The Submarine Headquarters, the six Collins Class submarines and the majority of the submarine related defence support infrastructure, are located at HMAS STIRLING on Garden Island, Western Australia. It is home port to almost half of the Royal Australian Navy's ships as well.

The base provides operational, training and logistic support for four of our Navy's major platforms: Collins Class submarines, ANZAC Class Frigates, Adelaide Class Frigates and the underway replenishment ship and Australian Clearance Diving Team Four (AUSCDTFOUR)

The Submarine Escape Training Facility (SETF) – one of only six in the world and the only one constructed in the southern hemisphere, is also located here.

Garden Island

Garden Island is home to the submarine base HMAS STIRLING. The main attractions are its peaceful white beaches, foreshores and bays. Here you can picnic, swim, fish, surf and sail. Approximately two thirds of this Commonwealth owned island is open to the public in daylight hours, with Department of Conservation and Land Management Rangers patrolling the coastline and providing assistance to visitors.

The Island is covered with dense communities of Rottnest cypress, Rottnest tea-tree and honey-myrtle. Some parts are forested and others have impenetrable thickets of coastal scrub, which are home to many birds and rare Tamar wallaby. The east coast is usually protected from bad weather and therefore safe for small craft and you can surf on the more exposed west coast. You can cross the island by foot to take advantage of the surf and better fishing, but make sure you stay on the paths as the scrub is thick, prickly and home to venomous tiger snakes. It's an incredibly beautiful environment and if treated with respect is there to be enjoyed as much as you wish.