Take a deep dive into nuclear submarine program & history at Rockingham discovery centre

The Federal Government has opened a discovery centre in Rockingham for people to take a deep dive into WA’s submarine history and the new nuclear-powered submarine program.

The WA Submarine Discovery Centre on Kent Street has been developed by the Australian Submarine Agency to act as an information hub for the community.

The centre features information about the Royal Australian Navy, a careers centre, a virtual reality tour of the inside of a Virginia class submarine and educational resources on WA’s submarine history.

It will also be used as a place for people to ask questions about and host community events on how the submarine program is progressing.

Its opening comes as preparations continue for the establishment of Submarine Rotational Force ‑ West next year, which will see the US and UK have a rotational presence at HMAS Stirling.

Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Richard Marles opened the centre last month, which was attended by local government and US Consulate Perth representatives.

Mr Marles said it would be a valuable resource for Rockingham.

“A submarine is more complex than a space station, it is more complex than a space shuttle,” he said.

“Submarines are the most complex machines that humanity have ever built, and right here you can learn all about that at the WA Submarine Discovery Centre.

“WA is already the home of Australia’s submarines, and is now at the forefront of the AUKUS pathway playing a vital role in Australia becoming sovereign ready to own and operate our own fleet of nuclear-powered submarines.”

Head of the Australian Submarine Agency, Vice Admiral Jonathan Mead, said the centre would help the community stay up-to-date as preparations for Submarine Rotational Force – West ramp up throughout 2026.

“The Submarine Discovery Centre will give locals a front-row seat to one of the most important capability developments in Australia’s history,” he said.

Brand MHR Madeleine King said Rockingham had a long and proud history of supporting the Royal Australian Navy for more than 40 years.

“Since being first commissioned in 1978, Rockingham has warmly welcomed HMAS Stirling into our community, with the city itself granting it Freedom of Entry in 1988, and HMAS Stirling exercising that freedom in 2023, supported by the thousands of local residents that came along to be part of an important tradition,” she said.

The centre is open 10am-2pm Tuesdays to Thursdays at 19 Kent Street, Rockingham, next to the Gary Holland Community Centre and the Rockingham Tourism Centre.