Sydney has welcomed the Royal Australian Navy into the harbour and hoisted a giant navy flag to mark the beginning of celebrations for this week's International Fleet Review.
Eighteen visiting warships, 16 tall ships and 19 RAN vessels will take part in the maritime spectacular which will also feature more than 60 aircraft, 10 military bands, 8000 sailors and a huge fireworks display.
"There will be ships in the harbour, there will be ships alongside, there will be fireworks," Australian Fleet Commander Rear Admiral Tim Barrett told reporters at the flag raising ceremony at Darling Harbour on Monday.
Prince Harry is also scheduled to attend during his whirlwind royal tour of Australia.
The review commemorates the arrival of the Royal Australian Navy fleet in Sydney for the first time 100 years ago, in October 1913.
News that makes sense
Your trusted source for staying up-to-date with the world around you. Get free daily news updates and analysis, straight to your inbox.
The NSW government is urging visitors heading to the celebrations on the weekend to take public transport, with thousands of extra bus and train services added for the eight-day navy event.
Transport Minister Gladys Berejiklian said an extra 4000 bus services and 1000 train services had been added to the timetable for the big nautical celebration, which runs from October 3-11.
"All these services have been added to the timetable to make it as easy as possible for people to get to the celebrations and home again afterwards," she said in a statement.
"There will also be extra buses on all major corridors into and out of the CBD and to other popular harbour vantage points.
Ms Berejiklian said many of the extra bus and train services would run for Saturday's Ceremonial Fleet Review and Fireworks and Lightshow Spectacular.
Many roads will be closed around the Sydney Harbour foreshore during the eight-day celebration.
