In this section
Commerce – The working sea
 |
Commerce - The working seaCore exhibition | main building | |
Abalone, whales or pearls - Australians have long forged a living from the sea, however controversially. This exhibition includes relics of our whaling past, including harpoons, a whale cannon and a selection of sailors' scrimshaw (decorative carvings on whale bone or other animal's tusks and shell).
Our ocean highways link us to the world. Learn more about our "wharfies" through personal items and the monumental Wharfies Mural painted on the walls of the Waterside Workers Federation canteen in Sydney in the 1950s-1960s. Relive our shipping past with ship models and portraits as well as photos spanning 100 years of Sydney's working harbour.
Outside the museum, experience our shipping heritage firsthand. Settle in to watch the hectic water traffic on Darling Harbour including the movements of big ocean liners and the buzzing around of harbour ferries and water taxis.
Monthly Highlights
 | Macquarie's Light 200th anniversary of the govenor's legacy. |
 | On Their Own A better life for child migrants? |
 | Endeavour Circumnavigation Voyage of a lifetime |
 | Quest for the South Magnetic Pole The history of magnetism |
 | Sons of Sindbad Capturing the 'last days of sail' |