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Visit Kangaroo Bluff Battery on Hobart’s Eastern Shore

  • Kangaroo Bluff Battery, Bellerive. Image Credit: Darren Wright

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Visit Kangaroo Bluff Battery on Hobart’s Eastern Shore
nipaluna / Greater Hobart

Just a 10 minute drive from Hobart’s city centre, Kangaroo Bluff Battery is one of those places that’s easy to overlook, but well worth discovering.

Found on the Bellerive foreshore, this peaceful reserve combines sweeping views across the River Derwent to kunanyi / Mount Wellington with one of Tasmania’s best preserved coastal defence forts. Bring a picnic, take a stroll, or simply sit back and watch the yachts drift by.

Built to protect Hobart

Kangaroo Bluff Battery was constructed between 1881 and 1884 after concerns that foreign warships could threaten Hobart from the River Derwent. It joined the existing batteries at Battery Point and the Domain, creating a stronger line of defence for the growing colonial city.

The fort was built by the Tasmanian Public Works Department and was manned by volunteers from the Tasmanian Artillery Company. Although it never saw battle, it played an important role in Tasmania’s military history before being decommissioned in 1909.

Kangaroo Bluff Battery, Bellerive. Image Credit: Darren Wright
Kangaroo Bluff Battery, Bellerive. Image Credit: Darren Wright
Kangaroo Bluff Battery, Bellerive. Image Credit: Darren Wright
Kangaroo Bluff Battery, Bellerive. Image Credit: Darren Wright
Kangaroo Bluff Battery, Bellerive. Image Credit: Darren Wright
Kangaroo Bluff Battery, Bellerive. Image Credit: Darren Wright

A glimpse beneath the surface

One of the most fascinating parts of the battery lies underground. Hidden beneath the grassy reserve are a network of passageways, storage rooms and communication tunnels that once connected different parts of the fort.

While these underground tunnels are not currently open to the public, visitors can still appreciate the remarkable engineering and imagine what life was like for the soldiers stationed here more than 140 years ago.

Kangaroo Bluff Battery Tunnels. Image Credit: Darren Wright
Kangaroo Bluff Battery Tunnels. Image Credit: Darren Wright
Kangaroo Bluff Battery Tunnels. Image Credit: Darren Wright
Kangaroo Bluff Battery Tunnels. Image Credit: Darren Wright
Kangaroo Bluff Battery Tunnels. Image Credit: Darren Wright
Kangaroo Bluff Battery Tunnels. Image Credit: Darren Wright

The perfect spot to slow down

Today, Kangaroo Bluff Battery is a favourite with locals for its open lawns, shady trees and uninterrupted waterfront views. It’s an ideal place for a picnic, an easy walk, or simply enjoying one of Hobart’s best outlooks across the River Derwent.

The reserve is managed by the Tasmania Parks and Wildlife Service and is also one of the highlights of the Bellerive Heritage Walk, which explores the suburb’s rich maritime and colonial history.

Whether you’re interested in military history, photography or simply looking for a peaceful place to spend an afternoon, Kangaroo Bluff Battery is a rewarding stop on Hobart’s eastern shore.

Kangaroo Bluff Battery, Bellerive. Image Credit: Darren Wright
Picture of Hobart and Beyond Editorial Team

Hobart and Beyond Editorial Team

The Hobart and Beyond Editorial Team is dedicated to bringing you the best insider tips, local stories, and up-to-date guides to exploring southern Tasmania.

Article Details:

Article Created: 7 July 2026
Last Update: 7 July 2026
Author: Darren Wright
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