Sub Base Platypus is a unique site located in Neutral Bay, Sydney, Australia. The site has a rich history dating back to the early 1900s when it was originally used as a gasworks site. In the early 1960s, the site was acquired by the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) and used as a submarine base until it was decommissioned in the 1990s. During this time, the bas was home to the six Oberon class submarines operated by the RAN.
Not only were the submarines themselves based here, but a torpedo factory, maintenance facilities and a school for submariners provided a complete support structure for them.
Although long retired, several of the Oberons still exist as museum displays. HMS Onslow is close by in Sydney at the National Maritime Museum, while HMS Otway sits in Holbrook.
Getting There
We chose to take public transport because parking in the area is limited. A small carpark on Kiara Close provides somewhere to park if you drive. When we visited, this area was being extended, so perhaps in the future more space will be available.
The closest train station is Milsons Point, so we got off there and walked for only 10 minutes to get to the old submarine base. On the way we passed plenty of cafes and eateries, so grabbing a snack or drink is not a problem.
We entered via an alleyway off High Street, but access is available from Kesterton Park, which has a walkway over the water and an interesting entrance sign. We exited this way, so got to see both. Future plans will have a more official entrance off High Street.
What you will Find at the Base
Today, Sub Base Platypus has been redeveloped and transformed into a public space for the community to enjoy. The site includes a range of facilities and features, including a playground, public spaces, and a memorial to submariners who lost their lives in service to Australia.
The playground is a popular attraction for families, with a range of equipment and play areas designed for children of all ages. The playground has been designed to reflect the history of the site, with play structures shaped like torpedoes and submarines. Stepping stones running through the gardens are labeled with the phonetic alphabet (alpha, bravo, Charlie etc.).
In addition to the playground, Sub Base Platypus is also home to the Submariners Memorial, which honors those who served on the Oberon class submarines, particularly the three men who lost their lives while serving. The memorial includes HMAS Oxley’s anchor and the names of the submarines on the steps.
Although currently closed, the old workshops and torpedo factory are, planned to re-open in the future. On High Street, a series of information boards show large photos of operations in these buildings.
Future Developments
Looking ahead, there are plans to further develop Sub Base Platypus into a cultural precinct that celebrates the site’s rich history and promotes community engagement. The development plans include a range of facilities, including a museum, art galleries, and performance spaces.
What Did We Think?
Overall, Sub Base Platypus is an important and unique site that has been transformed into a valuable community asset. Its history as a submarine base and gasworks site is honored through its public spaces and features, making it a significant and memorable part of Sydney’s cultural landscape.
Lift and stairs to the to of the cliffSubmarine School and workshop buildingsThe gas works Retort HouseSubmariner’s MemorialSteps with the names of the six Oberon class submarines operated by AustraliaWharfSubmarine themed playgroundPhonetic alphabet stepping stonesView over one of the public spacesOld administration building built into the cliff wallView looking over the northern part of the base View over the workshops with the upper walkway on the leftEntrance from Kesterton ParkTorpedo Factory under constructionTorpedo maintenanceInformation board showing the old torpedo factory
Besides plants and trees, the Royal Botanic Garden in Sydney contains many varied and interesting statues. Many are from the early days of the garden when statues formed a major part of its display. Unfortunately removed in large numbers as the gardens developed, many still remain adding to the beauty of the area.
Located on Sydney Harbour in the centre of the city, the gardens are a great place to relax, either looking at the wonderful floral surrounds or watching the boat traffic on the water.
Horses of the Desert Mounted Corps
Located on the Botanic Garden’s exterior, this bronze plaque of an Australian light horseman and three horses commemorates the 140,000 horses sent to serve in the desert campaign in World War One. Only one came home to Australia, which is very sad.
Monument To The Horses Of The Desert Mounted Corps
Morshead Fountain
The Morshead Fountain sits outside the Morshead Fountain Gate entrance to the Royal Botanic Gardens on Shakespeare Place. Lieutenant-General Sir Lesley Morshead was knighted for his defence of Tobruk in World War II. This fountain honours him and the men who served with him.
Morshead Fountain
Cupid
This small bronze statue of cupid on a marble plinth holding a bow and arrow is the work of sculptor Paul R Montford (1868-1938). Cupid marks the exact spot of where the center dome of the Garden Palace once stood.
Cupid Statue
Governor Phillip Fountain
Commemorating Captain Arthur Phillip (1738-1814) the first Governor of New South Wales from 1788 to 1792, this marble and bronze fountain was first unveiled in 1997. Below the statue are three bas reliefs illustrating education, justice and patriotism. Encircling these are four reclining sculptures representing agriculture, commerce, mining and shipping. Bronze bas reliefs illustrate Aboriginal hunting techniques.
