Bare Island Military Fort: A Forgotten Chapter in Australian History #to...


Bare Island is a heritage-listed military fort and tunnels that can be explored through guided tours offered by the National Parks and Wildlife Service. It is connected to the mainland of La Perouse by a 130-year-old footbridge. The waters surrounding the island are popular among scuba divers, and the Bare Island anglerfish is named after this iconic location.
Bare Island has been featured in various films and television shows, including Mission Impossible 2, East West 101, and the finale of Netflix's reboot of The Mole.

At the time of European contact, the Gweagal and Kameygal Aboriginal groups were associated with Bare Island. Notably, the island is mentioned in the journals of Joseph Banks and James Cook. Banks collected shell specimens on the island, while Cook described it as a small, bare island that served as a useful navigational marker. This initial description led to the island being named Bare Island, making it one of the first European names given to a location on the east coast of Australia.

Bare Island Fort holds significant historical importance at both national and state levels. It symbolizes the processes of national development and strategic defence policy that have shaped modern Australia. The fort played a crucial role in the career of the last Colonial Architect and influenced the nature of public administration in New South Wales. Additionally, it served as the site for the first War Veterans Home in Australia.

In 1885, concerned members of British society believed that a Russian invasion was imminent. To alleviate their fears, Bare Island Fort was constructed to safeguard Botany Bay, which was then referred to as Sydney's back door.

Since its establishment, Bare Island Fort, located in Kamay Botany Bay National Park, has accumulated a rich and captivating history. It has served as a source of military pride as well as a site of scandalous events and concealed secrets.

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