Holbrook was one of the last towns along the Hume Highway linking Sydney to Melbourne to be by-passed by the Hume Highway upgrade. Now, Holbrook is in the vicinity of towns which many say are half-way between Sydney and Melbourne. And where people stop for a break from driving. Having a break here in Holbrook is unique and interesting because there is a submarine in the middle of town. Yep, amongst some other interesting things to see and do in Holbrook, the biggest attraction in Holbrook – the submarine town, is the submarine.

I have visited Holbrook many times as I drive the Hume Highway between Melbourne and Sydney regularly. In this post I am going to walk you through a visit to Holbrook. From seeing the submarine to other things to see and do in Holbrook, where to eat and where to stay if you want to extend your stay. 

Whether you are travelling in the Greater Hume area of Southern New South Wales as a solo backpacker, in a couple or a family traveling NSW with kids as part of your big lap of Australia, there are plenty of reasons to include a visit to Holbrook – the submarine town in your NSW itinerary.

Where is Holbrook?

Holbrook is a small town on the traditional lands of the Wiradjuri people in Southern New South Wales, Australia. It is on the Hume Highway some 384 km North East of Melbourne and about 492 km south-west of Sydney. It was the last town bypassed during the Hume Highway upgrade so you need to look out for the onramps to take you in to town.

What to See and Do in Holbrook

Like every small town in Australia, there is a history behind it as to how it was settled. Explorers Hume and Hovell were the first Westerners to visit the lands of the Wiradjuri people. The Rev John Joseph Therry then being the first white person granted a license to settle in the area. The first people to settle on the present site of Holbrook were John and Elisabeth Mitten who squatted on the bank of the Ten Mile Creek that runs through Holbrook. In 1840 Johann Christopher Pabst, a German shepherd, was granted the licence of the Woolpack Inn. In the 1860s during the gold rush, the Pabst family opened the Germanton Hotel. People passing through the area referred to the hotel as ’The Germans’ and in 1876 the township was gazetted as Germanton.

It was when World War I broke out that the Germanton town leaders decided Germanton was no longer an appropriate town name. It was at this time a Lt Norman Holbrook’s name hit world headlines. He led a daring underwater raid with a British submarine into the Dardanelles to torpedo and sink the Turkish battleship ‘Mesudiye’. Back at Germanton, it was suggested that Holbrook would be a good name, so in 1915 Germanton was renamed Holbrook. 

How did a Submarine end up in Holbrook in the middle of New South Wales?

During the subsequent years after the war, Lt Holbrook now Commander, made a number of visits to the town. And an unlikely link was developed between the town and the RAN Submarine Squadron. This led to the Navy gifting Holbrook the fin of the decommissioned HMAS Otway. Instead, several thousand dollars were raised to purchase the whole HMAS Otway submarine. And in 1997 it became official with the submarine being introduced into the Submarine Memorial Park.

Holbrook Submarine

Holbrook Submarine

The biggest drawcard to Holbrook is the submarine. This will probably be the first stop on your visit in Holbrook, after a toilet stop that is! The submarine sits proudly in Submarine Park which has plenty of parking for cars, RVs and caravans. There is a great park with plenty of room to stretch your legs and for kids to run around. There are tables and chairs so you can have something to eat or walk up to the Submarine Cafe for a bit to eat. And of course, you can climb onto the submarine and walk from the front to the back of it, which is a fun thing to do in Holbrook on any visit.

Some facts about the Holbrook Submarine

• The Holbrook Submarine, or HMAS Otway is an Oberon Class Submarine which was considered among the very best of submarines in their time.
• Length: 89.1 metres
• Beam: 8.07 metres
• Armament: 6x 533mm torpedo tubes
• Speed: Surface: 15 knots, Dived: 17 knots
• Housed living quarters for 64 men, 2 road tankers of oil, storage for 38,000 litres of fresh water, a supermarket full of food, 12 road tankers of diesel fuel and equivalent of 94,000 car batteries of power.

Holbrook Submarine Museum

Wanting to know more about the submarine in Holbrook, then head into the Holbrook Submarine Museum, behind the submarine. Inside you can look through a periscope, fire a torpedo and see many amazing things. Entry is $8 per person or $20 for a family. It is open from 10am to about 3pm.

Walk through Holbrook Town

While in Holbrook it would be a shame if you didn’t take a walk through Holbrook town to see some of the beautiful old buildings. The town is a typical Australian country town. It has a wide main street, angle parking and with most stores along Albury Street, the main street. As well as all the essential services required by the local community, also found on the Albury Street is Court House, Police Station and the Woolpack Inn Museum and the National Museum of Australian Pottery.

The Woolpack Inn Museum has a display of Holbrook’s pioneering past. With themed rooms with displays of early transport and machinery used in the district. While the National Museum of Australian Pottery has some 1600 pieces of pottery from both the 19th and 20th centuries.

Both museums are open daily from 9.30am to 4.30pm with the pottery museum closed on a Wednesday and August.

Holbrook Miniature Railway Club

All aboard!

Holbrook has its own miniature railway club where you can go on a miniature train ride. Great if visiting Holbrook with kids riding along the Ten Mile Creek and through the Holbrook Gardens. This is a super fun thing to do in Holbrook with kids. So if lucky enough to be visiting Holbrook on the second or fourth Sunday of the month, or on a Sunday during school holidays, you can ride the miniature trains. 

The trains are also available by arrangement for parties, school groups and tourist coaches. Find the trains at 6 Hay St, Holbrook NSW 2644.

Where to Eat in Holbrook – The Submarine Town

great pies, sausage rolls, cakes and coffee at the Holbrook Baker

A visit to the Holbrook Bakery is a very enjoyable thing to do in Holbrook if looking for somewhere to eat. It is one of my favourite Australian country town bakeries. I always visit when I’m in Holbrook as I love its home made pies, sausage rolls and cakes. And the coffee is pretty good too! Sometimes I stock up on pies so I can heat them up later on my travels. And don’t be surprised if the queue is out the front door – it often is!

Other places to eat in Holbrook include at the Submarine Cafe in the submarine precinct. Plus there is the Riverina Hotel, the Holbrook RSL club and a takeaway shop.

Where to Stay in Holbrook

If you want to extend your stay in Holbrook, there are a number of motels and caravan parks providing accommodation. You can drive down the main street and call in to see if rooms are available. To book in advance, some options include the Holbrook Motor Village at 53 Albury Street, Holbrook for cabins and powered sites. If seeking a room in a motel/hotel check out the Holbrook Town Centre Motor Inn, the Holbrook Motel or the Byer Fountain Motor Inn.

For more accommodation options in Holbrook click here.

Holbrook – The Submarine Town – Are You Ready to Visit?

Like many towns found along the Hume Highway road trip, Holbrook is just another one that you should try to visit while travelling around the state of New South Wales.