Fort Denison, formally a defensive location north of the Royal botanical Gardens in Sydney Harbour and also used as a penal site, has been transformed into one of Sydney's more interesting attractions.
A museum can now be enjoyed on the small Island, featuring exhibitions that include a history of the Island dating back to Aboriginal times, as well as a variety of seasonal exhibitions.
With daily tours, departing from Circular Quay at the Warf 6 Ferry terminal every 45 minutes, your ticket will include a guided tour and exploration of the Martello tower – but don't forget to arrive before 1pm when the Cannon is fired.
While enjoying your tour of Fort Denison, why not relax at the Island Café with a coffee, or tea and cake and take in the splendid views of Sydney Harbour with views all around.
You will find you are not alone on the Fort Denison Island, with tourists and locals frequenting the shores, with weddings and corporate events a popular occurrence and a weather facility operated by the Bureau of Meteorology.
Named 'Mat-te-wan-ye' by the Eora aboriginal tribe, the Island was later named 'Rock Island' by Governor Philip following the arrival of the first fleet into Sydney Harbour.
Previously used as a convict island, known as 'Pinchgut', as prisoners were held in Irons and fed only bread and water rations – the Island was quarried by the convicts for sandstone to construct Circular Quay.
A famous Island, once the location of a prank by Captain Lightroller, who later became a surviving Second Officer on the RMC Titanic and who, along with four midshipmen, fired the Fort Denison cannon one night thinking they could fool local Sydneysiders that they were under attack.
Fort Denison has also featured in film and TV, such as the 1959 film titled 'Siege at Pinchgut', children's TV show 'Mission Top Secret' and numerous episodes of 'Water Rats'.
