Submariners’ Walk Heritage Trail

Plaque for the Submariners Walk Heritage Trail

The Submariners Walk Heritage Trail is located at New Farm on the Brisbane River in Brisbane, Australia, where the US Navy's Task Force 42/72 was located during World War 2 is dedicated to the memory of Submariners of all nations who have given their service, and in many cases their lives, to the defense of freedom and the protection of Australia.

The video below provides a short overview of the trail. Once you start the video, you can click the icon in the lower right to expand it to full screen view.


The US Submarine Base was located in New Farm during WW2 in an area which is now public parkland. In cooperation with the Brisbane City Council the Submarine Association Australia Queensland Inc. has established an interpretive walk to tell the community the story of submariners and submarines, their crucial role in defending Australia during all wars and the people who served and those who gave their lives.

The Submariners Walk Heritage Trail was officially opened by Her Excellency the Governor of Queensland, Ms Penelope Wensley AC, on Saturday 23 March 2013.

The community is free to walk along the 600 meters called 'Submariners Walk' and to stop and reflect on the past. On display are a series of plaques and submarine shaped benches that tell the story of submarine events during WW1 to WW2 and to the current day.

Submarine bench

Submariners' Walk is divided up into several sections. As you come off Hasting Street, 'Submariners Walk' honors the 5 American submarines that were lost with all hands from New Farm - USS Triton, USS Amberjack, USS Argonaut, USS Grampus and USS Seawolf. Plaques are placed at these steps that lead down towards the river front.

USS Triton plaque

USS Amberjack and USS Argonaut plaque

USS Seawolf and USS Grampus plaque

Plaque honoring US submarines that operated from Brisbane

The next section honors Australia's first Naval loss in 1914, HMAS AE1, still missing somewhere off Rabaul in Papua New Guinea and HMAS AE2’s sinking in the Dardanelles in 1915 where plaques and a submarine bench tell their stories.

HMAS AE1 plaque

HMAS AE2 plaque

As you meander along the river front the next section honors the X and XE Craft Miniature Submarines partially manned by RAN personnel. A plaque tells their story and there is also a submarine bench.

The next section honors the US Navy's Gato Class submarines and the repair ships USS Fulton, USS Griffin and USS Sperry. These Submarine Tenders were based at New Farm during the war and maintained the submarines. They are commemorated with a plaque and a submarine bench.

Submarine Tender plaque

As you approach the Beeston Street end, where existing plaques for USS Peto and The Engine Room already proudly stand, the Submarine Association Australia Queensland Inc. have placed other plaques and submarine shaped benches telling the story of the Australian Odin Class, J Class, K Class, Oberon Class and Collins Class submarines along with the British 4th Submarine Flotilla. Other plaques honor the Australian Submariners who received Honors and Awards during WW1 and WW2.

The Submariners Prayer plaque remembers those Australian Submariners who are on Eternal Patrol from 1914 to the present day.

Plaque honoring Australian Submariners on Eternal Patrol

By having these stories told it is envisaged that there will be greater public awareness about the important role Submariners played whilst defending our Nation during all conflicts.

You can see more photos of the Submariners' Walk at this link (thanks to Harry Haxton for sharing the images) and a special thank to the Queensland Branch of Submarines Association Australia for sharing information about the trail. .