Fort Denison

Fort Denison sits on a small island in Sydney Harbour, northeast of the Royal Botanic Garden and close to the Opera House. Originally known as Pinchgut Island, the site served for many years as a prison and execution site for convicts before it was developed into a military fortress in the 19th century. Today the complex is part of Sydney Harbour National Park and is used as a nature reserve, museum, and event venue. You reach the island by ferry, which departs regularly from Circular Quay, and once there you can join guided tours of the historic site.

The heart of the fortress is a distinctive Martello tower, the only one of its kind in Australia and the last built in the British Empire. It was constructed from sandstone quarried on the island and still houses three historic cannons, which could not be removed because of the narrow passageways. Alongside the tower you will find low barracks buildings and gun batteries that blend into the rock formation. The architecture reflects the gradual development of the defenses, which arose from fears of foreign attack.

Today Fort Denison is a place of history and nature. More than a hundred bird species live on the island, and the navigation light, in operation since 1913, still guides shipping. One special ritual is the daily firing of a salute at 1 p.m., a tradition revived in 1986 to help sailors keep track of time. The island offers impressive views of the harbor and the Sydney skyline, while the visible damage to the tower from World War II is a reminder of its military past.