Holbrook: Submarine History, Gardens and Walks

Holbrook brings together a distinctive submarine history, a creek walk, gardens and other local experiences. The Holbrook Submarine Museum offers more than just things to look at: visitors can look through a periscope, fire a torpedo, view a hologram and steer a submarine. The museum also displays photographs and memorabilia from submarine history, including authentic submarine escape suits, a torpedo and a real Jolly Roger flag. Interactive experiences and historical exhibits sit side by side.

Submarine History and Local Culture

Holbrook’s submarine story also includes the decommissioned Australian submarine HMAS OTWAY. Holbrook’s Submarine Precinct is a stopover on the Hume Highway. If you’re interested in the town’s past as well as its submarine history, the Woolpack Inn Museum is housed in a two-storey heritage-listed historic building. Its exhibits recall Holbrook’s pioneering days. The different themes give you a choice: you can focus your visit on submarine history or include the town’s early history as well.

Along Ten Mile Creek

The Ian Geddes Bushwalk follows Ten Mile Creek away from Holbrook’s main street and takes about half an hour to complete at a comfortable pace. A shelter with a map of the walk stands at the entrance. You’ll also find the names and pictures of birds you’re likely to spot along the way. Its short timeframe offers a different way to experience Holbrook from the interactive and historical themes at the museum.

Ten Mile Creek Gardens offer a shady spot with a barbecue area and plenty of picnic tables. There is also an accessible swing and a toilet block. This means that both a walk by the creek and a break in the garden are among the local options. On hot days, you can cool off in the two pools at Holbrook Swimming Pool.

More Perspectives on the Landscape and Landcare

The Holbrook Landcare Self-Drive Eco Tour takes you to several sites that are clearly visible from the road. They show how Landcare addresses salinity. The subject differs from the museum stories and the walk along Ten Mile Creek: here, the focus is on how the land is managed. Together, these experiences offer different starting points for planning, without requiring every activity to have the same focus.

Nature and Culture in Greater Hume Shire Council

The wider destination of Greater Hume Shire Council offers more nature and culture to explore. Woomargama National Park is the largest protected forest west of the Great Dividing Range. The section of the Hume and Hovell Track from Lankey’s Creek to Bowna crosses the park. Birdwatchers may spot species including the Regent Honeyeater, Superb Parrot and Powerful Owl. The Tunnel Road picnic area offers opportunities for walking and birdwatching, with wildflowers in spring. Norths Lookout offers another perspective on the landscape: its natural granite platform sits at about 1,000 metres above sea level and provides a 180-degree view of the Upper Murray Valley, the western side of the Snowy Mountains, the Riverina District and Holbrook.

The cultural attractions in Greater Hume Shire Council also differ in character. Jindera Pioneer Museum has more than 25 rooms and galleries. Its shop building is considered outstanding in New South Wales for its original shop fittings and furnishings. In Walla Walla, Zion Lutheran Church was built in 1924; it is the largest Lutheran church in the state and has nearly 600 seats. The Walla Walla Heritage Walk offers the opportunity to learn more about the German influence. Henty Machinery Field Days take place every September and attract about 50,000 visitors over three days. If you’re planning your trip around the event, check the current event dates.

For guidance on attractions and stopovers, the Greater Hume Visitor Information Centre offers expert advice, travel tips and recommendations. Holbrook itself has entry and exit ramps at both ends of town. This information can help you distinguish local experiences from the wider attractions in Greater Hume Shire Council and plan your trip around the interests that matter to you.

Discover more destinations: Dareton, Summer Island, Table Top, Marulan, Kyogle, Lord Howe Island, Tumbarumba, Goolgowi.

For the wider travel overview: New South Wales.