HM Bark Endeavour replica

The HM Bark Endeavour replica is accurate replica of the original ship of the same name that was captained by Lieutenant James Cook on his circumnavigation from 1768 to 1771. In 1770 Cook explored and charted the east coast of Australia. HM Bark Endeavour replica represents one of the most important ships of European discovery for Australia, and also represents the ship that led to the later colonisation of Australia by England in 1788.

It is the largest sailing ship replica and largest timber sailing vessel in the Southern Hemisphere, and is a world-recognised example of replica ship building. It is able to accurately portray and interpret the arrangement, sailing operations and characteristics of the original vessel, while also being operated as a commercial vessel in survey.

On board the beautifully crafted ship, you glimpse a sailor’s life during one of history’s great maritime adventures. Look and you’ll see almost 30 kilometres of rigging and 750 wooden blocks or pulleys! The masts and spars carry 28 sails that spread over 1000 square metres of canvas.

In the galley below is the huge stove, called a firehearth — state of the art in 1768. The Great Cabin is where Cook worked and dined, sharing the space with famous botanist Joseph Banks, as you can see when you glance around.

Since it was commissioned in 1994 Endeavour has sailed over 170,000 nautical miles, more than twice around the world, visited 29 countries and many Pacific islands, and opened as a museum in 116 ports. Hundreds of thousands of visitors have come on board to see how Cook and his men lived.

Most days, Endeavour stands majestically at the Australian National Maritime Museum's wharves open for visiting, but it does enjoy regular trips along the Australian coast that the public can join.