Take a kayak tour of Vivid Sydney at the Maritime Museum this year

• The Australian National Maritime Museum is hosting a colourful projection for Vivid Sydney, telling a crucial Dreamtime story.
• Hypnotic visuals will be accompanied by an Aboriginal choir that will echo across Darling Harbour.
• The museum is also offering kayak tours during Vivid Sydney so you can see the lights from a new perspective.

One of the more underrated projections during Vivid Sydney each year is found on the rooftop of the Australian National Maritime Museum. Much like the Sydney Opera House sails and the Museum of Contemporary Art, the facade of this historic waterside museum will be hosting an immersive blend of animation, sound and storytelling between Friday, May 23 and Saturday, June 14.

The Darling Harbour museum will also serve as the launch pad for the Vivid Moonlight Sea Kayaking Experience, offering a unique way to see the lights as they dance on the harbour waters. The 90-minute kayaking experience, priced at $130 for adults and $95 for children, leaves on a guided tour at 6pm or 8:30pm on select nights during Vivid.

And while it’s been offered for the past few years, like many things in Vivid, information about the tours gets lost amongst the excitement of big-ticket concerts, fascinating keynotes and, of course, the free Vivid Light Walk.

However, the kayaking only takes place around Darling Harbour, so you won’t be scurrying into Circular Quay to see the lights projected on Sydney Opera House while people party all around Circular Quay, including at the newly reopened Cruise Bar.

READ MORE: We’ve put together everything you need to know about the Vivid Sydney 2025 program.

What projection is on the National Maritime Museum this year?

This year, the Australian National Maritime Museum will light up with a story by Walbunja and Ngarigo artist Cheryl Davison, recounting the history of Mirriyaal, the creator who shaped the first humans, Tunku and Ngaadi, and entrusted them with the task of creation. The Dreamtime story celebrates an important aspect of Aboriginal storytelling, visually tracking the creators’ journey as they use a simple stick and stone to shape the land, animals and trees.

As the story goes, eventual conflict would thrust Tunku into the sky as the moon, while Ngaadi’s grief created rivers, oceans and the native waratah flower. An accompanying soundscape has been designed by the Djinama Yilaga choir, which can be heard echoing across Darling Harbour each night.

The projection will be brought to life on Thursday, May 29 with Sea Gathering, a special one-night-only free event that’ll take place on the museum’s dedicated stage with a live performance by Davison and the choir. Scheduled in between 6pm and 8pm, the evening offers a chance for families to fully immerse themselves in this underrated part of Vivid Sydney as guests are guided along Pyrmont Bridge.

READ MORE: For the first time in the event’s 15 year history, more than 75% of Vivid Sydney’s program will be free.

Vivid Sydney: National Maritime Museum

Where: 2 Murray St, Sydney NSW 2000
When: Friday, May 23 – Saturday, June 14.
Price: Free

sea.museum