HMAS Stirling was formally commissioned in July 1978. It is located on Garden Island near the city of Perth in Western Australia and is part of Fleet Base West.
HMAS Stirling's primary purpose is to provide operational and logistics support to the RAN ships, submarines and aircraft based in WA. The base is home to the RAN Submarine Training and Systems Centre, the Training Centre West complex, Defence Communications Station Perth, and a trials, research and support facility.
Garden Island is accessible to visitors by private boat and visitors must leave before nightfall. The main attractions of Garden Island are its peaceful white beaches, foreshores and bays where visitors can picnic, swim, fish, surf and sail.
Perth lies on the Swan River on the southwest coast of Western Australia. Sandy beaches line its suburbs, and Kings Park and the Botanic Gardens on Mount Eliza offer sweeping views of the city. Ferries to Rottnest Island allow visitors to take advantage of a wide range of restaurants and common activities include camping, snorkelling, scuba diving, paddle boarding, and snapping selfies with the Quokkas.