Fort Nepean is one of the fortifications that protected Melbourne during World War I and II. Located at the very tip of the Mornington Peninsula, where the calm waters of Port Phillip meet the wild waves of the Southern Ocean, explore the extensive tunnel complex which connects the historic gun emplacements.

To visit Fort Nepean is to step into the boots of the soldiers once posted there. Located at the very end of the Mornington Peninsula, Fort Nepean was a critical part of Victoria’s defences from the 1880s until 1945.

During the late 19th century the government decided that Victoria’s rich goldfields needed protection. Because of its strategic position, Fort Nepean became an important defence post. Numerous military fortifications were built, making Port Phillip one of the most heavily defended harbours in Australia.

The first shot of the British Empire in the First World War and the first Australian shot of World War II were fired from Gun Emplacement 6, earning its entry into military history. These battlements were modified and used right up until the end of World War II.

Today, Fort Nepean remains an outstanding example of the evolution of gun technology and Australia’s early defence strategies.

There’s lots to see, so allow at least an hour to discover what makes Fort Nepean so unique. Above and below ground you will find gun emplacements, barracks, tunnels, ammunition magazines, an engine house and even a bomb-proof room.

Make sure you spare some time to see the fortifications at nearby Fort Pearce, Pearce Barracks and Eagles Nest.

The landscape and views are pretty unique, too. Look out over The Rip, where the generally calmer waters of Port Phillip meet the rough seas of the Southern Ocean. This is one of the most dangerous sea lanes in the world and has claimed many vessels over the years.