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All Australia Sandy Bay Alexandra Battery
AO Edited

Alexandra Battery

A hidden gem of Hobart’s past, now a park with panoramic views and plenty of history.

Sandy Bay, Australia

Added By
Kris McCracken
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Hobart volunteer artillery at Alexandra Battery, Sandy Bay, Tasmania, circa 1890.   Public Domain
Hobart volunteer artillery at Alexandra Battery, Sandy Bay, Tasmania, circa 1890.   Public Domain
The sky from the Alexandra Battery bunker.   Kris McCracken / Atlas Obscura User
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About

Perched on a hillside with sweeping views over the River Derwent, Alexandra Battery offers a glimpse into Hobart’s colonial past. Built between 1880 and 1882, during a time of international anxiety, the battery was part of a network designed to protect the city’s bustling port from the threat of invasion, especially from the Russians, who had a habit of turning up unannounced, much to the locals’ alarm. Back then, two unanticipated Russian warships anchored in the Derwent, sending shockwaves through Hobart and giving the military planners an urgent push to shore up the city’s defenses.

Alexandra Battery was one of several fortifications established around the river, forming a protective triangle designed to ward off any would-be invaders. Crafted from repurposed stone salvaged from dismantled older batteries, it combined practicality with a prime position, offering uninterrupted sightlines across the river. Though the cannons never saw combat, the battery’s presence provided a sense of security in a world of shifting alliances and growing naval power.

Now a public park, Alexandra Battery is a place where visitors can explore its atmospheric tunnels and storerooms, imagining a time when artillery and ammunition filled the space.

Related Tags

Parks Forts Military History

Know Before You Go

Alexandra Battery is a 15-minute drive from Hobart’s city center along Sandy Bay Road. After passing Nutgrove Beach, watch for the road climbing up; then, turn right onto Churchill Avenue to reach the car park. If you prefer to walk, park on Sandy Bay Road and hike up via the lower access near the old fortifications.

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Added By

Kris McCracken

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December 13, 2024

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Alexandra Battery
663 Sandy Bay Rd
Sandy Bay, 7005
Australia
-42.915245, 147.357766
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