Newcastle Museum will set sail for three days of hands-on family fun with the return of the Model Newcastle Regatta.
It’s a highlight of the Workshop Way facility’s popular Model Newcastle exhibition currently on display.
Staged across the Australia Day long weekend (24–26 January), the regatta will transform the museum with a giant indoor pond, where visitors can experience a captivating world of miniature marine craft, “live” demonstrations and interactive activities designed for all ages.
On display is an impressive fleet of model boats, ranging from steam-powered vessels to intricate naval and merchant ships.
Incredibly, some of them have taken more than 200 hours to build for maximum accuracy.
Beyond the water, the event also celebrates Newcastale’s rich creative and industrial history, with detailed models of railways, cityscapes, puppetry and doll houses bringing the region’s stories to life.
The festival will culminate with the much-loved Sailor’s Sunday Special on 25 January featuring science shows, food trucks and hands-on workshops where children can create their own mini tugboats or bark canoes.
City of Newcastle (CN) director museum libraries archive and learning Julie Baird said the event would build on Model Newcastle’s celebration of history, creativity and community.
“School holidays are the perfect time to explore, learn and play,” she explained.
“So, we are proud to facilitate accessible, exciting events where children could discover a new passion during their break.
“We’re thrilled to partner with the Newcastle Marine Modellers Association, who will bring their expertly crafted models to present live demonstrations of docking manoeuvres and display circuits across the three-day regatta, providing a unique way to learn more about our harbour city.”
Additional activities throughout the month include science shows explaining the power of steam and the 1989 Newcastle earthquake, LEGO challenges, marionette workshops, and Minecraft sessions.
Families can also enjoy complementary programs across Newcastle’s cultural venues, from library story times and craft sessions inspired by Australian illustrators to the Dr Hubble Bubble Spectacular at Civic Theatre, shadow-puppet workshops at Newcastle Art Gallery, and up-close encounters with native wildlife at Blackbutt Reserve.
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