Holbrook: Submarine History and Trails Along Ten Mile Creek

Holbrook brings together submarine history, the Ian Geddes Bushwalk along Ten Mile Creek, a historic museum and an eco tour focused on landcare. At the entrance to the bushwalk, there is a map, along with names and pictures of birds that are likely to be seen along the trail. When planning your stay, you can choose from these different local themes: interactive experiences and exhibits, a walk with birdwatching, and insights into Holbrook’s pioneer era and the management of salinity.

Submarine history: activities and collection

The Holbrook Submarine Museum offers visitors the chance to look through a periscope, fire a torpedo, view a hologram and steer a submarine, among other activities. This makes trying things out as much a focus as viewing the exhibits.

The collection includes photographs and memorabilia from submarine history. Exhibits include authentic submarine escape suits, a torpedo and a genuine Jolly Roger flag. Holbrook is also home to the decommissioned Australian submarine HMAS OTWAY. The museum and its submarine theme offer concrete ways to plan your visit, whether you are interested in the museum’s activities or in the history and objects on display.

Ten Mile Creek: bushwalk and gardens

The Ian Geddes Bushwalk follows Ten Mile Creek away from Holbrook’s main street. At the trail entrance, there is a shelter with a map. It also displays the names and pictures of birds that are likely to be seen along the trail. The walk can comfortably be completed in half an hour. If you want to look out for birds as you walk, you can use the pictured species as a guide; sightings of the birds listed are likely, but not guaranteed.

The Ten Mile Creek Gardens in Holbrook are in a shady spot and have a barbecue area and numerous picnic tables. There is also an accessible swing and a toilet block. The gardens therefore offer both a place to take a break outdoors and facilities to consider when planning your stay.

Holbrook’s pioneer era and landcare

The Woolpack Inn Museum features an exhibition commemorating Holbrook’s pioneer era. It is a two-storey heritage-listed historic building. While the Holbrook Submarine Museum explores submarine history, the Woolpack Inn Museum focuses on the town’s pioneer era—two different historical themes for your stay in Holbrook.

The Holbrook Landcare Self-Drive Eco Tour takes you to several sites that are clearly visible from the road. They show how landcare tackles salinity. The tour adds a perspective on landcare and the management of this landscape problem to the historical themes. Its multiple sites and focus on salinity clearly distinguish it from a museum visit or a walk along the creek.

Swimming and getting around

The Holbrook Swimming Pool has two pools where you can cool off on hot days. When planning your itinerary, you can include swimming as a separate activity alongside museums and a walk.

Holbrook’s highway entrances and exits at both ends of town are useful landmarks for arriving and continuing your journey. The Submarine Precinct is a stop on the Hume Highway. Together with the local experiences, this travel information gives you another concrete point of reference for planning your stay in Holbrook.

Discover more destinations: Fernbank Creek, Evans Head, Woolooware, Varroville, Woodburn, Tumbarumba, Palm Grove, Guildford

For the broader travel overview: New South Wales.