In 2016 we celebrate the Dirk Hartog 400th Anniversary (1616-2016), with the Duyfken replica undertaking a voyage and exhibition program that will take her to Bunbury, Mandurah, Hillarys, Jurien Bay, Dongara, Geraldton, and Denham, culminating with the official ceremony at Cape Inscription on Dirk Hartog Island, on October 25, 2016.
At each of these ports of call, you are invited to step aboard the replica sailing ship Duyfken. Once on board, you can begin your journey of discovery. You will get to see, touch and interact with the sailing and navigational technology of the early 1600s that enabled Dutch mariners to sail halfway around the world from The Netherlands to the Spice Islands of Indonesia.
As a guest aboard Duyfken, you will be amazed at the courage of the crew in the face of harsh living conditions and the great uncertainty that they faced in sailing across the Southern Ocean.
The Duyfken replica that you get to step aboard is now 16 years old, and was completed in 1999 to recognise the importance of the original Duyfken as the first European ship to make land fall on the shores of Australia when it visited the Cape York Peninsula in 1606 – the date that literally put Australia on Europe’s map of the known world.
It also marked the beginning of a period of prolific Dutch maritime activity around Australia’s coastline for new trading opportunities.
One of those early Dutch mariners to make his mark on Australia’s history was Dirk Hartog, who in 1616 landed on the tip of what is now known as Dirk Hartog Island, leaving an inscribed plate to mark his visit. This then became the founding date of the west coast of Australia.
Dates:
- Bunbury: 22 August – 4 September
- Mandurah: 5 September – 14 September
- Hillarys: September – 27 September
- Jurien Bay: 29 September – 3 September
- Dongara: 5 September – 7 September
- Geraldton: 8 October – 16 October
- Denham: 20 October – 23 October
Tickets: http://premier.ticketek.com.au/shows/show.aspx?sh=DUYFEXHI16