Featuring a shaded BBQ area with seating, a pocket playground and a scenic waterfront promenade, Sub Base Platypus is a place where visitors can relax on the waterfront with friends and family. View our visitor map to see how convenient it is to walk to Sub Base Platypus from the closest public transport links.
Planning to visit? Refer to the information below ahead of your trip.
Note: The Harbour Trust’s ultimate aim is to keep this public domain open to the public 24 hours, 7 days a week, similar to Headland Park, Mosman. This would be supported by a ranger or security on site at all times.
By ferry: North Sydney Ferry Wharf is just 250 metres from the High Street Entrance to Sub Base Platypus, offering convenience and speedy travel times to Circular Quay on the F5 ferry service via Kirribilli, Kurraba Point and Neutral Bay.
By train: Both North Sydney and Milsons Point train stations are less than a kilometre’s walk from Sub Base Platypus.
By bus: Buses run every 20 minutes within 500 metres of Sub base Platypus, along Clark Road. The weekday 269 Bus from McMahons Point to Kirribilli connects with Milsons Point Train Station, and the daily 263 Bus from Cammeray connects to the Sydney CBD.
By foot: Sub Base Platypus is a 3 minute walk from North Sydney Ferry Wharf, an 11 minute walk from Milsons Point Station (0.9 km), a 13 minute walk from North Sydney Station (1.0 km), a 17 minute walk from Milsons Point ferry Wharf (1.3 km) and a 28 minute walk from McMahons Point Ferry Wharf (2.0 km).
View our Walking to Sub Base Platypus Map to see how convenient it is to walk to the site from the closest public transport links. For further public transport information, including timetables, visit the Transport NSW website.
Torpedo Factory Renewal Project: The Harbour Trust is currently delivering the Torpedo Factory Renewal Project, with the aim of opening new parkland and public space in early 2023. Oberon Park, the waterfront promenade and businesses at Sub Base Platypus are open for the duration of the works and can be accessed via Kiara Close, Kesterton Park and Platypus Lane. To learn more, visit the project overview page.
The existing Sub Base Platypus car park at 120 High Street, North Sydney, is currently closed to the public. The car park will remain closed until the new parkland and public space opens in 2023.
Oberon Park, the waterfront promenade and businesses at Sub Base Platypus are open for the duration of the works and can be accessed via Kiara Close, Kesterton Park and Platypus Lane.
To learn more, see: Torpedo Factory renewal project (overview).
Recreational vessels may occupy the nearby North Sydney Ferry Wharf for up to 5 minutes for the purpose of dropping off and picking up passengers; however, they must give way to timetabled services. Commercial vessel operators must purchase a ‘Regular Use Permit’ or a Voucher Pack from Roads and Maritime Service (RMS) in order to use North Sydney Ferry Wharf and other commuter wharves. Further info is available on the RMS website.
Sub Base Platypus has been designed for maximum accessibility. An accessible path of travel to Sub Base Platypus is available from Kesterton Park (via the Kesterton Boardwalk) and from the High Street carpark. Accessible public toilets are located on the ground floor of Building 2 (Submarine School).
The Harbour Trust maintains public toilets at Sub Base Platypus, and these facilities are listed on the Department of Health’s National Public Toilet Map. The toilets available at this destination are listed below:
Security: Sub Base Platypus is patrolled 24hours a day, 7 days a week by rangers and security. In the event of an emergency, dial 000 or 112 if mobile reception is poor. To contact a ranger during an emergency, call Sub Base Platypus Ranger (7am to 4pm) on 0437 049 296 and Sub Base Platypus Security (4pm to 7am) on 0487 327 514 .
Lighting: For safety reasons, public domain lighting, with the exception of the Kiara carpark, will be on 24 hours (during hours of darkness within period). Kiara Carpark lighting will remain on from 6am to 9pm (during hours of darkness within period). Between 9pm and 6am, lighting in this carpark will be activated (for a short period to enable safe access to vehicles) by manual push button, to facilitate exit of vehicles from the carpark.
For your own safety and enjoyment, please observe the following rules, enforceable by our rangers:
Conditions of entry: Do not litter or dump rubbish; do not erect gazebos or marquees (without a permit); do not go fishing; do not operate remote-controlled vehicles (including drones); do not smoke, light fires or use portable barbeques; do not play amplified music (without a permit) or create excessive noise; do not undertake commercial activities (without a permit); do not hold private functions (without a permit); do not climb walls, fortifications, sculptures or cliffs; do not ride or use skateboards, roller-skates, in line skates or similar equipment on Harbour Trust land. For further information, see: Sydney Harbour Federation Trust (SHFT) Regulations 2021
Looking for things to do in North Sydney? Sub Base Platypus is an ideal setting for rest and recreation.
Key objects and landmarks have been awoken at Sub Base Platypus … and they’re eager to have a conversation with you! Look out for the red "Hello" signs to kickstart a lively and informative conversation.
Koskela is an Australian-owned, purpose-led furniture and homewares brand whose flagship store is located on the scenic waterfront of Sub Base Platypus. Their showroom features their distinctive furniture collection alongside products from a diverse range of makers who share their beliefs, including First Nations creators.
Koskela is open 10am to 4pm Monday to Saturday.
Explore Australia’s rich naval history with a guided ‘East of the Harbour Bridge’ or ‘The Japanese midget submarine attack on Sydney Harbour’ cruise from our friends at the Naval Historical Society of Australia. From picturesque vantage points around the Harbour, you'll hear fascinating and lesser-known stories about naval activities during times of war and peace, bringing this rich history to life.
Oberon Park at Sub Base Platypus featuring a pocket playground that pays tribute to the site's naval heritage. There is also play equipment at neighbouring Kesterton Park, accessible via Sub Base Platypus’ over-water walkway.
Feeling ambitious? Embark on the Bondi to Manly Walk, a massive 80km network of public tracks spanning the foreshore between two of Sydney’s most iconic surf beaches. When you reach Sub Base Platypus, take a breather and explore Sydney’s newest waterfront destination.
Take advantage of the shaded BBQ facilities and seating at Sub Base Platypus and invite your friends and family to a sausage sizzle on the waterfront.
The land encompassing Sub Base Platypus is Cammeraygal Country. The site occupies a notable place in the nation’s industrial and military narratives.
Prior to European colonisation, the Cammeraygal People camped in sandstone caves on the harbour foreshore. Throughout the 19th and 20th centuries, the site hosted (at different times) a gasworks, a torpedo factory and a submarine base. The Harbour Trust was granted stewardship of the site in 2005 and renamed it Sub Base Platypus in 2017.
[Image: Neutral Bay Gasworks viewed from Kurruba Wharf, c 1910 (City of Sydney Archives, Graeme Andrews Collection: 083425)]
Learn more about Sub Base Platypus and our other extraordinary places on Sydney Harbour.
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