Castle Hill WWII relics loop - Trip Report
Explore Castle Hill’s hidden WWII relics & bunkers on this 8 km loop in Townsville. From ammo bunkers and searchlight sites to quarry ruins and stone fortifications, this moderate hike combines history, off-track adventure, and sweeping views—perfect for fit walkers seeking heritage and exploration.
Date: 01/10/2025
Leader: Luen Warneke
Party: 4 walkers
Grade: Moderate (off-track sections, rock slabs, prickly scrub)
Distance/duration: ~5 km, 1 hour 50 minutes
Ascent: ~360 m
Start/finish: Lower Cutheringa Track car park, North Ward
Four of us set off at 4:30 p.m. from the Cudtheringa Track trailhead to explore Castle Hill's network of World War II relics. The weather was warm but clear, with a pleasant breeze on the ridges. Carrying head torches, we planned a loop linking bunkers, quarry sites, and historic terraces before finishing by dusk.
Route & highlights
- Ammo Bunker & Erythrina Track bend: From the lower car park, we visited the old ammunition bunker, then climbed Castle Hill Rd to join Erythrina Track.
- Searchlight tower site: Short side trip to the concrete pads of the searchlight emplacement, recently exposed by a controlled burn. We spotted several old camp terraces nearby. Stories of AWAS polishing the searchlight mirror to sweep across Cleveland Bay.
- Ladies Track to stair down to the Castle Hill Road: Regained the main track and took Ladies Track to the upper precinct. Crossed road straight onto Ironbark Track.
- Ironbark descent to Triandra & quarry: Descended steep Ironbark, then went off-track down a scrubby ridge (recently burnt in a controlled burn) to Triandra and the quarry benches. The quarry features still spark “tunnel” stories.
- West End stone fortifications: Explored stone walls and terraces near Francis/Sidney Streets. More homestead relics than military, but still fascinating. The “gun-port” stone walls actually belong to a pre-war residence
- Green Street / Project 81 bunker & COIC site: Viewed the big bunker behind SES and the berm above the long-sealed Combined Operational Intelligence Centre site. Project 81 bunker camouflaged post-war with a fake house and washing line on top.
- Traverse to West Ridge Track: A scrubby off-track leg with spear grass and lantana, then up West Ridge to Castle Hill Rd.
- Road descent: We returned down the bitumen to the Cudtheringa car park, headtorches ready but arriving before full dark.
A well-paced evening outing linking many of Castle Hill's lesser-known wartime relics with modern walking tracks. A good balance of exercise, history, and exploration, with plenty of stories to connect the sites.
- Luen
