Built in 1883 to defend Adelaide from foreign invaders, Fort Largs has always been a restricted area; inaccessible to the public.
Most notable are the two 6-inch Mk VII breech loading Armstrong Guns capable of firing a 45 kg shell 13,400 meters at 8 rounds per minute.
Rail tracks were used to cart the shells from the magazine into tunnels beneath the guns. There lifts carried the shells up to the base of the Armstrong Guns.
The Schweppes tunnel starts with some amazing street art on the concrete walls.
As you navigate your way inside, light streams down from grates in the ceiling giving you the sense you’re in a lit corridor.
Moving onward the tunnel changes to a more older looking brick and slate walling before returning back to concrete just as you burst out topside.
Unbeknown to most, beneath Adelaide city streets are a treasure-trove of hidden goodies! Down within the basement of this otherwise normal commercial building holds clues of its past…
Built in the 1850’s, this former Banks basement still contains the original vault rooms and strong boxes that would have held the money and valuables of Adelaide’s wealthy upper class.
The vault doors, typically made of steel reinforced concrete, are secured by massive metal bolts extending from the door into the surrounding frame. Dual combination dials are usually used for increased security. No single person is given both combinations, requiring two people to operate the door.
Currently being used as storage, we hope some day people will be allowed access to see this location.
