Visit Wrights Hill Fortress in Wellington

The Wrights Hill Fortress, built during World War Two, the Fortress located in Karori, Wellington consists of an underground network of tunnels, operation rooms and three gun emplacements. Society members take the public on a one hour long guided tour on Open Days. You can also wander around yourself with the help of a free history pamphlet and map. The experience is fascinating for people of all ages and gives adults and children alike an insight into the measures taken to protect New Zealand during World War Two.

Why might I recognize the Wrights Hill Fortress?

The 2011 horror film, The Devil’s Rock, was filmed in the fortress, standing in for a WWII German bunker. The tunnels were also used to record the echo effects for the Mines of Moria in The Lord of the Rings films.

Wrights Hill Fortress was built in the 1940’s as a long range coastal battery to protect Wellington city and environs from possible enemy attack and invasion from the Pacific in World War Two. The British designed Fortress was adapted to New Zealand conditions and by October 1942 construction was being pushed ahead with top priority. Towards the end of 1943 when the situation in the Pacific had improved, the priority lapsed and its completion was carried out in more leisurely fashion. The whole project was kept secret and was referred to as Site “W”. A barbed wire fence surrounded the Fortress.

Opening hours – 10am to 4pm

  • Adults – $10
  • Children under 15 – $5
  • Family pass (2 adults and 3 children) – $20

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