150 Years of Fort Denison in Darling Harbour Exhibition

A new pictorial exhibition at the Australian National Maritime Museum marks 150 years of Fort Denison standing guard in Sydney Harbour.

Fort Denison — celebrating 150 years brings together a series of paintings and photographs to chronicle the history of this small island.

Known as Mat-te-wan-ye by Sydney's Indigenous population, Rock Island by Captain Arthur Phillip and Pinchgut by Australia's first convicts, it wasn’t until October 1857, following years of building works and fortifications, that the small sandstone island was formally named Fort Denison in honor of the then Governor of New South Wales, William Denison.

Fort Denison marked the end of the journey for most Australian and visiting naval ships as they moored at Garden Island or in Farm Cove.

The exhibition will remain on view, admission free, until November 11.

The Australian National Maritime Museum, Darling Harbour, is open daily from 9.30am to 5pm. Inquiries to 02-9298-3777.

• Australian National Maritime Museum
• Darling Harbour: A Darling of a Place

Photo: Pinchgut photographed from a warship in 1930, with the Harbour Bridge seen in the background under construction. Samuel J Hood Studio/ANMM Collection