Leighton Battery

Leighton Battery is a World War II coastal defense installation near Fremantle that sits largely underground, with interior structures protecting against air and naval attack. Connecting the various functional areas are subterranean passages that allow movement through ammunition storage, maintenance areas, living quarters, and command centers.

Built in 1941 to defend Fremantle Harbour against Japanese attack, the battery was equipped with heavy naval guns positioned for coastal defense. Armaments were later upgraded to provide additional protection against aircraft approaching from the sea.

Volunteer members keep the facility functioning as a living museum, recreating how soldiers lived and worked within these spaces during wartime. The way rooms are furnished shows the daily routines of that era and makes the historical experience tangible.

Visitors can explore the underground areas either independently or join a guide-led tour to learn more about the different sections and their functions. Parking is available on site, and the entrance is accessed from Boundary Road.

The site retains original weapons and equipment from the 1940s, allowing visitors to see firsthand the actual artillery and machinery that served during wartime operations. These preserved artifacts give a direct window into the practical realities of coastal defense during that era.