In 1850, a small gun was sited on top of the hill which fired to announce to the arrival of mail ships.

In the 1870s the growing Russian fleet in the North Pacific led to fears of an invasion. The fortification of North Head began in 1875 and by 1889 North Head's Fort Cautley was well established with new guns and an 8-inch disappearing gun.

During the 1890's Fort Cautley was completed with tunnels, underground storerooms, barracks, kitchens and searchlight emplacements. When the Russian invasion did not eventuate, it was decided to dismantle the guns.

The government decided in 1933 to re-arm North Head. When Japan entered WWII in 1941, the defences were scaled up. However, the only shots fired from North Head were for practice or as salutes.

At the end of the war North Head became a park and is now run by the Department of Conservation as a historic reserve. The tunnels today are worth a good look around, especially the disappearing gun.

Architecture
Devonport features many examples of period architecture. The beautifully restored homes, some built 150 years ago, include styles such as Victorian, Colonial, Georgian, Bungalows and huge Villas. The main street also features the Esplanade Hotel, first built in 1864 as the "Flagstaff Hotel" then rebuilt and renamed in 1902.