HMAS Ovens

HMAS Ovens is an Oberon-class submarine now resting on the historic World War Two slipway at the Western Australian Maritime Museum in Fremantle. The vessel measures roughly 90 meters and remains accessible for tours through its various interior sections.

This submarine entered service in 1969 and served the Royal Australian Navy throughout the Cold War. In 1987, it became the first vessel in the fleet to fire a live Mark 48 torpedo.

Visitors walk through narrow passageways along the entire length and see sleeping bunks, the galley, and the command post where naval personnel worked underwater. Each section displays tools and equipment that show what life aboard was like.

Guided tours run roughly every half hour from 10:00 to 15:30 and require participants to be at least six years old and a meter tall. Passageways are narrow, so visitors should be prepared for confined spaces.

The pressure hull could dive to roughly 200 meters depth and was powered by diesel generators on the surface and electric motors underwater. All original torpedo tubes and engine rooms remain intact.

Location: Western Australia

Location: City of Fremantle

Inception: January 1, 1967

Reference: S 70

Address: Victoria Quay Road, Fremantle WA 6160, Australia

Phone: +11300134081

Website: http://museum.wa.gov.au/museums/maritime

GPS coordinates: -32.05526,115.73868

Latest update: December 9, 2025 13:10