Alexandra Battery occupies a headland above Long Beach at Sandy Bay. Built in the 1880s, it worked with Kangaroo Bluff and other positions to defend the River Derwent approaches to Hobart.
A linked defence system
Colonial engineers selected sites that could support one another across the river. Earthworks, masonry, magazines and gun positions protected crews and ammunition while commanding the shipping channel.
From military site to public reserve
The battery never fired in combat. Later disarmament and public use changed the site, but surviving forms still show how guns, stores and sight lines worked together.
Visit carefully
The reserve is reached through a residential area. Use formed paths, keep driveways clear and supervise children around drops, walls and uneven surfaces. Open chambers or paths can close for maintenance.
The Defending Hobart guide explains the full network. Compare the eastern-shore Kangaroo Bluff Battery.