Brisbane’s hidden WWII relics you can take your kids to
From air raid shelters, a gun battery to Macarthur Chambers, World War II relics are scattered across Brisbane. Here’s where you can find them.
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World War II relics are scattered across Brisbane with some transformed into eateries while others are hidden on back roads.
Brisbane used to be the southwest Pacific headquarters for United States forces with nearly 80,000 troops stationed in the River City.
Ahead of Anzac Day’s commemoration on Friday, here are a few locations where we can still see the wartime remains, and ones that you can take the family to.
Macarthur Chambers
The nine-storey dwelling used to be the insurance company Australian Mutual Provident Society’s state headquarter before being taken over by the US military as the southwest Pacific headquarter. It was occupied by various military units and offices across the building.
The building was listed in the state heritage register for its historic significance in 1992 and now contains an apartment hotel, an Apple Store and a museum.
Location: 229 Queen St, Brisbane City
Officers Mess
A submarine base was established as the United State navy warships arrived in New Farm in 1942. Soon later, US Army General Douglas MacArthur also relocated the southwest Pacific headquarter from Melbourne to Brisbane, prompting more US personnel in the city.
The US navy acquired the riverside site from the council and built the Commissioned Officers’ Club where the officers watched movies, danced and had parties as the city lacked entertainment venues for the soldiers.
The site continued to be a food and event venue under its historic name “Officers Mess” where people celebrate weddings and special functions. The roof was damaged after being hit by ex-tropical cyclone Alfred, but owner Will Griffin soon reopened the venue.
Location: 50 Oxlade Drive, New Farm
Red Brick Air Raid Shelters
Around 200 shelters with the power to withstand bombs were built for civilians across the city, but only about 20 survived. Most have been used as park shelters, while two red brick shelters could be found in Newmarket and Teneriffe.
They are both located next to a bus stop, where residents use for a temporary rest while waiting for buses.
Location: Cnr of Bank Street and Enoggera Terrace, Newmarket and Commercial Road, Teneriffe
Bunker Coffee
The air raid shelter in Milton has been transformed into a hole-in-the-wall coffee shop under the WWII pillbox style concrete bunker. Upon commercial and residential development in the nearby areas, Brisbane City Council put the landmark under emergency heritage protection in 2018 to prevent any chance it could be destroyed.
The historic bunker has now blended into the modern cityscape, offering quality coffees and pastries to nearby residents.
Location: 21 Railway Terrace
Greenslopes Private Hospital
The decision to build the city’s first permanent military hospital in Greenslopes was announced in August 1940 with the construction completed in two years to care for war casualties. The hospital was designed for 200 beds with a possibility to extend to 800 beds with Brisbane architects T. R. Hall and L.B. Philips supervising the build.
It was Queensland’s largest military hospital during World War II and cared for hospital ship Centaur torpedoing survivors in 1943 including Ellen Savage. Some historical structures still withstand these days, and a bunker inside the hospital has been repurposed as a museum.
Location: 83 Nicholson Street, Greenslopes
Hemmant Gun Battery
The Hemmant Gun Battery housed heavy anti-aircraft guns and ammunition for the Australian forces during WWII to protect the city’s port facilities and cover the Eagle Farm and Archerfield airfields.
The site has now been abandoned with metres-tall glass covering its surrounding areas, so it is totally a hidden spot.
Location: 214 Fleming Road, Hemmant
Capalaba US Radio Receiving Station
The US Army established a radio receiving station on Willard’s Farm in Capalaba to receive short-wave radio with Washington DC in order to keep contact with them.
The rectangular brick building still stands with works undergoing by the Redland City Council to turn it into a memorial and contemplation space to pay homage to war and peacekeeping services as part of the Birkdale Community Precinct.
Location: 362-388 Old Cleveland Road East, Birkdale
Salisbury Textile Factory
The factory building was part of the Rocklea Munitions Works where bullets were produced during WWII. More than 1m shell cases were manufactured before the production was ceased, according to council documents.
The site was leased to several secondary industries over decades which manufactured textile and biscuits, and is now abandoned with fabrics still in the loom, but Gold Coast Textiles applied for a development permit to divide it into four lots that has been under council review.
Location: 14 Engineering Street, Salisbury
Originally published as Brisbane’s hidden WWII relics you can take your kids to
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