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Use your own phones and join a team. Any teammate’s answer advances everyone. Beat the other teams on the leaderboard.
City exploration game
Watsons Bay Walk: Solo survivor of The Dunbar shipwreck
4.72Player rating
A DIFFERENT WAY TO SEE THE CITY
Play at your pace · usually 120 min 3.6 km Sydney App-guided
Play in
English
The experience
About this quest
Solo Survivor of The Dunbar Shipwreck is an exhilarating outdoor escape game that takes participants on a historical adventure along the scenic paths of Watsons Bay, Sydney.
Step into the shoes of James Johnson, a young crewman aboard the Dunbar, unaware that a tumultuous night in August 1857 would forever etch his name in the annals of maritime history.
The game intertwines gripping narrative, vibrant historical contexts, and the natural landscapes of Sydney to craft an unforgettable journey.
Step into the shoes of James Johnson, a young crewman aboard the Dunbar, unaware that a tumultuous night in August 1857 would forever etch his name in the annals of maritime history.
The game intertwines gripping narrative, vibrant historical contexts, and the natural landscapes of Sydney to craft an unforgettable journey.
Is this for you?
Who it's for
Maritime history fans and day-trippers to Watsons Bay follow James Johnson, a young crewman who survived the Dunbar wreck in August 1857, from Macquarie Lighthouse past the wreck site and the ship's anchor to Hornby Lighthouse. Expect a little over two hours of coastal walking and puzzles across 3.6 km. Skip it if you want a live guide to question or plan to go after dark, which is not recommended.
What makes this quest special
Highlights
Learn about the rich history of South Head
Discover scenic views along the coastline
Pass historical military installations
Take the opportunity for a swim in beautiful beaches or a picnic in coastal parks
From people who played this quest
Good times. In their words.
4.72 / 5
18 player ratings
Selected player reviews. Original words and ratings.
Most relevant starts with detailed five-star reviews. All ratings remain available.
From your phone to the streets
A walk that turns into an adventure.
- 1
Open the app. You’re on your way.
Choose your pass, then open your quest in the Questo app. It guides you from the starting point.
- 2
Get outside. Follow your curiosity.
Discover real places and their stories on foot. Stop for a coffee or a photo, then pick up where you left off.
- 3
Crack a clue. Share a little victory.
Look around for answers, solve puzzles and enjoy the “we got it!” moments.
CHOOSE YOUR PASS
How many are playing?
Get this questNo booking slot · play any dayFull refund until you start playing
BRING YOUR WHOLE GROUP
One city. Rival teams. Great stories together.
A school trip, a team day or friends out together. Turn your next outing into a little friendly competition.
Everyone for themselves
One player per phone. Solve clues on your own and race for the top spot on the final leaderboard.
Can a team share one phone?
Yes. Play together on one phone per team, or use your own phones and join the same team in the app. We recommend your own phones so everyone can take part.
Your walk, at a glance
Sydney
A · Start
Jensen Ave, Vaucluse NSW 2030, Australia
B · Finish
2 Cliff St, Watsons Bay NSW 2030, Australia
Start and finish only. Discover the stops as you play.
The people behind the adventure
Created by Clem & Geo.
A route that brings places and playful storytelling together.
Made by Clem & Geo
WHAT MAKES A QUEST DIFFERENT
Your adventure, with a playful twist.
1 / 4
Experience
- This quest
- Discover places through stories and clues in the app
- Guided walking tour
- Hear stories and ask a guide questions
2 / 4
Pace
- This quest
- Pause for a photo, a café or a longer look
- Guided walking tour
- Usually follows the guide’s schedule
3 / 4
Company
- This quest
- Explore with your own people or on your own
- Guided walking tour
- Private and shared group tours are available
4 / 4
Guidance
- This quest
- Directions and challenges in the Questo app
- Guided walking tour
- Live interpretation from a guide
Features and terms vary by experience. Check the details before booking.
Good to know before you play
- We recommend not playing at night
- Some checkpoints may contain temporary construction work
A little clarity before you go
Frequently asked questions
Who was the survivor of the Dunbar shipwreck?
The story follows James Johnson, a young crewman aboard the Dunbar, which was wrecked on a stormy night in August 1857. He was the sole survivor, and you play through his story as you walk the South Head coast, solving puzzles at places tied to the wreck.
Does the walk visit the Dunbar wreck site at Watsons Bay?
Yes. After Macquarie Lighthouse, South Head Signal Station and Signal Hill Battery, the route reaches The Wreck of the Dunbar, then continues past Don Ritchie Grove and along the coastline to Dunbar's Anchor.
Where does the quest start and finish?
It starts at the Sun disks and finishes at the Lightkeeper's Cottages 1858, so it is a one-way route rather than a loop. Along the 3.6 km you pass Macquarie Lighthouse, the wreck site, a historical cannon and Hornby Lighthouse.
How long does it take, and can we pause?
Most players take a little over two hours, around 130 minutes including walking and puzzles. You start whenever you like with no booked time slot, and you can pause and pick up again later. There is a toilet stop partway along the route.
Can we play as a group, and when should we go?
Yes, one ticket covers the whole group playing together on one phone. Play in daylight, as the walk is not recommended at night, and be aware that some checkpoints may have temporary construction work.
Is Watsons Bay Walk: Solo survivor of The Dunbar shipwreck self-guided?
Yes. The Questo app guides you between locations without a tour guide or fixed departure. You can start when it suits you and pause if needed.
Where does Watsons Bay Walk: Solo survivor of The Dunbar shipwreck start and finish?
It starts at Sun disks, Jensen Ave, Vaucluse NSW 2030, Australia and finishes at Lightkeeper’s Cottages 1858, 2 Cliff St, Watsons Bay NSW 2030, Australia. The route is approximately 3.6 km and includes 13 location-based puzzles.
How many accesses does our group need?
This classic quest sells access per device and player. Each person who wants to solve clues on their own phone needs their own access.
Keep exploring
Every quest. One year.
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Dunbar shipwreck context
A real 1857 maritime disaster at the entrance to Sydney Harbour
The passenger ship Dunbar struck cliffs near South Head during a storm in August 1857. Of more than 120 people aboard, James Johnson was the sole survivor, rescued from the rocks after the wreck was discovered. This quest follows the Watsons Bay landscape connected with that documented disaster and uses a story-led walk without changing the identity or scale of the event. Playable languages: English.
