Public invited to visit one of Australian Defence Force’s busiest army bases this weekend

Thousands of people are anticipated to take a peek behind the barricades of one of the Australian Defence Force’s largest Army bases in Brisbane this weekend.

A rare opportunity for the public to have a glimpse inside one of Australia’s busiest Army bases is on offer this weekend. Picture: Chris McCormack.

Members of the public are invited to a rare behind the scenes look at an Australian Army base where a flyover, red berets and champion drone operators will take to the air.

About 20,000 people are expected to attend the annual Gallipoli Barracks open day on Lloyd Street, Enoggera Saturday where the Australian Defence Force will have their latest equipment on display alongside various demonstrations from different units.

One of the Army’s busiest bases, Gallipoli Barracks is home to about 5000 personnel and several different military units, including the 7th Brigade, the 1st Australian Division Deployable Joint Force, the 16th Aviation Brigade and the 11th Brigade.

The 7th Brigade is the Australian Defence Force’s “ready brigade”, which generates the rapid-deployment Ready Battle Group.

M777 155mm Howitzer artillery gun will be on display at the Gallipoli Barracks Open Day on Saturday. Picture: Supplied

The Army’s Special Operation Command Red Berets parachute display team are scheduled to jump as part of a Royal Australian Air Force C-27J Spartan flyover at the free, family friendly event.

Visitors to the open day, which runs from 1pm-7pm, will be able to view a M777 155mm Howitzer artillery gun, along with rifles, machine guns and other weapons.

Boxer Combat Reconnaissance, Hawkei Protected Mobility and Heavy Recovery vehicles – along with a navy Rigid-Hulled Inflatable Boat – will also be on site in a display of the latest generation of armoured vehicles.

Other demonstrations will include an infantry attack as well as one by an Explosive Ordnance Detection dog, while the Australian Army Band will perform covers of modern and classic hit songs throughout the day.

Some members of the Australian Army Drone Racing Team, who fly First-Person-View drones, will be on hand to show off their prowess with a static and a flying display.

First-person-view drones are unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) with a mounted camera that transmit live vision back to a mobile device with a screen – such as a smartphone – or to goggles worn by the radio-controlled machine’s pilot, giving them a first-person perspective

Some members of the Australian Army Drone Racing Team will be on hand at the open day. Picture: Supplied

Some of their fellow AADRT members notched up their fourth international win Thursday at the Military International Drone Racing Tournament in the US.

The Australian team won the same tournament in the UK for the past three years.

An Australian Department of Defence spokeswoman said the annual open day was “an opportunity to open our doors to the community and offer a rare, behind-the-scenes look at Army life and ADF capabilities.”

“It’s a chance for the public to meet the people behind the uniform, see our equipment and capabilities up close, and gain a better understanding of the diverse roles in the ADF,” she said.

Members of a military historic re-enactment group, Army cadets and Defence careers recruiters will also be in attendance to help answer any questions at the open day, which culminates with fireworks at 6.30pm.

Amusement rides and food vans will also be available.

MORE INFORMATION

WHAT: Annual Gallipoli Barracks Open Day

WHEN: 1pm-7pm Saturday, May 17, 2025

WHERE: Gallipoli Barracks, Lloyd Street, Enoggera, Brisbane

TICKETS: Free, but registration is required in advance at Eventbrite.com.au

MORE INFO: No public parking on base. Public transport is highly recommended.

Originally published as Public invited to visit one of Australian Defence Force’s busiest army bases this weekend