Our places 
Chowder Bay
General information
- Minimum numbers, or covering the cost for minimum numbers, apply for all tours.
- Read the information for your preferred tour carefully to ensure conditions are suitable for your group.
- Requests for group bookings must be submitted at least 14 days in advance.
- All bookings are subject to guide availability.
Cost: $11 per adult, $8 per child, $8 per concession, $8 per senior | Duration: 90 minutes
During our 90 minute Tunnels and Gunners Tour, an experienced volunteer guide will lead you through 2 sets of demilitarised fortifications set within coastal bushland, including tunnels off limits to the general public. The tour concludes at the Headland Park Artist Precinct, which is home to a thriving community of painters, potters, sculptors and photographers.
- Content warning: Although this is an all-ages tour, people under 18 must be accompanied by an adult. Further, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples are advised that the tour contains stories (and may contain images and/or visuals) of deceased people.
- Site conditions: This tour includes steep stairs and underground tunnels and some uneven surfaces, and it is not suitable for wheelchairs and mobility scooters. A moderate level of fitness and mobility is required. You must comply with all directions of the Guides, Rangers and Security. Although this is an all-ages tour, children must be able to walk and negotiate stairs independently due to the requirement to traverse steep and narrow staircases. Further, our safety requirements prevent ticketholders from carrying children in carriers or baby capsules on this tour.
- What to bring: Suitable walking shoes, a sunhat and wet weather gear (if needed). This tour has high touch points including hand rails and includes entry into confined spaces. As such, we recommend providing own hand sanitiser and wearing a face mask.
- Weather conditions: Tours will proceed regardless of weather conditions except in the event of extreme weather. Participants will be notified via email if the tour is cancelled and a full refund of the ticket price will be made.
Cost: $11 per adult, $8 per child, $8 per concession, $8 per senior | Duration: 1 hour 45 minutes
The Defence of Sydney Tour is an opportunity to walk in the footsteps of the men and women who served at North Fort. Accompanied by a knowledgeable guide, you will marvel at heritage gun emplacements, once capable of firing 26.4km, and descend into the 200-metre-long military tunnel complex. Finally, our guide will demystify an underground bunker once shrouded in secrecy: The Plotting Room. As you explore this facility, concealed within bushland and restored by specialist volunteers, you will hear of the vital role this complex played in the Defence of Sydney.
- Content warning: Although this is an all-ages tour, people under 18 must be accompanied by an adult. Further, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples are advised that the tour contains stories (and may contain images and/or visuals) of deceased people.
- Site conditions: This tour involves underground tunnels, a steep incline and some uneven surfaces, and it is not suitable for wheelchairs and mobility scooters. A moderate level of fitness and mobility is required. You must comply with all directions of the Guides, Rangers and Security. Dogs, bicycles and smoking are not permitted. Although this is an all-ages tour, children must be able to walk and negotiate stairs independently due to the requirement to traverse steep and narrow staircases. Further, our safety requirements prevent ticketholders from carrying children in carriers or baby capsules on this tour.
- What to bring: Suitable walking shoes, a sunhat and wet weather gear (if needed). Please provide your own torch for the tunnels (phone torch is adequate). Please note: This tour has high touch points including hand rails and includes entry into confined spaces. As such, we recommend providing own hand sanitiser and wearing a face mask.
- Weather conditions: This tour will proceed regardless of weather conditions except in the event of extreme weather. If the Rural Fire Service declares an extreme or catastrophic fire danger rating for the Greater Sydney Region (area 4), tours will be cancelled. Participants will be notified via email if the tour is cancelled and a full refund of the ticket price will be made.
Cost: $11 per adult, $8 per child, $8 per concession, $8 per senior | Duration: 60 mins | Note: Tours will run on scheduled dates while group tours can be arranged by appointment.
During this 60-minute tour, a knowledgeable guide will share stories of those who succumbed to the ravages of small pox, the plague and other epidemics. Attendees will also experience the natural beauty of this final resting place, including unspoiled views of Sydney Harbour.
- Content warning: Although this is an all-ages tour, people under 18 must be accompanied by an adult.
- First Nations disclaimer: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples are advised that the tour contains stories (and may contain images and/or visuals) of deceased people.
- Conditions: A moderate level of fitness and mobility is required on this tour. The tour includes uneven surfaces and bush tracks and is not suitable for wheelchairs, mobility scooters or prams . You must comply with all directions of the Guides, Rangers and Security.
- What to bring: Suitable walking shoes, a sunhat and wet weather gear (if needed). Long pants recommended.
- Weather: This tour will proceed regardless of weather conditions except in the event of extreme weather. If the Rural Fire Service declares an extreme or catastrophic fire danger rating for the Greater Sydney Region (area 4), tours will be cancelled. Participants will be notified via email if the tour is cancelled and a full refund of the ticket price will be made.
Cost: $21 per adult, $16 per child, $16 per concession | Duration: 60 mins | Note: Tours will run on scheduled dates while group tours can be arranged by appointment.
During this 60-minute tour you will have the opportunity to explore a historic destination that was off-limits to the public for 150+ years! Accompanied by a knowledgeable guide, you’ll explore the lower and upper levels of Sub Base Platypus, including the Torpedo Factory Precinct.
- First Nations disclaimer: Our First Nations community are advised that this tour contains stories (and may contain images and/or visuals) of deceased persons.
- Age restriction: This tour is suitable for people of all ages. Children under 12 must be accompanied by an adult.
- Site conditions: This tour is suitable for wheelchairs, mobility scooters and prams. Access to Level 3 is via High Street or the lift on Platypus Lane. Light walking is required.
- What to bring: Suitable walking shoes, wet weather clothing (if needed) and a reusable water bottle (can be refilled at our water fountain on High Street).
- Weather: Tours will proceed regardless of weather conditions except in the event of extreme weather. Participants will be notified via email if the tour is cancelled, and under these circumstances, a full refund will be issued.
