Legacies of War Brisbane
Set in peaceful surroundings amidst the energy and excitement of the city, the ANZAC Square War Memorial is dedicated to Australia's military heritage. Featuring the Eternal Flame of the Shrine of Remembrance as its focal point, the memorial also features special 'Touch and Tell' systems to explain the significance of ANZAC Square to visitors.
Adjacent to ANZAC Square, in the pedestrian tunnel, is the World War II Shrine of Memories, where visitors can view Unit Plaques, Honour Rolls and a specially designed mosaic composed of more than 140,000 hand-cut Venetian glass enamels, featuring soils from official World War II cemeteries.
| Where: | Adelaide Street, City. (Opposite Central Station) |
Some believe that the MacArthur Museum in Brisbane is as significant to Australia as London's Cabinet War Rooms are to Britain. The Museum includes the actual office that was occupied by General Douglas MacArthur when he directed the Allied Forces World War II Pacific campaign.
Experience Brisbane during the dark years of World War II, when the streets were lined with air-raid shelters, and military vessels crowded the banks of the Brisbane River. Imagine a time of censorship, rationing and blackouts, and meet the family man, General Douglas MacArthur, through fascinating themed displays that explore this period in time.
| Where: | Level 8 MacArthur Chambers, 201 Edward Street, City. |
| Phone: | +61 (0)7 3211 7052 |
| Website: | MacArthur Museum |
The Queensland Military Memorial Museum displays items of interest relating the history of Queenslanders' service in the defence forces from the early 1800s to the modern era.
Visitors can see fascinating items such as medals from the Maori Wars, photographs from pre-Federation Queensland, and weapons including an 1800 'Brown Bess' musket, swords and modern firearms.
Admire historical flags such as the regimental flag of the 2/26th Battalion of the Eight Division, proudly carried after the Fall of Singapore, and hidden from the Japanese through Changi and the Burma-Thai Railway.
| Where: | 28 Church Street, Fortitude Valley. |
| Phone: | +61 (0)7 3852 3565 |
| Website: | Queensland Military Memorial Museum |
Built by the Brisbane City Council, above-ground air raid shelters were erected all over Brisbane in 1942 to protect civilians in the event of an air raid attack. Just 21 - less than 10 per cent of these - survive today, designed to serve as bus waiting shelters or shade shelters after the war.
The reusable 'pillboxes', as they were called, could hold up to 70 people and were often sited under Moreton Bay fig trees in an attempt to help with camouflage. Those remaining today are scattered across Brisbane as originally intended - as public amenities, bus shelters, and shade havens.
| Where: | Acacia Ridge 174 Mortimer Rd Annerley Heffernan Park Brisbane City King Edward Park, 224 Turbot St, Wickham Park Kangaroo Point Raymond Park East, 184 Wellington St Morningside Cnr Wynnum Road and Thynne Road Newmarket Cnr Banks St and Enoggera Rd Newstead Commercial Rd Nundah Cnr Sandgate Rd and Wood St Stones Corner 286 Logan Rd Windsor Intersection of Lywyche Rd, Truro St and Stoneleigh St Woolloongabba Buranda Playground, 34 Sword St and Raymond Park, 94 Baines St. |
The 2nd/14th Light Horse Regiment Museum holds a large and valuable collection of relics indigenous to the WWI Light Horse era, including unique leather accoutrements, sabres and saddlery.
Serving as a memorial to those who fought for their country during the Boer War, the days of the militia, both World Wars and through until the present, the museum also boasts a comprehensive variety of uniforms pertaining to all eras. A wonderful collection of medals and badges are also on display, complemented by an extensive array of old photographs.
| Where: | Chauvel Drive, Gallipoli Barracks, Enoggera. |
| Phone: | +61 (0)7 3871 1898 or +61 (0)7 3332 6648 |
| Website: | The 2nd/14th Light Horse Association |
Explore a 19th century pentagonal fortress, surrounded by a water filled moat and concealed in grassy embankments. Built in 1881 and used for the defence of Brisbane until the end of the Second World War, Fort Lytton is an important historical site.
View the comprehensive display in the museum, which serves to interpret Queensland's military and social history from the 1800s through to the middle of the 20th century.
| Where: | Corner of Lytton Road and South Street, Lytton. |
| Open: | From 10.00am to 4.00pm, Sundays and public holidays Please Note: The last tour for the day starts at 2.00pm. |
| Admission: | Adult $4.50 Child $2.50 Concession $2.50 Family $14.00 (2 adults and 2 children) |
| Phone: | +61 (0)7 3393 4647 (Sunday to Friday) |
| Website: | Fort Lytton |
The Freemasons Ann Street Memorial Centre is the headquarters of the craft in Queensland, and a memorial dedicated to those who gave their lives in the World Wars. The grand hall of the centre features original furniture from Queensland timbers such as cedar, maple and silky oak, and houses one of the state's largest pipe organs.
The centre features a museum with a fascinating collection of artefacts from the early days of Freemasonry, and a well equipped library boasting many books of historical significance.
| Where: | 311 Ann Street, City. |
| Phone: | +61 (0)7 3229 3533 |
Displaying a comprehensive collection of weapons and a fascinating display of medals, the Victoria Barracks Museum represents a history of Australian servicemen and women from the Boer War through until 1980. A large display of medals is on display, showcasing awards received for service and gallantry.
Dating from 1864, the barracks themselves are heritage listed, and contain reminders of the Commonwealth's early days. Because the site is still in use today, public access is restricted to the weekends.
| Where: | Victoria Barracks, Petrie Terrace. |
| Phone: | +61 (0)7 3233 4531 |
