Did you know that Manly’s North Head is home to long stretches of underground tunnels used to protect Sydney during World War II?
The Harbour Trust has launched the new Defence of Sydney Tour at North Head Sanctuary which features entry into the recently restored and previously inaccessible North Fort Plotting Room.
The tour also takes in 200 metres of underground tunnels and tells the story of North Fort as a former army base that once protected Sydney Harbour.
The Plotting Room, once shrouded in secrecy and concealed more than eight metres underground, was used as part of the seaward defences of Sydney and controlled the engagement of enemy ships. The Plotting Room has now been seamlessly restored by the Harbour Trust Restoration Volunteer Team more than 70 years since its doors closed.
Manly Observer’s Kim Smee and Tikky Hes spent an afternoon exploring the site with Harbour Trust Volunteer Tour Guide, Ron Ray and Harbour Trust Restoration Volunteer, Peter Lawrence.
If you would like to explore it yourself the tours run every weekend and cost just ten dollars for a 90 minute tour. Bookings essential here.
