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Category: Memorial

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Sub Base Platypus Torpedo Factory

Entrance to the 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.

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Cape Hawke Lookout Track

The view from the top of the lookout tower

Cape Hawke Lookout Track NSW Australia

Named after First Lord of the Admiralty, Edward Hawke by Captain Cook (a Lieutenant at the time), the Cape Hawke Lookout Track is on the northern end of the Booti Booti National Park. With only a 10-minute drive to travel the 11km from the centre of Forster, it was easy to find. Parking is available in a small carpark at the start of the track, but this will fill up quickly on a busy day. From here it’s uphill for 500m with 420 steps to the top. Don’t be put off by the climb, as there is a bench seat provided to sit and rest on before tackling the rest of the climb.

Maintained by NSW National Parks and Wildlife, the track was in very good condition during our visit. Trees have regrown around the 8m tower, but the view is still amazing and worth the climb.

The area is covered with littoral rain forest that is quite dense and very shady on a hot day. Although we heard animals moving through the vegetation, all we saw were some brush turkeys.

The walk downhill back to the car was much easier than going uphill.

Start of the track uphill Cape Hawke Lookout Track
Start of the track uphill
Memorial to James Cook naming Cape Hawke on 12 May 1770
Memorial to James Cook naming Cape Hawke on 12 May 1770
The lookout tower Cape Hawke Lookout Track
The lookout tower
The view from the top of the lookout tower
The view from the top of the lookout tower
View of Forster from the lookout tower
View of Forster from the lookout tower
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Brays Bay Ship-Building Memorial

Ship Building Memorial From the Kokoda Track Memorial Walk

Brays Bay Ship-Building Memorial

Located adjacent to the Kokoda Track Memorial Pathway, the Brays Bay Ship-Building Memorial is a tribute to the ship building that operated here from 1939 to 1945. Representing a ship a sculpture sits next to the entrance walkway which has ships’ names etched into it.

Operated by Tulloch, the shipyard built the bow and midsections of shallow draught vessels here. The stern sections were constructed at Granville. These small ships were needed for operations in coastal areas in Northern Australia and New Guinea. Up to 1945 when construction halted up to 24 ships were built here.

The entrance to the area recreates the slipway the vessels were built on, while the ship sculpture represents the bow section of a ship built here.

This is an interesting addition to the memorial walk while teaching us a little about the wartime industry in the area.

Entrance to the Brays Bay Ship Building Memorial
Entrance to the Ship-Building Memorial
The Memorial
Sculpture Representing the Bow Section of a Ship
Brays Bay Memorial
Ship-Building Memorial
Ship Building Memorial From the Kokoda Track Memorial Walk
Ship-Building Memorial From the Kokoda Track Memorial Walk

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