Destination's Journey

Category: Submarine

  • Australian National Maritime Museum

    Australian National Maritime Museum

    Australian National Maritime Museum

    Covering Australia’s maritime history from pre-colonial times to the present, the Australian National Maritime Museum in Sydney has an excellent collection of ships and artefacts on display. The most obvious displays are the ships and boats of the heritage fleet docked on Darling Harbour, but those inside also deserve a lot of attention.

    Indigenous Watercraft

    As the oldest users of the Australian coast and waterways, a large section is devoted to indigenous watercraft and heritage. Displays of canoes from around Australia and the Torres Strait are on display.

    Aboriginal Bark Canoe
    Aboriginal Bark Canoe
    Ilma from the Bardi Jawi people
    Ilma from the Bardi Jawi people

    Kay Cottee and Blackmores First Lady

    In 1989, Kay Cottee became the first woman to circumnavigate the world alone, without stopping, without assistance, by way of both hemispheres and the five southernmost capes. It took her 189 days in Blackmores First Lady, in a time before Social Media and with poor communications.

    Visitors are able to enter the boat and experience how small it is. Getting on board really makes you realise what an incredible achievement it was.

    Blackmores First Lady in which Kay Cottee became the first woman to perform a single-handed, non-stop and unassisted circumnavigation of the world
    Blackmores First Lady in which Kay Cottee became the first woman to perform a single-handed, non-stop and unassisted circumnavigation of the world
    Inside Kay Cottee's Blackmores First Lady Australian National Maritime Museum
    Inside Kay Cottee’s Blackmores First Lady

    Model Ships

    One section of the Museum has beautifully made ship models relevant to Australia. As the museum is based in Sydney most of the Royal Australian Navy’s shops named HMAS Sydney are displayed. The largest and most impressive is the aircraft carrier, which has amazing detail.

    Other models range from sailing ships to bulk iron ore carriers. All were important either for exploration or trade.

    Model of The Royal Australian Aircraft Carrier HMAS Sydney (III)
    Model of The Royal Australian Aircraft Carrier HMAS Sydney (III)
    A model of BHP Pacific Iron
    A model of BHP Pacific Iron
    Sailing Ship Model Australian National Maritime Museum
    Sailing Ship Model

    Other Exhibits

    Interesting displays located throughout the museum include the ships bell from USS Canberra (AG-2) which was named after HMAS Canberra, a heavy cruiser sunk during the Second World War. A 40mm cannon from a Royal Australian Navy ship lets you get a close up look at this important anti-aircraft weapon.

    The Bell of USS Canberra CAG-2 Australian National Maritime Museum
    The Bell of USS Canberra CAG-2
    Spirit of Australia - The World's Fastest Boat 1978 Australian National Maritime Museum
    Spirit of Australia – The World’s Fastest Boat 1978
    Bofors 40mm cannon Australian National Maritime Museum
    Bofors 40mm cannon
    Up Close with a Figurehead
    Deep Sea Diver Statue Australian National Maritime Museum
    Deep Sea Diver Statue

    HMAS Vampire

    HMAS Vampire (II) D11 was a Daring class destroyer operated by the Royal Australian Navy.  Launched in 1959 and decommissioned in 1986. Entry to Vampire and the other ships is included in the ticket cost of the Maritime Museum (as of March 2024).

    HMAS Vampire National Maritime Museum
    HMAS Vampire
    HMAS Vampire 4.5" Guns National Maritime Museum
    HMAS Vampire 4.5″ Guns
    Sick Bay of HMAS Vampire
    Sick Bay of HMAS Vampire
    Senior Ratings' Lounge HMAS Vampire
    Senior Ratings’ Lounge HMAS Vampire

    HMAS Onslow

    HMAS Onslow was an Oberon class submarine of the Royal Australian Navy. Commissioned 1969 in and decommissioned in 1999. Walking through the submarine makes you realise how cramped the conditions are. This isn’t somewhere I would want to live months on end.

