Wrights Hill Fortress — Attraction in North Island

The Wright's Hill Fortress, located in Wellington, New Zealand, is a historical site that dates back to the World War II era. The site was constructed in the late 1930s as a military defense fort, which was used to protect the Wellington city from potential aerial attacks during the World War II. Located at the top of Wright's Hill, the fortress has a commanding view of the surrounding area, making it an essential vantage point for military defense.

Historical Review

The Wright's Hill Fortress played a pivotal role in protecting Wellington city during the World War II. The idea of building a fortified structure was conceived in the 1920s when the government of New Zealand began recognizing the importance of military defense. The fortress was built on top of Wright's Hill, which is a strategic location overlooking the city's harbor. The fortification's construction began in 1937 and was completed in 1942, costing around 40000 pounds at the time.

The Wright's Hill Fortress was designed as a fire control center, and it had a range of guns, including the 9.2-inch guns, 6-inch guns, and anti-aircraft guns. The fortress was located in a secret location to ensure that it was not discovered by any enemies who might want to destroy it even before it was operational. The fortress was also equipped with advanced communication systems and radar technology, making it a critical component of the New Zealand military's air defense system.

At the conclusion of the World War II, the Wright's Hill Fortress ceased to be used as a military facility, and it was decommissioned in the late 1950s. Since then, the site has served as a popular tourist attraction, and it has gone through several restorations to keep its heritage alive.

Attraction Review

The Wright's Hill Fortress is not only a fantastic site of historical significance, but it is also an attractive tourist destination for people who love to explore the past. Upon arrival, visitors are greeted by a signpost indicating the fortress's location, and after a not-too-steep walk, they come across the entrance gate to the fortress.

Upon entry, visitors are greeted by a beautifully restored building that houses a museum that tells the story of the fortress's construction and its wartime history. Various exhibits showcase the guns and other military equipment used in the World War II that played a significant role in shaping New Zealand's military history.

As you walk around the fortress, you get an excellent view of the surrounding landscape, including Wellington Harbor and the cityscape. It's a fantastic place to take photos and enjoy the stunning scenery.

One unique feature of the Wright's Hill Fortress is its working whistle, which was used to signal the start and end of shift changes during the World War II. Visitors can witness the whistle's sound every day at noon, which is an exciting experience.

In conclusion, the Wright's Hill Fortress is an important historical site in Wellington, New Zealand, with a rich history dating back to the World War II era. It offers a unique perspective on New Zealand's military history, making it an attractive destination for people who love to...

Had one of the coolest Anzac days here with the kids. There was those guys, what do you call them, that all dress up in olden times military gear and pretend to be in one war or another, except these guys were the real deal. They had everytime of machine gun, rifles and pistols imaginable and kept up on our toes proving they were not replicas by popping off a few blanks every now and again. They had tents and Jeeps and radio gear, body armor and uniforms from every kiwi fighting squad imaginable. The fortress itself it what has been left over after the decommissioning of a series of gun emplacements built during the early stages of world war two with a view of the surrounding Coast and the ability to smash any Japanese destroyers that has designs on our fair and free harbour. The guns themselves were cut up for scrap and sold to those same Japanese in the sixties because reasons. There is one main bunker on entrance and then the fortress becomes a series of tunnels leading to each of the gun emplacements, their under ground ammunition stores, living quarters, firing range, radio room s, plant and pump rooms etc. They've a couple of the biggest diesel engines I've ever seen to...

I was bummed to discover that the tours of this in-ground fortress are only done 3x a year, the rest of the year, the only portion that is accessible is the upper gun escapement. However, the drive up is via a winding and scenic road and the pano views from the top are gorgeous! You can do a hike to another gun escapement and parade grounds, but honestly, there is not much to see and the parade grounds are just a dried grassy plot of land along a dirt road. It really was not worth it, imho, as the only way back to the carpark is via the dirt road with very little to no shade or uphill via an overgrown, narrow pathway.

I think if you can go on one of the few days it is open, then it would be worth the visit, but other than the pano view from there top, there isn’t much to see or learn about the history of the fortress aside from a few scattered informational signs. I did some research on it after visiting online and it would be neat to experience the history...