Magnetic Battery, Military defense installation on Magnetic Island, Queensland, Australia.
Description
Magnetic Battery is a coastal artillery installation on Magnetic Island with preserved bunkers, gun emplacements, and observation posts positioned at key locations. It overlooks Cleveland Bay and the surrounding waters from multiple vantage points.
History
The Royal Australian Navy built this coastal defense site in 1942 as part of wartime protection measures. It was equipped with two French 155mm guns that could strike targets at significant distances over water.
Culture
The site tells the story of how local communities defended their coast during World War II, and today it sits naturally within walking trails that connect people with the landscape. The concrete structures serve as physical reminders of that era that visitors encounter as they move through the area.
Practical
Visitors reach the remains through The Forts Walk, a walking trail that spans several kilometers and begins near multiple bays on the island. The path allows access to the various preserved structures from different vantage points.
Did you know?
The Command Post still functions as a radio relay station and navigation aid for ships moving through the bay. This shows how military structures have retained practical purpose long after their original role ended.
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