What Lies Beneath the Sydney Opera House
Discover the story of the once towering Fort Macquarie colonial fort
Before the Fort
Known as Tubowgule to the Traditional Custodians, the Gadigal of the Eora nation. Bennelong Point was named after Eora man, Woollarawarre Bennelong. Kidnapped by order of Governor Arthur Phillip, Bennelong served as a mediator between the Eora people and the British.
West view of Sydney Cove taken from the Rocks (1789)Sydney Opera House
In 1790, Governor Phillip built a hut for Bennelong at Tubowgule which became a community space. On his return from a voyage to England, Bennelong chose to live at Kissing Point. This resulted in the eventual demolition of his hut.
Illustration of Bennelong's hut.
View of the southern part of Sydney (1803) by Charles Alexandre LesueurSydney Opera House
Bennelong Point has a chequered history. In addition to Bennelong’s hut, it was home to a redoubt, a tent observatory, a lime burning area, a saltworks and a quarry before one structure came to dominate.
A plan of the Governors Demense Land (Sydney) (1816) by C. CartwrightSydney Opera House
The Rise of Fort Macquarie
In July 1817, Governor Macquarie directed the convict architect Francis Greenway to "draw out a Ground Plan and Elevation of a neat handsome Fort – intended to be erected, as soon as possible, on the lower part of Bennelong’s Point..."
Lower part of Bennelong's Point.
View of Sydney Harbour including Fort Macquarie (1822)Sydney Opera House
You Shall Not Pass
Macquarie claimed the fort was being built to prevent ships leaving Sydney Harbour without permission and to deter convicts from escaping by ship. Greenway believed the fort was also intended to defend Sydney against foreign invaders.
On 16 December 1817, Governor Macquarie laid the foundation stone for the fort and it was mostly completed by 1822. Built in the Picturesque Gothic style, the fort was a square construction with circular bastions at each corner. In the centre stood a castellated square tower.
Dawes Point and Fort Macquarie by c. 1840-1850 and attributed to Joseph FowlesSydney Opera House
Protecting Sydney Harbour
Macquarie also upgraded two existing fortifications in Sydney. A new powder magazine was built at Fort Phillip (1804–1840) on Observatory Hill, and a new guardhouse at Dawes Point Battery (1791–1925).
These fortifications and colonial Sydney defense sites, including Fort Denison, Middle Head, Georges Head and South Head, have national significance for their role in protecting Sydney Harbour. Some fortifications are still standing while others survive as archaeological sites.
Coming to anchor off Sydney Cove (1830) by drawn by Augustus Earle, printed by C. HullmandelSydney Opera House
Fort Macquarie was occupied by the 3rd Regiment of Foot (Buffs) by 1825. The fort played a key role in guarding against internal dissent and symbolised control over the colony’s convict population. Several ships, including Royal Navy ships, also resupplied at Fort Macquarie.
Upgrades and Extensions
Spurred by the Crimean War (1853–1856), Governor Denison upgraded Sydney’s inner harbour defences from 1855 onwards. A Martello tower was built at Fort Denison, a battery at Kirribilli Point, and Dawes Point Battery was reinforced.
Fort Macquarie by William HetzerSydney Opera House
At Fort Macquarie, Denison had a barbette built as an extension of the southeastern tower wall. The barbette consisted of a stone platform on a rampart for a battery of five cannons. They were positioned to fire over a crenellated parapet.
Wharves near Fort Macquarie, Bennelong Point by American and Australasian Photographic CompanySydney Opera House
Reclamation
In 1861, land was reclaimed to build an esplanade around the fort, allowing public access to the fort’s foreshore. New structures sprang up at Bennelong Point: the government boatshed, Sydney Amateur Rowing Club, a coal loading, and a ferry wharf.
Demolition of Fort Macquarie (1901-03-23) by Australian Town and Country JournalSydney Opera House
The Fall of Fort Macquarie
With changes in naval technology and defence planning, Fort Macquarie was no longer needed. Bennelong Point was earmarked for a new tram depot. Demolition of Fort Macquarie began in 1890.
A 1901 article in the Clarence and Richmond Examiner reported on the demolition “The walls of Fort Macquarie were built to deceive both friend and enemy… the fact that they dovetailed, stone on stone, and that the cement had become as iron, turned them practically into a solid rook.”
Fort Macquarie tram depot (1955) by John WardSydney Opera House
Fort Macquarie Tram Depot
The Fort Macquarie Tram Depot was built of red brick and sandstone. In homage to the fort, its façade was adorned with crenellated towers, parapets and convex bay walls. It opened in 1902. In 1958, the depot was demolished to make way for the Sydney Opera House.
Aerial view of the Sydney Opera House with overlay showing the structure of Fort Macquarie (2022) by Nearmap with GML overlaySydney Opera House
Fort Macquarie Today
Parts of Fort Macquarie still survive today. Archaeological remains of the fort lie below ground beneath the Covered Concourse and Forecourt of the Sydney Opera House.
Archaeologist Dr Nadia Iacono showing the remains of Fort Macquarie (2023) by GML HeritageSydney Opera House
Archaeologists have investigated the site since the 1980s and have found structural remains of the fort and other buildings and features. This archaeology sheds light on the site's history and the people who lived and worked on Bennelong Point.
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