- Address: Fort Denison island, Sydney Harbor, Sydney, NSW 2000, Australia;
- Website: http://www.fortdenison.com.au/;
- Phone: +61 61 02 9247 5033;
- E-mail: info@npws.nsw.gov.au;
- Ticket price: A $ 35;
- Working hours: every day from 10.30 to 16.00
If you are tired of regular museum tours, you can better know the "other" Australia by visiting Fort Denison - the former high security prison. This small island is located in Sydney Bay, northeast of the Royal Botanical Gardens and about one kilometer east of the opera house in Sydney . It towers over the sea for 15 meters and consists entirely of sandstone.
Excursion to the history
Before the arrival of European settlers in Australia, the aborigines called the island of Mat-te-van-ye. Since 1788, Governor Phillip has renamed it to the Rocky Island and from about the same time this place was used to refer criminals. The most brutal bandits sentenced to death were sent here, so in 1796 the island was even installed by gallows.
At first there were no fortifications on this rock, so the prisoners served their term here, mining sandstone for the needs of the colony. After an unpleasant incident with the American cruisers that surrounded the island in 1839, the Sydney authorities decided to strengthen the harbor defense. The construction of the fortress was completed in 1857, and its name was given in honor of Sir William Thomas Denison, who from 1855 to 1861 served as governor of the province of New South Wales.
Today's Fort
Now Fort Denison is part of the National Park harbor. The large Martello tower with its steep staircase is the only defensive tower in Australia. Here visitors will be able to see:
- bell tower;
- the tide gauge;
- an exhibition of the cannon museum.
Every day at exactly 13.00 cannon cannon, located on the island, shoots, so by this time a lot of tourists gather here. On this shot, sailors put out ship chronometers. From the coast of the island, travelers have a magnificent view of the harbor. Tickets for visiting the fort should be booked in advance.
To eat, you do not have to return to Sydney : a local cafe offers a delicious lunch, and if you wish you can book a table for dinner. The institution accommodates between 40 and 200 people. There is an opportunity to rent an island in the evening for a private party or wedding, which will be unforgettable surrounded by cannons. Also in Fort Denison there is a Sydney festival of Light, Music and Ideas.
How to get there?
From the Circular Quay in Sydney to the fort every half hour, starting at 10.30 and up to 15.30, leaves for the ferry. Sail to the fortress you will not have more than 10 minutes.
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