HMAS Otway, Holbrook

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Approximately half way between Melbourne and Sydney is the township of Holbrook where I was surprised to find a life-sized submarine. Being inland and nowhere near the coast, I began to wonder why this structure had been reconstructed here.



The above-waterline outer casing of the HMAS Otway submarine was purchased by the town's people with the extraordinary financial gift from Lieutenant Norman Holbrook's widow. Aha! So, the township was named after this brave World War I Gallipoli lieutenant, the first submariner to receive the Victoria Cross. Known locally as 'submarine town', Holbrook is home to some fascinating naval heritage.



Decommissioned in 1994, HMAS Otway was the second OBERON Class submarine to be built for the Royal Australian Navy. It has an overall length of 90 metres and an 8-metre beam. Its final resting spot is in the heart of town at the corner of Albury and Raymond Streets. You are most welcome to climb onto the submarine. And, if you're interested, more can be learned by visiting the nearby Holbrook Submarine Museum .

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