Tomaree Lodge

Tomaree Lodge is a military site at Tomaree Headland in Shoal Bay with ten single-story timber buildings set across terraced grounds. The property features administrative structures, staff residences, a recreation hall, a swimming pool, and work sheds spread over approximately 8.8 hectares on the western foreshore.

The complex was built in 1942 by the New South Wales Department of Public Works as a military camp during World War II for Australian and US troops. After the war ended, it was converted in 1947 to serve as a residential care facility.

The site reflects its transformation from a military base into a care facility that served people with developmental needs starting in 1947. Visitors today can observe how the original purpose remains evident in the layout and structure of the buildings.

The site sits within Tomaree National Park and can be explored on foot, with various paths connecting the buildings and grounds. Because it features flat landscaping and open areas, the terrain is relatively easy to walk across.

The grounds are marked by Norfolk Island pines and weathered rubble walls that define the original defensive position. These walls are constructed from randomly stacked stone and create a distinctive character across the landscape.