The first Allied shot of WWI was fired from Fort Nepean at the German freighter SS Pfalz on August 5, 1914.
During World War II, a shot fired from the fort across the bow of the SS Werribee is widely cited as the first Australian shot of that war.
The fort's tunnels were dug by hand and reinforced with local timber and concrete during the late 19th century.
The site includes a complex of 'disappearing guns,' which were designed to hide behind a parapet during loading and pop up only to fire.
Fort Nepean is located at a narrow entrance known as 'The Rip,' which has historically been one of the most treacherous shipping passages in Australia.
The fort served as a key observation post throughout the Cold War period until the military base was decommissioned in the 1960s.
Much of the site was used as a Quarantine Station for arrivals into Melbourne during the 19th and early 20th centuries.
Underground galleries feature original ventilation systems intended to handle fumes from the large coastal guns.
Fort Nepean occupies the westernmost tip of the Mornington Peninsula, serving as the strategic gatekeeper of the entrance to Port Phillip Bay. It was established in the 1880s to defend Melbourne against potential foreign naval threats. The site is notable for firing the first Australian shot of World War I, directed at the German freighter SS Pfalz, and the first Australian shot of World War II. Its network of tunnels, bunkers, and heavy artillery batteries reflects late 19th-century military engineering. The site remains a core component of Point Nepean National Park. Visitors can explore extensive underground ammunition stores and engine rooms. The fortifications were significantly upgraded during the 1940s to support heavy coastal defense guns. Today, the area is managed by Parks Victoria, preserving the transition from Victorian-era coastal defense to Cold War observation posts. The site offers views across the turbulent waters of 'The Rip' toward Queenscliff.
The elevated gun emplacements looking out over the narrow shipping channel of The Rip.
Bring a windbreaker, as the exposed headland experiences strong, constant coastal winds.
Wear sturdy walking shoes to navigate uneven surfaces and narrow tunnel entrances.
Carry plenty of water, as there are very limited facilities once you move beyond the main entrance area.
Attempting to walk the entire distance from the park entrance without using the available shuttle service, as the hike is long and exposed.
The park remains open daily, but the internal shuttle bus service may not operate during days of extreme fire danger.
Stay on marked paths to avoid unexploded ordnance risks and sensitive coastal vegetation; do not enter restricted fenced areas.
