly higher in attendance compared to the 2024 Monarchical Fleet Review except around the Sydney Opera House’s Southern Forecourt, where it should be just as busy as on that occasion, where it reached capacity.

A program booklet is being made for the International Fleet Review. However, it is not yet on sale. Tickets for cruises though are already! (The below list updates):

• Princess Cruises (5 cruises available)

There are currently no confirmed planned broadcasts of the event.

What Is A ‘Fleet Review’?

A fleet review is essentially an inspection of a navy & are rare occasions – occurring roughly once every decade on Sydney Harbour. However, the past 4 naval reviews that went ahead including the upcoming one were spaced apart with another by 2 years so having 2 in 2 years isn’t exactly rare lately. All naval reviews bar the inaugural one were held on Sydney Harbour. However, the 1988 one was also held in Melbourne’s Port Phillip Bay, which was where the 1920 inaugural edition was held also as a thank you for the RAN’s effort in World War I.

During a fleet review, the reviewer will be stationed on a ‘flagship’ – the main vessel used to review the fleet. In 2026, the reviewer, highly likely the Governor-General Of Australia, Sam Mostyn, will be stationed on His Majesty’s Australian Ship (HMAS) Leeuwin, an RAN hydrographic surveyor which was last used for the role in 2013. Garden Island is the beginning & end of the flagship’s journey as it is Sydney Harbour’s main naval base. HMAS Leeuwin will then travel around Sydney Harbour to inspect the 17 berthed and anchored naval vessels & for their sailors to salute and give 3 cheers to the reviewer. Mid-way through, sailing naval vessels will parade east (entering Sydney Harbour 20 minutes into the Review) to west past the flagship, accompanied by an RAAF-RAN aerial display & the sailors on board those sailing naval vessels will also salute and give 3 cheers to the reviewer. There will also be a Ceremonial Gun Salute just before HMAS Leeuwin reaches its penultimate ship to review.

Foreshore Vantage Points

Below are the land vantage points for the day of the International Fleet Review with our ratings for each & the best event associated with that vantage point:

• McKell Park (80% good for International Fleet Review)
• Duff Reserve (75% good for International Fleet Review)
• Dumeresq Reserve (65% good for International Fleet Review)
• Cremorne Point Reserve (55% good for International Fleet Review)
• Murray Rose Pool & Blackburn Gardens (50% good for International Fleet Review)
• Hermitage Foreshore (50% good for International Fleet Review)
• Athol Lawn (45% good for International Fleet Review0
• Nielsen Park Headland (40% good for International Fleet Review)
• Bradleys Head Amphitheatre (40% good for International Fleet Review)
• Taronga Zoo (35% good for International Fleet Review)
• Rose Bay Foreshore excluding Lyne Park & Dumeresq Reserve (30% good for International Fleet Review)
• Roberston Park (30% good for International Fleet Review)
• Strickland Estate (25% good for International Fleet Review)
• The Domain: Mrs Macquarie’s Point (25% good for International Fleet Review)
• Georges Head Lookout (25% good for International Fleet Review)
• Nielsen Park Beach (25% good for International Fleet Review)
• Embarkation Park (25% good for International Fleet Review)
• Steyne Park (20% good for International Fleet Review)
• Dudley Page Reserve (15% good for International Fleet Review)
• Lyne Park (10% good for International Fleet Review)
• Kurraba Point Reserve (5% good for International Fleet Review)
• North Head (95% good for Ceremonial Ship Entry)
• South Head (90% good for Ceremonial Ship Entry)
• Yarranabbe Park (5% good for Ceremonial Ship Entry)
• Sydney Opera House (100% good for Historic Flotilla Procession)
• Mary Booth Lookout (100% good for Historic Flotilla Procession)
• Hickson Road Reserve (100% good for Historic Flotilla Procession)
• Bradfield Park (100% good for Historic Flotilla Procession)
• Luna Park (100% good for Historic Flotilla Procession)
• Blues Point Reserve (100% good for Historic Flotilla Procession)
• Royal Botanic Gardens (95% good for Historic Flotilla Procession)
• Dawes Point (Tar-Ra) Park (85% good for Historic Flotilla Procession)
• Campbell’s Cove (80% good for Historic Flotilla Procession)
• The Domain: Tarpeian Lawn (75% good for Historic Flotilla Procession)
• Lavender Bay Parklands (65% good for Historic Flotilla Procession)
• Goat Island (65% good for Historic Flotilla Procession)
• Barangaroo Reserve (65% good for Historic Flotilla Procession)
• Circular Quay (60% good for Historic Flotilla Procession)
• Illoura Reserve (40% good for Historic Flotilla Procession)
• Simmons Point (45% good for Historic Flotilla Procession)
• Lookes Avenue Reserve (45% good for Historic Flotilla Procession)
• Thorton Park (45% good for Historic Flotilla Procession)
• Yurulbin Park (15% good for Historic Flotilla Procession)
• Pirrama Park (10% good for Historic Flotilla Procession)
• Mort Bay Park (5% good for Historic Flotilla Procession)
• Giba Park (5% good for Historic Flotilla Procession)

Clark and Shark Islands & Fort Denison will be closed on event day.

