Wet start to International Fleet Review

Sydney's skies opened as tall ships sailed into Sydney Harbour for the International Fleet Review. Source: AAP

SEVENTEEN tall ships have withstood a wet and windy start to a once-in-a-century "mega weekend" of nautical festivities on Sydney Harbour.

The tall ships made their way into the harbour in heavy rain on Thursday, watched by hundreds of locals, tourists and backpackers lining the foreshore.

International Fleet Review director Nick Bramwell was sure the bad weather wouldn't dampen the spirits of sailors on board the antique boats.

"This is only fresh water, so this is fine," he said.

The tall ships, 18 visiting warships and 19 Royal Australian Navy vessels are taking part in the historic International Fleet Review, which runs until October 11.

The maritime spectacular will feature more than 60 aircraft, 10 military bands, 8000 sailors and a huge fireworks display on Saturday.

Prince Harry is also set to drop by on a whirlwind tour of Australia.

Barbara Campbell, captain of UK tall ship the Lord Nelson, was thrilled to have arrived in Sydney's iconic harbour.

"It felt brilliant, absolutely fantastic," Captain Campbell told reporters.

"We had a few strong gusts as we were approaching the heads, but the interest we've had in the ship has been phenomenal."

NSW Premier Barry O'Farrell said the International Fleet Review would showcase the city to 1.4 million visitors, and that Saturday night's fireworks show would be bigger than New Year's Eve.

NSW Tourism Minister George Souris described the event as "perhaps the mega-weekend of them all".

Extra cops would be on hand to ensure spectators and sailors behaved, NSW Police Superintendent Craig Sheridan said.

Alexis Rigby, who watched the ships enter the harbour with grandmother Janet, just hoped the weather improved.

"I was excited but I'm not too happy about the weather," she said.

The review commemorates the arrival of the Royal Australian Navy fleet in Sydney for the first time in October 1913.

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