Offering shaded BBQ facilities and a maritime-themed playground, Oberon Park pays tribute to the Oberon-class submarines based here between 1967 and 1999. Meanwhile, the Torpedo Factory Precinct boasts a spectacular view of Neutral Bay as well as a storytelling space with historical artefacts and a three-piece mural celebrating Country. Other attractions include a sustainable furniture and homewares store, situated on the harbourside promenade, as well as regular guided tours.
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.
The Harbour Trust is delivering the final stage of the Torpedo Factory Renewal Project: a new foreshore park. Wirra Birra Park will be situated on the sandstone bench at the foot of the new Torpedo Factory Precinct and will provide visitors with a landscaped space where they can connect with Country and learn about native plants. The Harbour Trust looks forward to unveiling Wirra Birra Park to the public in late 2023. To learn more, visit the project overview page.
There is limited, unmetered street parking on High Street. Paid parking is available in the High Street car park between 7am and 9pm daily. Entry is via 120 High Street. Visitors are permitted to park their vehicles up to a maximum of 3 hours per day. The first hour is free and a $5 fee applies per subsequent hour. Tenant parking is available in the Kiara Close car park.
The High Street car park is equipped with 2 dual electric vehicle charging stations which are linked to 4 dedicated parking bays for electric vehicle charging. Whilst electric vehicle charging is free, a valid ticket is still required for the duration of your stay.
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 apply for a Commuter Wharf Permit from Transport for NSW (TfNSW) in order to use North Sydney Ferry Wharf and other commuter wharves. Further info is available on the TfNSW 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 car park. Further, the entry to the Torpedo Factory Precinct features an accessible rampway, and there is a lift from this precinct to the site’s waterfront level.
The Harbour Trust maintains baby changing facilities and public toilets (including accessible toilets) at Sub Base Platypus. These facilities are located near the Retort House, Submarine School and the Torpedo Factory Precinct, and are listed on the Department of Health’s National Public Toilet Map.
Sub Base Platypus is patrolled 24 hours 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.
For the safety of visitors, public lights at Sub Base Platypus (with the exception of the Kiara Close car park) operate 24/7 and will turn on during periods of darkness. Kiara Close car park lights operate from 6am to 9pm and will turn on during hours of darkness within this period. Between 9pm and 6am, lighting for this car park can be temporarily activated by a manual push button to enable drivers to safely exit the area.
For your own safety and enjoyment, please observe the following rules, enforceable by our rangers:
Eager to journey through the layered history of Sub Base Platypus? Book tickets to our all-ages Sub Base Stories Tour!
Cost: From $16 | Duration: 60 mins | When: 11am and 1pm, select Saturdays
Running select Saturdays each month, this 60-minute tour is an 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.
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.
Cammeraygal Country encompasses North Sydney, including the site of Sub Base Platypus, and this area was a historic source of food, shelter, medicine and tools for the Traditional Custodians.
Throughout the 19th and 20th centuries, the site hosted (at different times) a gas works, 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. When Sub Base Platypus officially opened in May 2018, Sydneysiders were provided with access to a new community recreation and work hub.
[Image: Neutral Bay Gasworks viewed from Kurruba Wharf, c 1910 (City of Sydney Archives, Graeme Andrews Collection: 083425)]
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