Naval Historical Society of Australia’s mission is to promote and uphold the history, prestige and traditions of Naval service and to preserve Australia’s naval history.

The Society can help you with your research. Their researchers can be contacted by email or by phone (02-9359 2372).

Some common research queries they recieve are about:

• Australian Colonial navies
• Royal Australian Navy ships
• Australian Naval battles and operations
• Royal Australian Navy shore establishments
• Naval vessels and small craft
• Medals and awards
• Ships’ crests
• Coastwatchers and S.R.D.

The Society’s library maintains a large and growing collection of books on Australian naval history and closely related subjects.  It includes many unique and out-of-print books and back issues of the Naval Review which have been digitised and available on this website.  It also includes one of the most extensive collections of Australian naval ship’s photographs in the world.

This excellent resource of reference material for researchers and enthusiasts is available for the use of members. Membership is open to all.

Physical visits to the library are possible but difficult given a number of unavoidable constraints around which the Society must operate. Physical location within the secure perimeter of Garden Island in Sydney means one weeks’ notice is required for member visits to the Boatshed. Members arriving at the Dockyard main gate must be met by a volunteer, who arranges the issue of a pass and escort through the dockyard. A week is required to arrange a volunteer escort and alert the pass office.

Postal Address:
Naval Historical Society
Garden Island Defence Precinct
Building 25
Locked Bag 7005
Liverpool NSW 1871