When you visit Sub Base Platypus in North Sydney, keep an eye out for our red "hello" signs. As you chat with key objects, including landmarks from the era when Sub Base Platypus was a torpedo factory and submarine base, you'll learn about their place in the Australian narrative.
Our extraordinary destinations are now also home to talking animals! Best of all? They'll answer any and all of your visitor questions! Look out for our talking platypus at Sub Base Platypus, scan the QR code, type in a question – for example, ‘what is there to do here?’ or ‘where can I eat?’ – and receive an answer!
[Plus: Stick around to the end of any talking object or animal conversation to find out how you can win a Cockatoo Island camping voucher worth up to $109 (T&Cs apply).]
Eager to start a conversation? Anyone can speak to our talking objects and animals – all you need is a mobile phone!
To chat to a talking object or animal, simply follow these steps:
Sub Base Platypus features 6 different talking objects and 1 talking animal. Use this interactive map to discover where they are!
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.
We encourage you to travel to Sub Base Platypus by foot, bicycle, ferry, bus or train; however, limited parking is available at our public car park.
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).
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 (8am to 4pm) on 0437 049 296 and Sub Base Platypus Security (4pm to 8am) 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); and do not climb walls, fortifications, sculptures or cliffs.
Want to learn more about Sub Base Platypus or speak to objects and animals at our other destinations? Here are some useful links.
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