False Cape Battery, Military fortification in East Trinity, Australia

False Cape Battery stands at Yarrabah Road, East Trinity, on the far side of Trinity Inlet from Cairns. Built in 1942–1943, it held two 155-millimetre guns supplied at General Douglas MacArthur's request, with an observation post and magazine. H Battery's camp lay about 500 yards south near a freshwater stream, in timber buildings from Johnson's sawmill at Stratford.

This fortification was constructed between 1942 and 1943 as part of Australia's coastal defense system against potential Japanese attacks during World War II. The rapid development of these coastal installations reflected the immediate threat posed by Japanese expansion across the Pacific.

The name Leper Bay comes from late 1889, when a Chinese man and a Malay man from Cairns were isolated in tents on the slope above the beach, awaiting transfer to the leper station at Dayman Island. The name was later changed to Sunny Bay.

You can explore the remaining concrete structures on site, with information displays and guided tours available to help you understand the military history. The site sits on elevated terrain with uneven ground, so wear appropriate footwear for walking around.

The observation post stood on a high ridge, allowing personnel to spot targets and relay information down to gunners positioned in lower areas. This elevated vantage point was crucial for the battery's defense effectiveness.