Townsville Military Past

OVERVIEW

Delve into the military history of Townsville, the home of Australia’s largest defense base. Begin your journey with a drive to the RAAF base, where you’ll have the unique opportunity to stop and get up close with impressive, retired military aircraft, offering a fascinating glimpse into aviation history. Next, through exhibitions at the museum within the 19th-century Kissing Point Fort, you will learn about the Australian Army in North Queensland, which volunteer rifle companies started in the early 1880s. The collection includes colonial tents, interactive World War I and II displays and historical photos of local soldiers fighting in Korea and Vietnam. After exploring the museum, walk over to the Kissing Point Fortification, originally constructed in the 1880s to defend the coastline from potential naval threats and protect the strategic port of Townsville. Positioned on a rocky headland, the fort offered commanding views of the Coral Sea, Magnetic Island, and the surrounding region. During World War II, Kissing Point played a pivotal role in coastal defense, as Townsville became a crucial military hub for the Allied forces in the Pacific. Today, remnants of the fort, including heavy artillery, bunkers, and observation posts, stand as powerful reminders of its wartime significance.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Discover the essential role that the military has played in Townsville’s development.
• Browse a collection of wartime artifacts, weapons and planes at the military museum and the RAAF base.
• Learn about the pivotal role of Kissing Point Fortification played in coastal defense when Townsville became a crucial military hub for the Allied forces in the Pacific.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.