Royal Australian Navy Heritage Centre

About

If you enjoy Australian history with a naval perspective you’ll love a day out at the Royal Australian Navy Heritage Centre!

Located at the northern end of Garden Island in a public precinct which includes the Centre itself, fortifications from colonial times, 150 year old trees, the first known graffiti in Australia (dating from January 1788) and the old Signal Building from where you can enjoy spectacular 360⁰ views of Sydney Harbour.

The Heritage Centre tells the story of the Australian Navy from the sailors’ viewpoint and contains many exhibitions including the HMAS Sydney Found, 100 Years of Submarines and A Sailor’s Life for me featuring a mock-up messdeck.

The Centre also houses Australia’s only working public-access periscope from which you can gain a submariner’s view of Sydney Harbour. The conning tower (a raised, armoured platform from where directions are relayed to the navigator) of the Japanese Midget Submarine involved in the attack on USS Chicago in Sydney Harbour is also on display!

Once you have immersed yourself in history, visit the Salthorse Cafe for a light meal on the verandah overlooking the harbour, or bring along a family picnic and use the free electric BBQs in our gardens.

Travel to and from the Heritage Centre is by ferry only. Please check the ferry timetable for the current departure times.