Fort Denison Tours and Tickets

There are plenty of ways to experience Fort Denison. Looking at ratings and reviews previously given by customers, these are the best tours available right now:

• 30-Minute Sydney Harbour Jet Boat Thrill Ride

• Sydney Harbour Unique Cruise Including Lunch

• 45 Minute Extreme Adrenaline Rush Ride

• Luxury Sailing Cruise on Sydney Harbour with Lunch

• Morning or Afternoon Highlights Tour in Sydney with a Local Guide

Most visitors see Fort Denison during boat tours that cruise through the harbor and past the fort. Sydney Harbour highlights sightseeing cruises start at US$27, while boat tours that include snacks and soft drinks cost upwards of US$36. Thrill rides will set adrenaline junkies back US$65 and up.

Yes, Fort Denison is worth visiting, especially for travelers interested in waterfront views and learning more about the history of Sydney Harbour, when Fort Denison was a former penal site. Consider booking a boat trip for scenic views and great photo opportunities of Fort Denison from the water, as well as other highlights of Sydney Harbour along the way.

Per one customer who booked the Sydney Harbour Unique Cruise Including Lunch, "Friendly guides and a small group made for an intimate trip around the harbour...allowing us the opportunity to swim, kayak and float either side of a sumptuous seafood lunch. A fantastic afternoon out!"

Fort Denison, a rocky island in Sydney Harbor, was used to punish convicts. Later, it was used for defense from foreign nations, with two guns, 12 cannons, a garrison of 24 soldiers, and one officer. It's named after the then-governor of New South Wales.

Yes, tourists can visit Fort Denison when it is not under construction for renovations. However, it will be closed until late 2025. When it’s open, visitors can use a free audio guide to explore the island and visit the Fort Denison Museum. There is an entrance fee for Martello tower.

In modern times, Fort Denison has been a tourist attraction and hosted wedding receptions and corporate events. It’s also popular for watching New Year’s Eve fireworks over the Sydney Harbour. When the island is open, ferries arrive from Circular Quay. The fort is closed for renovations.

Yes, some tours pass by Fort Denison. Speedboat tours cruise along the harbor past the fort, or you can charter a private boat to take you to the top attractions in the harbor. Use the free audio guide to explore Fort Denison, which is closed for renovations.

Yes, Pinchgut is the same as Fort Denison. It is colloquially called Pinchgut, which refers to the prisoners who spent time on the island with very meager rations. Convicts sentenced there initially were forced to live on small amounts of bread and water.

The British built Martello towers (inspired by a round fortress at Corsica's Mortella Point) to defend the empire in the 19th century, and you can see them worldwide. Fort Denison, which was used as a defense facility when the British invaded aboriginal land, has one. Aboriginals call Fort Denison Mudddawahnyuh.

There are tons of things to do when you're done visiting Fort Denison. According to travelers, these are some of the top attractions in Sydney:

• Sydney Harbour

• Sydney Opera House

• Sydney Harbour Bridge

• The Rocks

• Bondi Beach

View Viator's guide to all the best attractions in Sydney.