Local Government
Mosman Park
Region
Metropolitan
Cnr Stirling Hwy & Boundary Rd Mosman Park
INCLUDES: cpmplex of underground tunnels, rooms & observation post, semi buried command post, 2 x 6 inch gun emplacements, 2 x 5.25 inch gun emplacements (one buried), radar hut, access road, limestone retaining walls, and surrounding public open space
Buckland Hill Tunnels
Citizen Military Force Training Battery
Mosman Park
Metropolitan
Constructed from 1945, Constructed from 1942
| Type | Status | Date | Documents |
|---|---|---|---|
| Heritage List | Adopted | 02 Sep 2014 | |
| State Register | Registered | 27 Aug 1999 | HCWebsite.Listing+ListingDocument, HCWebsite.Listing+ListingDocument |
| Type | Status | Date | Documents |
|---|---|---|---|
| (no listings) |
| Type | Status | Date | Grading/Management | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Category | ||||
| Register of the National Estate | Registered | 22 Jun 1993 | ||
| Classified by the National Trust | Classified | 13 May 1996 | ||
| Aboriginal Heritage Sites Register | Recorded | |||
| Municipal Inventory | Adopted | 24 Mar 1998 | Category 1 | |
The Leighton Battery was the only battery using 5.25inch dual role Coast Artillery/Air Defence weapons to come into service in Australia. It is now one of the only two 5.25inch battery locations remaining relatively intact int he world.
Located high on Buckland Hill, the Leighton Battery site is fairly unobtrusive as much of the construction is underground. A metal lookout platform, a gun, a gun placement and tunnel entrances are limestone retaining walls, and walking paths circle the hill. Vegetation is low scrub and grasses, mostly native but some introduced. The site looks over the Indian Ocean to Rottnest Island, to Fremantle Harbour, over many surrounding suburbs, to the obelisk on the east and beyond the to the Perth city skyline.
Constructed during World War 2 to improve defence of Fremantle Harbour. Originally had over 400 metres of tunnels linking ammunition magazines, a workshop, rest areas, an aid post and the observation/command post. Wartime records suggest that no rounds were ever fired in anger by this Battery. Guns were upgraded between 1945 and 1947. Site was used for training. Battery was disbanded in 1963 and all equipment including guns were sold for scrap. Site neglected until residential redevelopment in the mid 1980s. Site gradually restored since then. Opened as a museum on 29/11/1997
Most of the original surface structures have been demolished. Some of the underground structures have been filled. Partially restored during 1980s and 1990s.
Good
| Ref ID No | Ref Name | Ref Source | Ref Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tuettemann, E | Between River and Sea p. 197-9 | 1991 | |
| The Royal Australian Artillery Historical Society of Western Australia | Leighton Battery Royal Australia Artillery | ||
| Australian Heritage Commission. Register of the National Estate Database Place Report | |||
| National Trust Assessment | 1996 |
| Ref Number | Description |
|---|---|
| 004 | Municipal Inventory number |
| Library Id | Title | Medium | Year Of Publication |
|---|---|---|---|
| 11922 | Leighton Battery Interpretation plan | Heritage Study {Other} | 2015 |
| 11779 | Buckland Hill | Heritage Study {Cons'n Plan} | 2020 |
Historic Site
| Epoch | General | Specific |
|---|---|---|
| Original Use | MILITARY | Fort or Gun Emplacement |
| Present Use | EDUCATIONAL | Museum |
| Other Use | MILITARY | Other |
| Present Use | SOCIAL\RECREATIONAL | Other |
| Style |
|---|
| Other Style |
| Type | General | Specific |
|---|---|---|
| Wall | BRICK | Common Brick |
| Other | CONCRETE | Other Concrete |
| Other | TIMBER | Other Timber |
| General | Specific |
|---|---|
| OUTSIDE INFLUENCES | World Wars & other wars |
| SOCIAL & CIVIC ACTIVITIES | Sport, recreation & entertainment |
| SOCIAL & CIVIC ACTIVITIES | Education & science |
| SOCIAL & CIVIC ACTIVITIES | Community services & utilities |
This information is provided voluntarily as a public service. The information provided is made available in good faith and is derived from sources believed to be reliable and accurate. However, the information is provided solely on the basis that readers will be responsible for making their own assessment of the matters discussed herein and are advised to verify all relevant representations, statements and information.