The Harbour Trust is hosting a Community Day at Sub Base Platypus in North Sydney – and you’re invited! On Saturday 16 September, take the family to the new Torpedo Factory Precinct to enjoy a day that includes a traditional Aboriginal performance, live music, talks, art-making, guided tours, activities for kids, gelato, coffee and hot food.
Work to revitalise the former Torpedo Factory at Sub Base Platypus, North Sydney, has reached an important milestone – the completion of a new sheltered public area, which will open to visitors on Saturday 16 September!
The Sub Base Platypus Community Day is a great way to explore the former Torpedo Factory and embark on a walk through 150+ years of history. The original building’s heritage qualities, including its iconic saw-tooth roof, have been respectfully incorporated into the contemporary precinct. With spectacular views of Neutral Bay, visitors can also engage with the area’s layered character, courtesy of a storytelling space featuring historical artefacts as well as an original, three-piece artwork that recognises and honours Country.
Sub Base Platypus Community Day: Program
Traditional Aboriginal performance and smoking ceremony
Diramu Aboriginal Dance and Didgeridoo – led by Elder, educator and artist Walangari Karntawarra – will open the community day with a showcase of Aboriginal culture. Following an Acknowledgement of Country, there will be a smoking ceremony as well as a traditional performance incorporating dance, music and storytelling.
Eton Gorge Theatre Company presents: The RRRR Pirates
Yarr, matey! Kids will love interacting with the RRRR Pirates – a motley crew of rogues sworn to stop rubbish from ending up in our ocean. As they roam the Torpedo Factory, they’ll extol the virtues of reducing, using, recycling and rethinking waste… just don’t litter or you’ll be forced to walk the plank!
Eat and drink: Coffee, gelato and burgers
Need a caffeine hit? A Little Marionette coffee cart will be stationed at the Torpedo Factory Precinct, ready to serve coffee and tea. To minimise waste and keep the new precinct clean, we strongly encourage you to bring a reusable cup.
Dolce Bacio Gelateria and Dirty Bird Food Truck will also be on hand, ready to indulge your sweet tooth, serve up American-style fried chicken burgers and otherwise placate your hunger. Vegan options also available.
Face painting for kids
Need to keep the little ones entertained? Swing by the face painting stall and watch as your kids are transformed into their favourite animal or hero! It’s a fun way for them to tap into their creativity and will add an additional layer of colour and flair to the community day.
Guided tour of Sub Base Platypus (Free)
The Harbour Trust will be running FREE tours of the former gas works, torpedo factory and submarine base every 30 minutes from 11am. Across the course of 45 minutes, a knowledgeable tour guide will delve into the layered history of this emerging waterfront destination and lead visitors through the new Torpedo Factory Precinct, including the storytelling space. Tickets are limited. Online reservations are essential. Reserve your spot.
Talk: ‘Around the Curve’ with artists Dennis and Vicki Golding
Kamilaroi/Gamilaraay artist Dennis Golding was recently commissioned to create an original artwork for the Torpedo Factory. The resulting three-piece artwork, titled ‘Around the Curve’, will be on display to visitors for the first time during the community day. Join Dennis – together with his mother and close collaborator Vicki – for an informal talk on the exciting project, including the artmaking process.
Naval Historical Society of Australia – information area
In 1967, this site was commissioned as the base for the Royal Australian Navy’s Oberon-class submarines. The base, known as HMAS Platypus, operated here until 1999 when it was relocated to Western Australia. Members of the Naval Historical Society of Australia will be on hand with detailed model subs, ready to discuss the history of HMAS Platypus and field your questions.
Over-water walkway from Sub Base Platypus to neighbouring Kesterton Park
Getting to Sub Base Platypus
The best way to get to the Community Day at Sub Base Platypus is by Public Transport. Parking will not be available on the day and visitors are strongly encouraged to catch public transport.
- Train: North Sydney and Milsons Point train stations are both less than a kilometre away
- Bus: Bus services operate regularly, dropping passengers within 500 metres of Sub Base Platypus
- Ferry: North Sydney ferry wharf is 250 metres from the Torpedo Factory Precinct
Entry to the Sub Base Platypus (Torpedo Factory Precinct) is via 120 High Street, North Sydney. Plan your trip
Oberon Park, Sub Base Platypus.
Fun Facts about Sub Base Platypus
- Formerly a torpedo factory, submarine base and gas works, Sub Base Platypus is a community recreation and work hub in North Sydney, homeland of the Cammeraygal people.
- Sub Base Platypus is a place where you can unwind on Neutral Bay and engage with the site’s layered history. Offering shaded BBQ facilities and a playground, Oberon Park pays tribute to the Oberon-class submarines once based here. Meanwhile, the new Torpedo Factory Precinct features historical artefacts and a mural celebrating Country. Other highlights include the flagship store of furniture and homewares brand Koskela as well as guided tours and a scenic waterfront promenade on Neutral Bay.
- When the Harbour Trust officially opened Sub Base Platypus in May 2018, this marked the first time the site had been accessible to the public in 150 years.
The Torpedo Factory Renewal Project
With the opening of the NEW public area, the Harbour Trust is now focusing on delivering the final stage of its 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. Learn more.
History of the Sub Platypus Base
Prior to European colonisation, the Cammeraygal people inhabited part of the north shore of Port Jackson and their territory encompassed the site of what is today known as Sub Base Platypus. From the late 19th century, this site hosted a gas works (1877 to 1937), a torpedo factory (1942 to 1999) and a submarine base (1967 to 1999). Today it is a public domain managed and protected by the Harbour Trust. More information.
View of Neutral Bay from the Torpedo Factory Precinct terrace.
About The Harbour Trust
The Sydney Harbour Federation Trust (Harbour Trust) manages extraordinary places on the world’s best harbour – including Sub Base Platypus, Cockatoo Island / Wareamah and North Head Sanctuary – and provides the public with access to precious bushland, parks and open spaces.
Located in First Nations Countries, our visitor destinations are known for their natural beauty. They also feature heritage-listed structures and other remnants from Australia’s colonial, maritime and military history. For these reasons, they have significance on a national and international scale.
The Harbour Trust acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of North Sydney, including the site of Sub Base Platypus – the Cammeraygal people. We pay our respects to their Elders past, present, and emerging.
Event Details: Sub Base Platypus Community Day
- When: Saturday 16 September, 10am to 3pm
- Location: Sub Base Platypus, 120 High Street, North Sydney NSW 2060
- Getting There: Public Transport strongly recommended as no parking available.
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