There is no 100% perfect vantage point. To see everything, you need to travel around.

Transport

It is best to catch public transport. Queues are expected at ferry stops so allow plenty of extra ferry travel time & be patient. No round ferry trips are permitted – you must alight at the terminus of the ferry’s journey. Additional Route 324/325 buses (from Walsh Bay Arts Precinct to Robertson Park at Watsons Bay & return) will run every 8 minutes between 11am & 4pm.

Trackwork & Possible Bus/Ferry Impacts

The entire Sydney Metro will be closed on event day for trackwork. It will be replaced by buses between Tallawong and Chatswood while trains will replace the Metro at Epping, Sydenham & between Chatswood and Redfern. Hop off/on at Redfern for buses to/from Waterloo.

In the morning, on the Central Coast line, some trains towards Hornsby will be replaced by buses at the stop of Cowan only. All other stops on that line will still have a train stopping as per the usual timetable.

If crowd volumes increase or traffic is too congested, New South Wales (NSW) Police may implement other road closures near vantage points which may impact some bus services in local areas. Ferries may reach capacity & experience delays during the event.

Heading home, trains to Brisbane will terminate at Casino due to trackwork. If you need to go to Brisbane, catch the replacement coach. If you need to go to Kyogle, catch the replacement mini-bus.

Driving

If you want to drive, expect heavier traffic approaching vantage points with parking around many of the local vantage points very limited with fees applied so allow extra driving time. Bradley’s Head Road will be closed at the intersection with Athol Wharf Road from 6am to 4pm. NSW Police may implement other road closures near vantage points if crowd volumes increase or traffic is too congested.

Boating Details

Below is a schedule of all boating restrictions with a map being available here or below. All exclusion zones will be marked by yellow buoys & official patrol vessels.

• All day: 250 metre exclusion zone around all naval vessels
• All day: No stopping, drifting & anchoring applies along the Sail Past route
• 6am to 8pm: 6-knot (11km/h) speed & no wash restriction between the Sydney Harbour Bridge & South/Middle Head
• From 6am: Exclusion zones around Garden Island, in-between Clark and Shark Islands & around Athol Buoy.

All exclusion zones will be deactivated & the above ‘No stopping, drifting & anchoring’ rule will end the following day on Sunday the 22nd of March at 1pm.

Recommended Harbour Vantage Points

There will be courtesy moorings at the following places (except those who names are italicised) for the day of the International Fleet Review with the number of courtesy moorings (note: plural), our ratings for each location & the best event associated with those places next to each listing:

• Rose Bay (x4) (65% good for International Fleet Review)
• Vaucluse Bay (x1) (65% good for International Fleet Review)
• Watsons Bay (x1) (60% good for International Fleet Review)
• Camp Cove (x1) (60% good for International Fleet Review)
• Middle Of Watsons Bay-Chowder Bay-Shark Island Triangle (60% good for International Fleet Review)
• Athol Bay (x4) (55% good for International Fleet Review)
• Taylors Bay (x1) (30% good for International Fleet Review)
• Waters directly north & south of Fort Denison (30% good for International Fleet Review)
• Chowder Bay (x1) (25% good for International Fleet Review)
• Hermit Bay (x2) (20% good for International Fleet Review)
• In-between Bottle And Glass Point & Parsley Bay (x1) (20% good for International Fleet Review)
• Tasman Sea (100% good for Ceremonial Ship Entry)
• Manly Cove (100% good for Ceremonial Ship Entry)
• Middle Harbour (100% good for Ceremonial Ship Entry)
• Lady Bay (100% good for Ceremonial Ship Entry)
• Obelisk Bay (100% good for Ceremonial Ship Entry)
• Farm Cove (100% good for Historic Flotilla Procession)
• Circular Quay (100% good for Historic Flotilla Procession)
• Lavender Bay (100% good for Historic Flotilla Procession)

There is no 100% perfect vantage point. To see everything, you need to travel around where allowed.

This post updates.