    HMAS Onslow Warship Submarine
    HMAS Onslow
    Engine Room HMAS Onslow National Maritime Museum
    Engine Room HMAS Onslow
    Engine Room HMAS Onslow National Maritime Museum
    Engine Room HMAS Onslow
    Torpedo Room HMAS Onslow National Maritime Museum
    Torpedo Room HMAS Onslow

    Historical Fleet

    The historical fleet contains ships that have importance to Australia’s maritime heritage. Possibly the most impressive to still be preserved is the Krait. This ex-Japanese fishing boat was used by Australia Special Forces during the Second World War to sneak into Singapore Harbour where they damaged 37,000 tonnes of Japanese ships.

    HMAS Advance
    HMAS Advance patrol boat
    MV Krait
    MV Krait
    Lightship Carpentaria
    Lightship Carpentaria
  • Sub Base Platypus Torpedo Factory

    Sub Base Platypus Torpedo Factory

    Sub Base Platypus Torpedo Factory

    Opened in September 2023, the Torpedo Factory at Sub Base Platypus is an excellent addition to this heritage site. Managed by the Harbour Trust, the old factory was partially demolished and revitalised as an open public space.

    Getting There

    We used public transport, getting the train to Milsons Point Station and then walking for 10 minutes. If you prefer to drive, there is parking available on site.

    History of the Site

    Opened in 1942 during World War Two the factory produced torpedoes for Allied forces. Many of the employees were women, due to many men being in the armed forces. Commemorated at the site with murals, it’s a great reminder of their contribution during the war. Post war, the torpedo workshops continued to service the British Navy submarine fleet based at HMAS Penguin and the Royal Australian Navy’s destroyer fleet.

    The entire base was closed in 1999 when the Royal Australian Navy moved its Collins-class submarines to Western Australia.

    The Site Now

    The old factory features several interesting display that explain the site’s history. These range from a Torpedo Mark VIII, information boards and murals with photos and signs from the factory. There is also a car park with electric charging stations.

    Our previous blog, which covers the rest of Sub Base Platypus can be found here.

    Entrance to the Torpedo Factory at Sub Base Platypus
    Entrance to the Torpedo Factory at Sub Base Platypus
    Torpedo Mark VIII Mod 4 on display Sub Base Platypus Torpedo Workshop
    Torpedo Mark VIII Mod 4 on display
    Rear underside view of the Mark VIII Torpedo
    Rear underside view of the Mark VIII Torpedo
    Old Signs Sub Base Platypus Torpedo Workshop
    Old Signs
    Old Signs
    Old Signs

    To see what else there is to do in New South Wales, please see some of our other stories.

  • Sub Base Platypus Sydney

    Sub Base Platypus Sydney

    Sub Base Platypus Sydney

    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.

    Entrance from High Street
    Lift and stairs to the to of the cliff
    Lift and stairs to the to of the cliff
    Submarine School and workshop buildings Sub Base Platypus
    Submarine School and workshop buildings
    The gas works Retort House
    The gas works Retort House
    Submariner's Memorial
    Submariner’s Memorial
    Steps with the names of the six Oberon class submarines operated by Australia
    Steps with the names of the six Oberon class submarines operated by Australia
    Wharf Sub Base Platypus
    Wharf
    Submarine themed playground
    Submarine themed playground
    Phonetic alphabet stepping stones Sub Base Platypus
    Phonetic alphabet stepping stones
    View over one of the public spaces Sub Base Platypus
    View over one of the public spaces
    Old administration building built into the cliff wall
    Old administration building built into the cliff wall
    View looking over the northern part of Sub Base Platypus
    View looking over the northern part of the base
    View over the workshops with the upper walkway on the left Sub Base Platypus
    View over the workshops with the upper walkway on the left
    Entrance from Kesterton Park Sub Base Platypus
    Entrance from Kesterton Park
    Torpedo Factory under construction
    Torpedo Factory under construction
    Torpedo maintenance
    Torpedo maintenance
    Information board showing the old torpedo factory
    Information board showing the old torpedo factory