FORT STONY BATTER TUNNELS

Fort Stony Batter is a WWII Coastal Defence Fortress located at the Eastern end of Waiheke Island. The location was chosen for its strategic advantage of uninterrupted view of the Hauraki Gulf and shipping approach to Auckland city.

Commissioned in 1942 under absolute military secrecy, the complex comprises 1.2km’s of subterranean passages, chambers and stairwells all tunnelled by hand. The fortress was designed to take direct enemy bombardment and is in a very high state of preservation. This is an Architectural, Engineering and Construction marvel.

CLASSIFIED: HERITAGE 1 LISTED

“MONUMENT OF NATIONAL SIGNIFICANCE”.

We offer guided tours of the subterranean tunnel complex, in fact Stony Batter tunnels are something of a tradition and legend amongst the Waiheke community. Abandoned and neglected for 60 years locals use to adventure in the flooded sections, in the darkness, and scare themselves crazy!

Welcome Visitors

PLAY OUR VIDEO …. TO TAKE A SNEAK PEAK AT WHAT LIES BENEATH …. VENTURE INTO THE UNDERWORLD

https://youtu.be/UIF-b_dfX_I

……to the 50-acre Historic Reserve and stunning 8-million-year-old geological boulder fields found nowhere else in the Auckland region. We encourage visitors to hike the Reserve’s marked trails to the coast and picnic at leisure. Do not climb the Heritage Boulders.

Art in the Underworld opens with 2 new galleries exhibiting Roto (Tom Ludvigson/Trevor Reekie)"Coding response to a Soundscape'- Vinyl records and 18 Lighboxes- Explosives Room , and, Intelligence of Water (Veda Austin)- 16 Backlit Film works- Art meets Science - a conscious state in water-Magazine Chamber Showing thru Summer '24- this is Bunker Art!

Visitor Information

Spring hours Friday thru Sunday 11:00-3:00 tours leave on the 1/2hr

Prices: Underworld Tour:

Adult $30 / Youth 13-17yrs $10, Children Free with Adult. Family Pass $75.00

Visit Art in the Underworld! We offer full Heritage tours @50’ minutes or Bunker & Art tour @25’ minutes (200m underground).

Tickets can be purchased from the Museum Office on site (Credit Card/Cash). Museum, Historic Reserve and Boulder fields: FREE

Large Group, Special and VIP Group Bookings by arrangement.

Explorer gear you should bring to get the best experience: Closed-in walking shoes, sun hat, rain shell, picnic hamper, torches provided. Farm Gate- Park at end of the road and walk the 1km (20mins) farm road to meet at the Reserve.

We promote a Green Footprint- Please assist us in preservation of the site. Rubbish is your responsibility - Rubbish in Rubbish out. Respect all Flora and Fauna- We have a variety of Native birds, Geckos and Insects within the Forested areas, plus a resident Weka population that will make themselves known, and of course grazing sheep from our neighboring “Man o War” station. Please do not feed or disturb.

Enjoy the adventure of Fort Stony Batter Tunnels, a uniquely special experience you will remember into the future.

What to expect on your tour

……Fort Stony Batter Tunnels have undergone restoration works. You will be assigned a guide who will be with you on your Underworld adventure throughout the tunnels and chambers. Guides will explain the purpose and construction process, take visitors safely through the large Magazine chambers, ascend to Gun Turrets, descend the Grand Staircase 42m below the forest to a section of tunnel @400m long; into the massive vaulted Engine Room and associated Operations Rooms (HQ); exiting to an enchanted ancient forest.

Tours are approx. 50 minutes in duration, suitable for all ages and average fitness.

Fort Stony Batter also offer special event hosting, private tours, performance and exhibition spaces.