HMAS Watson

HMAS Watson is a Royal Australian Navy base located at South Head in Sydney Harbour, near the bay of Watsons Bay. The name comes from Robert Watson, a quartermaster of the First Fleet who received land here in 1801 and later served as the first keeper of the Macquarie Lighthouse. The site's military history dates back to 1871, when coastal artillery installations were built to protect the harbor, and in 1877 the first barracks for the NSW Artillery were completed. Many of these early buildings still stand today. The navy first used the site in 1942 for its radar school, which was officially commissioned as HMAS Watson in 1945. Since 1956, the base has focused on training in torpedo weapons and anti-submarine warfare. Today it serves as the main site for maritime warfare training, offering further training for officers and sailors in areas such as navigation, tactics, and electronics, as well as command training. Visitors can experience the historical significance of the site as a defensive position and training center of the Australian navy.