Governor Phillip Fountain
Huntsman and Dogs
Cast by the Val d’Osne Company around 1879 the Huntsman and Dogs statue is a copy of a sculpture by French sculptor Henri Alfred Marie Jacquemart. Located on the path next to the Sydney Conservatorium of Music, the sculpture of the Huntsman and Dogs is an “imitation” bronze. Created by using electrolysis to deposit copper on a cast iron casting, immitation bronze is a cheap way to crate a bronze statue.
Huntsman and Dogs
The Four Seasons Statues
Located at the top and bottom of a stairway, the four seasons are represented by three young women, while an old man represents winter.
The Four Seasons Statues in the Royal Botanic GardenSpring holds fresh cut roses as a symbol of the beginning of the yearly cycleWinter is an Old Man He is holding a dead bird and pine cones which represent the end of the yearly cycle of lifeAutumn is a young woman holding grapes and a goblet of wineSummer carries a scythe as well as a sheaf of fresh cut lilies
Linda di Chamonix Statues in the Royal Botanic Garden
These two Victorian style marble statues, Linda di Chamonix and the Sweeb Boy are based on a characters from the Donizetti opera ‘Linda di Chamonix’, written in 1842.
Linda da ChamonixStatue of Savoyard Sweeb Boy
The Boxers
Placed in the Botanic gardens in the 1880s these marble statues are copies from the original boxers statues, “Creugas and Damoxenus” by Italian sculptor, Antonio Canova (1757-1822).
Second of the Boxers statuesThe BoxersThe Boxers Statues in the Royal Botanic Garden
Lewis Wolfe Levy Fountain
Commemorating Lewis Wolfe Levy (1815–85), a politician and businessman, this fountain has an Art Nouveau bronze statue of a young girl standing amid reeds, a heron and frogs. The fountain was a gift to the people of Sydney in 1889 from the Levy family.
Lewis Wolfe Levy Fountain
Lewis Wolfe Levy Fountain
Living Floral Sculptures
Scattered throughout the Botanic Garden living sculptures of animals which brighten up the garden beds. There are whales, bees, koalas and echidnas.
BeeGiant Floral BeeEchidna and AntsGiant Floral KoalaWhale Sculpture
The Herb Garden
Sandstone Pavilion above the Herb GardenCompass in the Herb Garden
The Satyr
Sculpted by Guy Lynch in 1924, The Satyr is a bronze casting of the original (by the same artist) commissioned by his wife after is death. The sculpture was modelled on the sculptor’s younger brother and a local goat.
The Satyr 1924 by Frank “Guy” Lynch
Vista Pavilion
Vista Pavilion
Folly For Mrs Macquarie
Folly For Mrs Macquarie
Slit Drum from Vanuatu
Slit Drum from Vanuatu
Sumo Wrestlers
Sumo Wrestlers
Lions’ Gate
This male and female lion guard the entrance to the Lions’ Gate Lodge in the Botanic Gardens.
Lions’ GateLions’ Gate
Venus ‘Italica’
This marble statue is a replica of the Venus ‘Italica’. The naked Venus is clutching a flowing sheet around her body.
Venus Italica
La Ballerina
This copy of a famous statue by the Venetian sculptor Antonio Canova, La Ballarina arrived from Italy in 1883, when the gardens were home to as many sculptures as trees. Following a spell in the sculpture graveyard in the 1970s, La Ballerina underwent restoration and is again on display.
La Ballerina
Magnolia
Magnolia
Boy Extracting Thorn
This marble copy of the famous ‘Fidele’ (faithful) statue was imported into Australia from Italy, in 1883.
Boy Extracting Thorn
Mare and Foal
These bronze statues of a Mare, named La Reyna, and her foal overlook the Sydney Opera House and the Sydney Harbour Bridge. On the base are reliefs depicting training and racing scenes. Sculpted by French Sculptor, Arthur Jacques Le Duc, it was purchased in 1891.
Mare and Foal
Choragic Monument
This carved yellowblock sandstone is a copy of the circular Choragic Monument of Lysicrates in Athens. The monument features carved scenes depicting episodes from the myth of Dionysus as well as six Corinthian columns. Originally erected at Sir James Martin ( Premier of New South Wales ) home at Macleay Street, Potts Point in 1870, the Choragic Monument was moved to the Royal Botanic Gardens on the 16th November, 1943.
Choragic Monument
Bara
bara by Aboriginal artist Judy Watson
Venus Fountain
Although removed from display in 1990 this bronze statue of Venus was later reinstalled in 1994. However corrosion to the statue meant it needed replacement. Originally the base featured rocks and large clam shells but they were later replaced by a sculpted crocodile. It now features two cherubs riding dolphins.
