Townsville, Queensland, is surrounded by historical forts that showcase the region's military history. Two notable examples are the Green Hill Fort and the Kissing Point Fortification. Green Hill Fort is a heritage-listed fortification located on Thursday Island in the Torres Strait. Built in the late 19th century, it has significant heritage value for its associations with Colonel Sir W F D Jervois and Major Druitt RE of the Queensland Permanent Artillery. The fort was designed to protect the coaling station at Thursday Island and played an important role in the defense planning of Australia during that time.
Kissing Point Fortification is another heritage-listed fortification situated in North Ward, City of Townsville, Queensland. Constructed in the late 1800s, it was built to defend Townsville Harbour against naval invasion by the French and Russians. The fortification consists of two gun emplacements, two searchlight installations, a command post, and a sizeable camp. Today, visitors can explore the site and learn about its history, including its role in World War II.
In addition to these forts, Townsville is home to the Army Museum North Queensland, which showcases the city's military history. The museum is operated by Australian Defence and has three large galleries dedicated to pre-Federation battles, World Wars 1 & 2, and more recent conflicts in the Middle East and Asia. A visit to these historical sites offers a fascinating glimpse into Townsville's military past and the broader context of Australian defense history.