Princess Royal Fortress

In 1791 Captain George Vancouver claimed the southern part of Western Australia for the British Crown. As he explored along the coast, he discovered one of the world's finest natural harbours and named it the Princess Royal Harbour and King George III Sound.

During the 19th century, the loss of this strategic port to an enemy naval squadron was recognised as a potential threat to the security of Australia. Consequently, as the first federal act - before federation - all the Australian states agreed to proportionally pay for the construction of a fort with the Imperial British Government supplying the guns. The Fort was opened in 1893 as the first federal defence of Australia, and today is called the Princess Royal Fortress.

From 1893 to 1956 the guns of King George Sound maintained their role as a deterrent, though never firing a shot in anger. It was neither age nor enemy which silenced the guns of the Sound but rather the advent of the missile era.

In 1956, throughout the Commonwealth, coastal defences like the Princess Royal Fortress were decommissioned.

The Princess Royal Fortress boasts restored shore batteries, armories, barracks, the 10th Light Horse display, trails and a collection of naval guns and torpedoes. The fortess is also home to the SE Asia Memorial, US Submariners Memorial and Merchant Navy Memorial.

The site now receives more than 25,000 visitors per year.

Once you experience it you will see why!

Opening times:

           9am - 5pm, seven days a week except Good Friday and Christmas Day

Entry fees:

          Adults per visit $5.20

          Children (aged 11-16) per visit $1.10

          Family per visit $12 (up to two adults plus any number of children)

          Pensioners per visit $3.10

          Mini bus per visit $16

          Coaches per visit $28

          Professional photography fee per visit $32

          Wedding fee $50

Barbecue area:

          Up to 50 people pay standard entry fee

          More than 50 people pay half standard entry fee

Forts kiosk:

          Entry to kiosk only is free