Western Australia · Attraction
Oliver Hill Gun Battery and Tunnels
WWII guns beneath the island
schedule 1 min read / Updated Jun 2026
Oliver Hill Battery is the most intact example of a 9.2-inch coastal gun emplacement anywhere in Australia, and one of only a few sites worldwide where the original guns remain in their wartime positions. Built between 1937 and 1945 to defend Fremantle Harbour, the two enormous naval guns and their underground network of tunnels offer a rare and vivid window into Australia's home defence during World War II.
Trained volunteer guides lead daily tours through the tunnels beneath the guns, explaining how the battery operated, how the guns were aimed and fired, and what life was like for the soldiers stationed on the island. The tour takes around 45 minutes and descends into the cool underground chambers where ammunition was stored and crews sheltered.
The historic narrow-gauge army railway that once carried ammunition from Thomson Bay to Oliver Hill is still in use. The tourist train departs from the settlement daily for the 30-minute journey through the island's interior, with the gun and tunnel tour running on the hour.
Oliver Hill sits on a ridge with elevated views across the island and back toward the Western Australian mainland. The site is registered on the Western Australian Heritage Register.
Scenic views
Lookouts near Oliver Hill Gun Battery and Tunnels.
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