1 / 3Fort Taiaroa
📍 Harington Point, Otago South
Fort Taiaroa at Harington Point is a 19th-century coastal fort with guided tunnel tours to the Armstrong Disappearing Gun. It sits within the Taiaroa Head reserve alongside the Royal Albatross Colony. Combined tickets are available.
must see experience the albatross were nesting guide was great spoke too fast when time ticked over but we got to see everything the gun in the tunnel was a favorite with 9 and 5yr old grandchildren AND their Dad thank you the price was a bit steep but the experience was priceless thanks again Queenie
🏆 Family Action Verdict
Reviewers with children consistently single out the disappearing gun tunnel as the highlight, with guides praised for adjusting the pace and content for younger visitors. Families describe it as one of the standout New Zealand history experiences, with children and adults equally engaged throughout.
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💬 What Families Are Saying
View all reviews →29 Google reviews
Queenie Harding
2 years ago
“must see experience the albatross were nesting guide was great spoke too fast when time ticked over but we got to see everything the gun in the tunnel was a favorite with 9 and 5yr old grandchildren AND their Dad thank you the price was a bit steep but the experience was priceless thanks again Queenie”
Allan Mckie
a year ago
“This is one of the cooler things that NZ has to offer from a history point of view. A restored military fort, first used in the late 1800s to counter the Russian threat (sound familiar?). This tour ties in nicely with the Royal Albatross Centre tour as it's in the same place”
Roger Burra
4 years ago
“My son and I had a wonderful visit. Our guide was really nice and responsive. He made the visit really interesting for us. Although not the ideal time of year, we saw several male Albatross that had arrive ahead of their mates to get ready for breeding.”
esa aho
a year ago
“The famous disappearing gun. A well kept piece of the rather short foreing war history of NZ. Included in Albratross centre tour.”
Reviews from Google
Overview
Fort Taiaroa at Harington Point is a 19th-century coastal defence installation. Guided tours pass through the underground tunnel to the Armstrong Disappearing Gun — a hydraulically operated cannon that retracts into its pit after firing. Guides cover the fort's role from the Russian scare of the 1880s through to Cold War use. The site sits within the Taiaroa Head reserve alongside the Royal Albatross Colony; combined tickets are available.
