Celebrating 70 years of HMAS Vampire (II) with the Festival of the Bat
The Australian National Maritime Museum will celebrate the 70th anniversary of HMAS Vampire (II) with the launch of a new publication on the ship's anniversary, Tuesday 27 October, followed by the Festival of the Bat across Saturday 31 October and Sunday 1 November 2026.
Launched from Cockatoo Island in 1956, the Daring-class destroyer became known to generations of sailors as "The Mean Machine" and affectionately as "The Bat". Today, HMAS Vampire (II) is the largest museum object in the Southern Hemisphere and one of the most recognisable vessels in the Museum's collection.
Anniversary publication launch - Tuesday 27 October
On the anniversary itself, the Museum will launch a new publication, Last of the Big Guns with a talk by Museum Curator of Navy Stirling Smith and historian Catie Gilchrist exploring the history of the vessel.
Festival of the Bat - Saturday 31 October and Sunday 1 November
Across the weekend, visitors can experience the Vampire from fresh perspectives through special tours, creative programs, family activities, live music and commemorative experiences.
Drawing the Bat: a three-hour pastel masterclass aboard the vessel with acclaimed Australian naval artist Robert McRae.
The Mean Machine Treasure Hunt: crews follow clues and collect hidden puzzle pieces across the ship in a free, bookable challenge.
History of the Bat - In Three Acts and Three Locations: a special harbour experience tracing the vessel's story from the Museum to Cockatoo Island, developed with Harbour Trust.
Kids on Deck: Sunday activities for young visitors, including badge making, Navy dress-ups, face painting and creative bat-themed crafts.
Royal Australian Navy Band: the Jazz Ensemble performs two free sets aboard Vampire on Sunday afternoon.
HMAS Vampire 70th Birthday Cake: a spectacular 3D cake model of the ship will be cut as part of Sunday's celebrations.
Festival keepsakes: limited-edition Mean Machine and Vampire Sports Club T-shirts, along with free badges.
Also planned are short volunteer-led Spotlight Tours, a weekend film program, a special birthday broadcast from the Radio Room, bat-themed food at HarbourWatch and a drop-in life-drawing session with Noni Cragg and the Gladdy Drawing Club.
Peter Fray, Deputy Director of the Museum said the anniversary was an opportunity to celebrate both the ship and the people connected to it.
'For 70 years, HMAS Vampire has connected generations of naval personnel, families and visitors with Australia's maritime story. Festival of the Bat brings those stories to life and invites everyone to step aboard, explore this extraordinary vessel and help us celebrate a remarkable milestone.'
Event details
Anniversary publication launch and free talk: Tuesday 27 October 2026, 12 noon Festival of the Bat: Saturday 31 October and Sunday 1 November 2026, 10 am-4 pm Venue: Australian National Maritime Museum, Darling Harbour Bookings: Selected programs require registration; full program and booking details www.sea.museum/festival-of-the-bat
