Bare Island (New South Wales) facts for kids
Footbridge from La Perouse leading to Bare Island
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 Bare Island
Location in Sydney
Location in Sydney
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| Geography | |
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| Location | La Perouse, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia |
| Coordinates | 33°59′32″S 151°13′52″E / 33.99222°S 151.23111°E |
| Adjacent bodies of water | Botany Bay |
| Demographics | |
| Population | unpopulated |
| Additional information | |
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Building details
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| Former names | Bare Island Fort |
| General information | |
| Status | Historic site |
| Type |
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| Construction started | 1881 |
| Completed | 1889 |
| Owner | Office of Environment and Heritage |
| Design and construction | |
| Architect |
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| Main contractor | John McLeod, NSW Public Works |
| Official name: Bare Island Fort | |
| Type: | State heritage (complex / group) |
| Criteria: | a., c., d., e., f., g. |
| Designated: | 2 April 1999 |
| Reference #: | 978 |
| Type: | Fortification |
| Category: | Defence |
| Builders: | John McLeod NSW Department of Public Works |
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Bare Island is a small island located in Sydney, Australia. It's found in Botany Bay, near the area called La Perouse. The island is connected to the mainland by a footbridge.
This historic island is famous for its old military fort and tunnels. You can only visit these parts with a guided tour. The waters around Bare Island are also a very popular spot for scuba divers. In fact, a special type of fish, the Bare Island anglerfish, is named after this island!
Contents
History of Bare Island
Bare Island has a long and interesting history. When Europeans first arrived, two Aboriginal groups, the Gweagal and Kameygal, lived near the island.
Early European Visits
The island is mentioned in the journals of famous explorers like Joseph Banks and James Cook. Banks collected shells there. Cook noted it as a "small bare island," which is how it got its name. This makes Bare Island one of the first places on Australia's east coast to get a European name.
Later, Governor Phillip and French explorer Jean-Francois de La Perouse visited Botany Bay. They didn't visit the island itself. The French set up a small camp nearby.
In 1788, signs were put on the island. These signs told visiting ships that the main settlement had moved to Port Jackson (Sydney Harbour).
Why a Fort Was Built
For a long time, the area around Bare Island was considered far from Sydney. In the late 1800s, there was a worry about attacks from other countries, especially Russia. So, the Australian colonies decided they needed better defenses.
Military experts like Sir Peter Scratchley and Jervois were asked for advice. They suggested building a fort in Botany Bay. This fort would protect Sydney from quick attacks by enemy ships.
Building the Bare Island Fort
Sir Peter Scratchley designed the fort. He worked with civil engineer Gustavus Morell and Colonial Architect James Barnet. Construction began in 1881 and was finished in 1885. The fort cost about A£34,000.
The fort's design used new building materials like concrete. It also showed how much gun power had increased. The fort was built in a crescent shape, with the biggest gun in the middle. This shape was best for facing attacks.
John McLeod's company built the fort. He also built other forts in Sydney. The bridge connecting the island to the mainland was added in 1887. Before that, people used a zip line or a barge to get to the island. The fort had about 70 soldiers. In 1901, Bare Island became part of the Australian Government's property.
From Fort to Home for Veterans
After 1908, the fort was no longer used for military purposes. In the early 1900s, it became Australia's first home for war veterans. In 1912, the first seven veterans moved in.
The island was a veterans' home until 1963, except during World War II. During World War II, the army took over the fort again in 1942. About 24 servicemen lived there.
In the 1930s, many of the fort's guns were sold for scrap metal. But the two largest guns were too heavy to move, so they stayed on the island. In 1962, the army offered to sell the island to the veterans' home for just one pound, but they said no.
Bare Island as a Museum
From 1963 to 1967, the Randwick Historical Society looked after Bare Island. They turned it into a museum. Groups like the Fort Artillery Society would even dress in old costumes and fire the fort's big 9-inch gun! These shows were very popular.
In 1967, the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) took over the island. The museum continued to operate until 1989.
Today, the NPWS uses the island for guided tours. You can learn all about its history. The fort is an important historic site.
Bare Island in Movies
Bare Island has even been featured in movies! You might have seen it in Mission: Impossible 2 and East West 101.
What Bare Island Looks Like
Bare Island is a low island made of sandstone. It's about 30 meters from the mainland. The island's natural shape has been completely changed by the fort.
The fort complex includes the main battery, barracks (where soldiers lived), a parade ground, and tunnels. The buildings are made of concrete and brick.
Changes Over Time
Bare Island has changed a lot over the years:
- 1880s-1890s: The original fort was built with concrete, brick, and armor plates.
- 1890s-1912: More work was done, including adding a special gun and stores.
- 1912-1963: When it was a veterans' home, small changes were made, like adding new walls.
- 1941-1945: During World War II, the army used it again.
- 1963-1975: The Randwick Historical Society ran the museum. They tried to make it look like the original fort.
- 1975-Present: The NPWS has done a lot of repair and conservation work to keep the fort safe and well-preserved.
Fun Activities at Bare Island
Bare Island is the most popular spot for scuba diving in New South Wales! On a sunny Sunday, you might see hundreds of divers here. It's a great place for learning to dive and for snorkeling.
The reefs around the island are full of colorful sea creatures. You can see:
- Big belly seahorses
- Sea dragons
- Pygmy pipehorses
- Red Indian fish
- Many other types of fish found around Sydney
Sometimes, people even spot seals and grey nurse sharks. In late winter, Port Jackson sharks are very common.
Why Bare Island is Important
Bare Island is a very important historical site. It's a great example of how coastal defenses were built in the late 1800s. It shows how Australia, as a growing colony, worked with Britain on defense.
The fort also shows how Australia was preparing for Federation (when the different colonies joined together to form one country).
Bare Island is also important because it was the first War Veterans Home in Australia. This shows how Australians cared for soldiers who had fought for the British Empire.
The fort is also special because it was one of the first big buildings made from mass concrete. At the time, people didn't know much about using concrete like this.
Bare Island is important to the local community in La Perouse. It's part of their history and a popular place for recreation. It also has a special connection to the local Aboriginal community, as it was a meeting point between Europeans and Aboriginal people.
The island's design blends well with the natural landscape. It shows how military engineers could create strong defenses that also looked good.
Gallery
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Bare Island Fortification facing south-east.
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A view of Botany Bay as the First Fleet entered, with Bare Island in the background. The image is from the journal of Arthur Phillip.
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Bare Island from Henry Head
