Australia II: 40 Years On — The Celebration
Dates
Saturday 23 September - Monday 25 September
Free entry to the Museum on Tuesday 26 September.
Free general admission to the WA Maritime Museum
Free activities
Site access information
WA Maritime Museum is mostly accessible, excluding tours aboard the HMAS Ovens. Call 1300 134 081 for assistance. More about accessibility and amenities >
We are throwing the doors open for an extra long weekend in celebration of the 40 year anniversary of the legendary yachting triumph which brought the America's Cup Down Under!
Join us for a FREE program of celebration and entertainment at the WA Maritime Museum and beyond. The harbour will come alive with festivities including family friendly fun.
Celebrate in green and gold or your best 80s attire and re-live the win through the exhibition Australia II: 40 Years On in true boxing kangaroo style.
Inside the Museum across the four day celebration, there will be plenty of FREE activities on offer. Test your knowledge with an 80s style quiz show, dance away to top tunes at a silent disco, snap a selfie with our boxing kangaroo mascots, check out a fashion show and dance performance or take in a film in our unique, boutique, 22-seat, 180° curved dome cinema!
On Sunday 24 September, Victoria Quay will burst at the seams with a 1980s themed free family friendly celebration with iconic 80s rock bands taking to the stage including; Hoodoo Gurus, Baby Animals, Voyager and, Slim Jim and the FATTS Bands. As the sun sets, experience the story of the ‘unwinnable race’ told by a sound and light drone show capturing the iconic battle between the yachts - Australia II and Liberty.
Find out more on the Sunday 24 September celebration.
Getting here
Parking will be unavailable at WA Maritime Museum and surrounding areas on Sunday 24 September. We recommend you allow plenty of time to reach WA Maritime Museum.
Take Transperth to the Australia II 40 Years on Celebration on Sunday 24 September.
Fremantle Station is just a short walk from the event, so catching the train will be your most convenient travel option and travel on all Transperth services is free all day.
Plan your journey using the Transperth JourneyPlanner before you travel.
If you're driving to one of our stations parking is free on weekends and public holidays. For more information click here.
Full program
Daily | 9.30am - 4.30pm
Level G
Ages 4+
Make an iconic boxing kangaroo battle-flag kite and colourful wind spinner. Colour your own Australia II hat to take home, and decorate the Aussies or the Americans for the win on our digital screen.
Daily | 11.30am, 1.30pm, 3.30pm
Level 1 Function Room
Ages 6+ with their adults
Get ready for a journey back in time, testing your 80s pop culture knowledge in a fun quiz format for families, with multiple choice, interactive games and video segments.
Daily | 9.30am - 4.30pm
Level 1 Function Room
Everyone is welcome to grab some headphones and join our 80s themed silent disco running throughout the day.
Saturday 23 and Sunday 24 September | 2.30pm
Monday 25 September | 10.30am
Level 1 Function Room
Discover the secrets to solving the Rubik's Cube and watch live demonstrations from Speedcubing Champions solving a range of puzzle cubes including the iconic 3x3, Skewb, Megaminx, Pyraminx and more. Visitors will have the opportunity to try the puzzles and to ask questions. During the session participants can enter the draw to win a Speedcubing Prize Pack.
Daily | 9.30am - 5pm
All areas
An iconic symbol of Australia II’s challenge of the America’s Cup, the boxing kangaroo has become synonymous with Australia’s proud sporting heritage . Look out for guest appearances over the three-day celebration.
Daily | 9.30am - 11.15am
All areas
Get ready to be welcomed and entertained by local performers from Fliptease in fun 80s roller-skates.
Daily | 11am, 12pm, 1pm
Various areas
Presented by The Dance Collective.
Senior students from The Dance Collective hit the dance floor with a high energy performance celebrating the music and moves of the 80s.
Saturday 23 September | 10.30am, 12.30pm
Monday 25 September | 12.30pm, 2.30pm
Mezzanine and Level G
Step back to the boldest and flashiest decade in modern fashion history – the 1980s! From puffed shoulders & power suits to neon make-up and leg- warmers, this was a time where ‘more was more’.
Re-live your style highs and lows as the WA Museum joins forces with St Patrick’s Community Centre, Wear2 Fremantle, Vivien’s Model Management, Vivien’s Creative and Rock, Paper, Scissors Fremantle to bring you an epic fashion showcase!
Daily | 9.30am - 5pm
All areas
Strike a pose and get your photo taken as a keepsake to remember your visit. Downloadable Photo Booth happy snaps are perfect to share on social media.
Daily | 10am, 10.45am, 11.30am, 12.15pm, 1pm, 1.45pm, 2.30pm, 3.15pm and 4pm
Level 1 Dome
Ages 4+
Let us transport you to other worlds through films specially created for this dome experience, by a local team dedicated to showcasing the wonder of our state and sharing our stories. We’ll be screening films daily that combine the natural world, history, science, technology and adventure, giving you a deeper insight into Western Australia. Enquire at front desk for details.
Saturday 23 September | 2pm and 7pm
Sunday 24 September | 11am
Level G, NWSS Theatre
Bookings essential, view detailed show information
Presented by Theatre 180 and combining the excitement of live theatre against a cinematic backdrop, Taking Liberty by Ingle Knight celebrates the nation defining moment when Australia II won the America’s Cup, ending America’s 132-year dominance of the sport in what became known as the Race of the Century
Sunday 24 September | 2pm – 7.30pm
Victoria Quay Precinct
This 1980s themed, free family-friendly celebration will see Fremantle’s Victoria Quay come alive with iconic 80s rock bands taking to the stage including: Hoodoo Gurus, Baby Animals, Voyager, and Slim Jim and the FATTS.
As the sun sets over the Indian Ocean, experience the story of the ‘unwinnable race’ told by a sound and light drone show capturing the iconic battle between the yachts – Australia II and Liberty.
Tuesday 26 September | 9.30am - 5pm
Australia II Gallery
The WA Maritime Museum is hosting the official breakfast and ABC Perth Radio broadcast for the Australia II’s America’s Cup win anniversary. You can view the activities and see Australia II from the mezzanine and balustrade levels.
Related exhibitions
Celebrate the 40th anniversary of Australia II making history by winning the America’s Cup; the oldest sporting trophy in the world.
