Established in the late 1870s, Fort Nepean played an important role in Australia's military defence. Located at the far western tip of the national park, it retains relics such as gun emplacements, ammunition magazines, barracks tunnels and a bomb-proof room. The site boasts the remarkable claim to fame as being the spot where the first Allied shots were fired in WWI and WWII – the guns used in the conflicts are on display here.

To reach the fort it's a 2.6km bicycle ride or walk from Gunners Cottage car park, or you can jump on the shuttle bus (adult/child $12/8) that travels between the Quarantine Station and the fort; this operates every 30 minutes between 10.30am and 4pm.

For the record, the story of the first shots fired during the wars is probably less interesting than it sounds: in WWI a cannon was fired at a German cargo ship SS Pfalz on 5 August 1914 after it failed to stop (the crew were duly detained in Portsea); in 1939 a warning shot was fired towards a ship that had failed to announce itself (literally hours after the declaration of WWII), but it later turned out to be an Australian freighter.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Victoria attractions

1. Point Nepean National Park

1.34 MILES

Commanding expansive ocean views, this windswept national park on the peninsula’s western tip was a seasonal base of its traditional owners, the Boon…

2. Fort Queenscliff

2.12 MILES

Queencliff's fort was first used as a coastal defence in 1882 to protect Melbourne from a feared Russian invasion. It remained a base until 1946, and was…

3. Point Lonsdale Lighthouse

2.16 MILES

Take a tour to the top of this atmospheric – and still operational – lighthouse, which dates to 1902. Tours run every 30 minutes.

4. Marine & Freshwater Discovery Centre

2.31 MILES

While this education centre is aimed at schoolchildren, it's worth popping in to have a gawk at the local species that live in the sea and lakes. Display…

5. Seaview Gallery

2.32 MILES

Pop by this lovely main-street gallery to see works by established and emerging Australian artists.

6. Queenscliff Gallery

2.35 MILES

A lovely space inside a historic stone church (c 1868), this worthwhile gallery exhibits works by contemporary Australian artists who work on paper…

7. Queenscliff Historical Museum

2.43 MILES

This small museum on the main strip is dedicated to the area's rich local history. Exhibits change every few months, but its catalogued historical…

8. Salt Contemporary Art

2.53 MILES

Within a heritage building on the main street, this quality gallery focuses on the work of contemporary Australian artists, including pieces by Indigenous…