Essence of Townsville (Small Group)
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Port
Townsville, Australia
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Activity Level
Moderate Activity
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Excursion Type
All
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Wheelchair Accessible
No
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Starting At (prices in USD)
$110
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Minimum Age
Information Not Currently Available
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Duration
Approximately 3 Hours
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Meals Included
Meals not included
Delve into the military history of Townsville, home to Australia’s largest defence 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 and stories from our experienced guide with over 25 years of Military service.
Next, through exhibitions at the museum within the 19th-century Kissing Point Fort, you will learn about the Australian Army in North Queensland, which began with volunteer rifle companies in the early 1880s. The collection features 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 defence, 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.