Team vs team
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
Day-trippers to Watsons Bay, maritime history fans and couples or friends curious about the 1857 Dunbar wreck get a 3.6 km coastal walk in James Johnson's footsteps, past Macquarie and Hornby lighthouses, Dunbar's Anchor and South Head Signal Station, in about two hours. Choose something else if you want a guide to question, a shorter stroll, or a lighter tale than a ship lost with all but one aboard.
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 sole survivor of the Dunbar shipwreck?
The survivor was James Johnson, a young crewman aboard the Dunbar when it was wrecked on a tumultuous night in August 1857. In this game you step into his shoes and follow his story along the Watsons Bay coast, solving a puzzle at each place on the route.
Which Dunbar sites does the walk visit at Watsons Bay?
The route includes Dunbar's Anchor and a stop called The Wreck of the Dunbar, along with the places that frame the story: Macquarie Lighthouse, Hornby Lighthouse, the Lightkeeper's Cottages of 1858, Signal Hill Battery and South Head Signal Station. The app tells the history of each one as you arrive.
Where does the walk start and how long does it take?
It starts and finishes at the Sun disks, so you end up back where you began. The route is 3.6 km and takes about two hours. There is a toilet stop along the way, and you can pause the game and carry on later if you need a break.
Can we play at night or in bad weather?
The whole game is outdoors along the coast, so dress for the weather. Playing at night is not recommended, so plan to go in daylight. Some checkpoints may have temporary construction work, which can mean small changes to how you reach a stop.
Do we need to book a time, and can a group play together?
No time slot is needed. You start whenever you like, on your own phones, with no guide and no other group to join. One ticket covers your whole group, so friends or a couple can follow the story and solve the puzzles together.
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.
