Fort Macquarie

Fort Macquarie was a square fortified structure with three sides facing the sea at Bennelong Point. The building contained a two-story tower, powder magazine, and multiple cannon positions to watch over Sydney Harbour.

Governor Lachlan Macquarie ordered its construction in 1817, with convicts carrying out the work under architect Francis Greenway's design. The fort was built over two years to monitor the harbor during the early colonial period.

The location marked the meeting point of British colonial defense and Aboriginal homeland. Visitors can sense how this structure shaped the waterfront and represented boundaries between two worlds.

The site is accessible along the waterfront promenade and offers views across the entire harbor basin. Visit during daylight hours to best see the structure's details and take in the views.

The fort's cannons were removed in 1903 and found new purpose in Newcastle. After restoration, they now stand in Gregson Park where they remain as reminders of the defense efforts.

Location: New South Wales

Inception: 1817

GPS coordinates: -33.85690,151.21500

Latest update: December 10, 2025 16:27