Fort Denison, Sydney Harbour is also known as Pinchgut Island.
Fort Denison is a tiny fortified island in the center of Sydney Harbour, a short distance away from the Sydney Opera House.
It was originally built during the Crimean War (when Britain was at war with Russia) and was equipped with a battery of cannon and a crew of 45 soldiers to defend Sydney from a Russian attack.
Fort Denison island was also used as a place to put convicts who proved troublesome. These unfortunates were rowed out to the island and marooned there, where they might not be fed every day. That’s why the convicts named it Pinchgut – because their stomachs (or guts) would often be cramped with hunger pains.
The only time the island came under attack was during World War II when three miniature Japanese submarines on suicide missions crept through the anti-submarine nets and attacked Australian shipping in Sydney Harbour. There was such a panic from the shore that Fort Denison itself was mistakenly hit by one of the Australian guns.
You can book a tour of Fort Denison from Cadman’s Cottage. They also arrange tours of nearby Goat Island.
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