Ships sailing into Sydney Harbour today looked like a scene out of a war film.
Eighteen warships, 16 tall ships and 19 other vessels from the Royal Australian Navy sailed passed iconic Sydney landmarks this week for the once-in-a-lifetime event.
The maritime spectacular, which will run for a week, will also feature more than 60 aircrafts, multiple military bands and 8,000 sailors. Britain’s Prince Harry will be officiating the events which will also include a huge fireworks display over the weekend.
The Royal Fleet Review will commemorate 100 years since the arrival of the Royal Australian Navy Fleet to Sydney’s shores in October 1913.
Australian, Canadian, New Zealand and British ships sailed into the harbour just before midday on Thursday. Musicians from both the Royal Navy Band’s of New Zealand and Australia serenaded onlookers from aboard Sydney’s Manly ferries.
Additional public transport services will be running across the week as parts of Sydney Harbour remain closed to traffic for ship-watchers. around 1.7 million people are expected to visit the harbour during the week-long maritime festival.
Visitors will also be given the rare opportunity to board some of the vessels, but organisers advise that tickets will only be available for purchase in advance online and will not be sold on site.
For more information visit http://fleetreviewtransport.info/