HMAS Ovens Submarine School Tours

Overview

Our decommissioned Oberon class submarine—HMAS Ovens— is an authentic Cold War-era vessel situated on Fremantle's historic WWII submarine slipway, just next to the WA Maritime Museum.

Students participating in this program will:

• Journey onboard an authentic Submarine and explore the daily lives of submariners
• Learn about the construction of the HMAS Ovens Submarine, and the equipment on board
• Visit the Naval Defence Gallery and view submarine related objects such as the World War One Tenix AE2 submarine conning tower

 

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At the Museum

What your class will experience

Students participating in this two-part program will:

Part A: Submarine Tour (Ground floor of the WA Maritime Museum and outside onboard HMAS Ovens)

• Journey onboard an authentic submarine and explore the daily lives of submariners
• Learn about the construction of the HMAS Ovens submarine and the equipment on board

Part B: Self-guided Museum visit (Level Two of the WA Maritime Museum)

• Visit the Naval Defence Gallery and view submarine related objects such as the World War One Tenix AE2 submarine conning tower

 

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Booking instructions

1. We currently do not take online bookings for Submarine School Tours
2. Please read the Conditions of Entry for Submarine School Tours, as proceeding with a booking confirms agreement
3. Email education@museum.wa.gov.au or call us on 1300 134 081 to discuss your options
4. Have your preferred dates and times ready when you contact us
5. Bookings need to be made 14 days before the date of your visit
6. Advanced payment will be required to secure your booking and you will require your school's payment card (we accept VISA or Mastercard)
7. Payment can be made over the phone or a payment link will be sent to you
8. Once your payment is processed you will receive a confirmation email of your booking. This email is also your tax invoice and receipt for the credit card holder

Please note that if you cancel your booking within 14 days of your visit, you will be required to pay the full cost of the excursion. Changes to dates and times are subject to availability.

 

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Curriculum links

Programs and exhibitions at the WA Museum support teachers in their delivery of the WA Curriculum to their students. The Submarine Tour has potential links to a variety of areas from both the HASS and Sciences Curriculum.

 

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Health & Safety Information (Conditions of Entry)

• Students must be in Year 4 or higher and a minimum of 100cm tall.
• Students must demonstrate a reasonable level of fitness, freedom from significant injuries, and the ability to climb independently without mobility aids to complete the tour. Mobility aids include wheelchairs, walking frames and crutches.
• The tour involves climbing 9-metre high scaffolding stairs with gaps, steeply inclined ladders, and bending through narrow hatchways. Please refer to the images in the Conditions of Entry as a guide.
• Flat shoes with enclosed toes are recommended. Thongs are not permitted. High Heels are not permitted to be worn by adult helpers.
• No loose hand-held items are permitted, including bulky backpacks and cameras. Lockers are available for hire to secure these items, please enquire at the WA Maritime Museum front desk.
• The HMAS Ovens Submarine is a significant historical collection item, please refrain from touching the vessel other than as necessary for the tour.
• Food and drinks are not permitted on the vessel.
• There are no toilet facilities on board the Submarine.
• Submarine tours may be cancelled due to inclement weather conditions. Your tour will be rescheduled or refunded. The Museum is not responsible for any other cost your group may incur due to a cancellation.
• In the event you are required to evacuate the vessel, please remain with your tour group and follow instructions from the Museum representative.

Download the Conditions of Entry for Submarine School Tours [PDF 453KB]

 

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Duration

Submarine School Tours are approximately 60 minutes in duration. 

School Tour Groups, consisting of 8 students and 1-2 adult helpers, are pulsed through the submarine in 30-minute intervals.

For example, if you have a class of 32 students you will need to allow a minimum of 2.5 hours (not including your arrival/leaving times) to complete all the Submarine Tours as you will have 4 tour groups to pulse through the Submarine.

 

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Planning your visit

Specific to this program

• Before arriving at the Museum please have students already organised into groups with a maximum of eight students in each, with 1-2 adult helpers assigned to each group. This will allow for groups to be pulsed through the Submarine. Students who have behavioural issues should be grouped with the class teacher or teachers aide who can adequately supervise them if needed.
  
   
• Students will NOT require any pencils/paper or clipboards onboard the Submarine.
  
   
• Please ensure you have read the Health & Safety information and conveyed this to your students in your permission slips to parents.
  
   
• In the lead up to your excursion please note the weather conditions and dress your students accordingly.
  
   
• Please ensure you are contactable in the lead up to the excursion in the rare occasion that we may need to cancel your tour.
  
   
• Submarine tours start promptly at the allotted start time.

General to WA Maritime Museum

• On arrival at the Museum, please check in at the Front Desk to confirm your student numbers, booked session times and emergency contact details.
  
   
• The Museum is open from 9.30am for access to toilets and storage of bags etc.
  
   
• If you are running late please contact the WA Maritime Museum front desk on 9431 8334, or the Customer Relations Team on 1300 134 081.

• Further information can be found in the WA Maritime Museum Excursion Management Guide
  
   
• Getting to the WA Maritime Museum

 

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Education resources and excursion extensions

While in Fremantle, you might like to extend your excursion with the following suggestion:

• Continue your exploration of military history with a visit to the Army Museum of Western Australia. The Army Museum offers a wide range of learning opportunities that will fascinate students of all levels. Through historical artefacts, artwork, photographs and interactive presentations, the Museum’s school programs help students discover Western Australia’s rich military history.