Not many people know that the Brisbane Line was developed during WWII as a line of defence against the feared Japanese invasion.
Extensive underground concrete bunkers were constructed and equipped but after the war these fell into disuse. It wasn’t until 1985, when David and Julie Hinds bought the property, that the tourism possibilities were realised.
They turned eight of the original 20 bunkers into cool and comfortable underground rooms, adding some wartime railway carriages as self-contained cabins for train buffs. Some of the larger bunkers were turned into a morning tea room, souvenir shop, and rest facilities.
There’s plenty of memorabilia on display at Possum Park, but it’s still hard to imagine that these bunkers once held 2500 tonnes of bombs and ammo – enough to make quite a dent in any advancing army.
Where // Possum Park is near Miles, 360km west of Brisbane. (07) 4627 1651.
Did you know? // The town of Miles was originally called Dogwood Crossing but was renamed in 1878 by explorer Ludwig Leichhardt in honour of a local MP and Railways Minister William Miles. Not because it was miles from the capital.
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