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All Australia Taroona Taroona Shot Tower

Taroona Shot Tower

The world's tallest shot tower—maybe.

Taroona, Australia

Added By
Molly McBride Jacobson
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The Taroona Shot Tower.   Damien Ramon Naidoo/Wikimedia Commons
The Taroona Shot Tower.   Damien Ramon Naidoo/Wikimedia Commons
The Taroona Shot Tower.   CSIRO/Wikimedia Commons
The Taroona Shot Tower   StAnselm/Wikimedia Commons
  Collector of Experiences / Atlas Obscura User
  Collector of Experiences / Atlas Obscura User
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About

Taroona Shot Tower is both the oldest and tallest shot tower in the Southern Hemisphere. It claims to be the tallest in the world, though that is disputed by Melbourne's Clifton Hill Shot Tower. 

Shot towers were the most common method of producing shot balls from the late 18th century to the 1960s. From the very top of the tower, workers would pour molten lead through a sieve. While falling through the empty tower, the lead would cool and form into perfectly round balls. These would land in a basin of water to be cooled further and solidify.

Taroona Shot Tower was built in 1870 by iron magnate Joseph Moir. The tower was constructed on his own property, Queenborough Glens. Moir had allowed visitors inside the tower early on, and that practice continues today. Sightseers are welcome to scale the 150+  foot tower (its exact height is unclear) and to visit the cafe and museum at its base.

Related Tags

Shot Towers Machines Technology Military History Weapons Military

Know Before You Go

You can find the shot tower at coordinates 42 degrees, 57'28.53"S; 147 degrees 20'14.39"E. Parking is available at the cafe'/gift shop or a short walk up the hill.

Community Contributors

Added By

Molly McBride Jacobson

Edited By

salmson2a2, Blindcolour, Lomineh, Collector of Experiences

  • salmson2a2
  • Blindcolour
  • Lomineh
  • Collector of Experiences

Published

July 10, 2016

Edit this listing

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Sources
  • https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joseph_Moir
  • https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shot_Tower,_Taroona
  • googlearth.com
Taroona Shot Tower
318 Channel Hwy
Taroona, 7053
Australia
-42.958165, 147.339526
Get Directions

Nearby Places

The Shot Tower Historic Site

Taroona, Australia

miles away

Alexandra Battery

Sandy Bay, Australia

miles away

Errol Flynn Reserve

Sandy Bay, Australia

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Taroona

Taroona

Australia

Places 2

Nearby Places

The Shot Tower Historic Site

Taroona, Australia

miles away

Alexandra Battery

Sandy Bay, Australia

miles away

Errol Flynn Reserve

Sandy Bay, Australia

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Taroona

Taroona

Australia

Places 2

Related Stories and Lists

10 Dark Towers That Once Made The World's Bullets

list

By Eric Grundhauser

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    Chester, England

    Chester Shot Tower

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  • Jacob Epstein’s “Torso in Metal from Rock Drill” sculpture at the Tate Britain.

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