Venus Fountain with a Cormorant sitting on her head
Mrs Macquarie’s Chair
Carved out of a sandstone rock ledge by convicts in 1810 Mrs Macquarie’s Chair is one of the best vantage points to view the sights of Sydney Harbour. Governor Macquarie commissioned it for his wife Elizabeth who was known to love the area.
Mrs Macquarie’s Chair
2nd / 30th Infantry Battalion Memorial
This memorial is a tribute to the men of the 2/30 Battalion AIF who departed for the First World War from docks near here.
2nd / 30th Infantry Battalion Memorial
Barrel Roll
Sculpted by Peter Lundberg, Barrel Roll, formed part of Sculpture by the Sea, Bondi 2012. Gifted to the Royal Botanic Gardens by the Balnaves Foundationit it now sits in the median strip of Mrs Macquarie’s Road.
Barrel Roll
Paradiegma Metaphysic
Sculpted by Paul Selwood, paradiegma metaphysic was originally displayed at Sculpture by the Sea, Bondi 2011. Gifted to the Royal Botanic Gardens by the Balnaves Foundation it now sits in the median strip of Mrs Macquarie’s Road.
Paradiegma Metaphysic
Henry Lawson Memorial
Commissioned in February 1860 by the Henry Lawson Memorial And Literary Society, this monument commemorates Australian poet, Henry Lawson. Often called Australia’s greatest writer, Lawson is among the best-known Australian poets and fiction writers of the colonial period. The bronze bust of Lawson is 1.5 times life size.
In February each year near the statue, a gathering celebrates Henry Lawson’s life with renditions of his works, performances by singers and other poetry and prose.
Henry Lawson Memorial
Memory is Creation Without End
Memory is Creation Without End consists of a massive spiral of sandstone blocks embedded into the earth of the Tarpeian Way, adjacent to Macquarie Street. Artist Kimio Tsuchiya has incorporated these relics from demolished buildings and structures such as the Pyrmont Bridge.
Memory is Creation Without End by Kimio TsuchiyaMemory is Creation Without End by Kimio Tsuchiya
To see what else there is to do in New South Wales, please see some of our other stories.
The Art Gallery of NSW new North Building displays contemporary art, with an emphasis on Indigenous Australian art. The building reflects this with bright well lit rooms and colourful displays. A highlight is the use of its basement, an old storage tank as a display space.
Getting There
Located, to the north of the original Art Gallery (now the South Building), it’s walkable from the Sydney CBD. We used the train from Central Station, getting off at St. James and walking, although buses can also be used. If you drive, the Domain carpark would be the closest option.
Arriving before opening time, we took some photos of the giant sculptures outside and then had a coffee at the café opposite the entrance.
Inside
With four levels, there is plenty of space to display artworks. The ground floor has an amazing display of Indigenous art and its great that this is the first gallery you see on entering. Previously displayed at the South Building the collection now has pride of place at the entrance.
The next two levels down display a series of contemporary art in addition to having access to outside galleries. Here we found an amazing flower sculpture, as well as a Buddhist Temple.
Lower Level 4 – The Tank
The highlight though was The Tank. Level 4 used to be an underground oil storage tank, but has been repurposed as an art space. Access is via a spiral staircase, which you descend into increasing darkness. Left deliberately dark, with the original columns still in place, it’s eerie, with lights moving on the ceiling, slowly brightening and dimming to highlight the sculptures there.
Before entering, you are warned that the area is dark and claustrophobic, so that you know what to expect. Numerous staff patrol the space, ensuring everyone obeys the rules (no flash photos) and remains safe.
We loved it, the sculptures were unworldly and the empty spaces and columns eerie.
Here Comes Everybody by Francis UpritchardHere Comes Everybody by Francis UpritchardLevel 1Untitled by Frank StellaKu (dogs)Seven Sisters by Nyunmiti BurtonDhamala Story by David Malangi DaymirringuDeath Zephyr by Yhonnie ScarceJapan Supernatural: Vertiginous After Staring at the Empty World Too Intensely, I Found Myself Trapped in the Realm of Lurking Ghosts and Monsters by Takashi Murakami Banners From The Lot by Eko NugrohoThree Paintings by John Prince Siddonby Ramesh Mario NithiyendranAntara by Betty Kuntiwa PumaniGuts (2022) by Samara GoldenFlowers that Bloom in the Cosmos by Yayoi KusamaSculpture GardenThe End of Imagination by Adrian Villar RojasThe End of Imagination by Adrian Villar RojasThe TankIn the Tank – The End of Imagination by Adrian Villar RojasThe End of Imagination by Adrian Villar RojasThe End of Imagination by Adrian Villar Rojas
To see what else there is to do in New South Wales, please see some of our other stories.
