Radar Station, Charlie's Hill facts for kids
Charlie's Hill Radar Station is a special historical site in Queensland, Australia. It was built in 1943 by the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) during World War II. This station helped protect Australia by watching for enemy aircraft. Today, it is listed on the Queensland Heritage Register as an important part of history.
Quick facts for kids Charlie's Hill Radar Station |
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Radar Station, Charlie's Hill
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| Location | Off Charlie's Hill Road, Inkerman, Shire of Burdekin, Queensland, Australia |
| Design period | 1939 - 1945 (World War II) |
| Built | 1943 |
| Official name: Radar Station, Charlie's Hill | |
| Type | state heritage (built, archaeological) |
| Designated | 23 February 2001 |
| Reference no. | 601716 |
| Significant period | 1943 (fabric) 1943-1945 (historical) |
| Significant components | footings, bunker - concrete, observation post (military) |
| Builders | Royal Australian Air Force |
| Lua error in Module:Location_map at line 420: attempt to index field 'wikibase' (a nil value). | |
Contents
History of Charlie's Hill Radar Station
Why Radar Stations Were Needed
The Charlie's Hill Radar Station was built in 1943. It was part of Australia's defenses during World War II. This station was located south of Home Hill in north Queensland.
Japan's attacks in 1941, including on Hawaii and Malaya, made Australia worried. The Australian Government quickly started building military sites in north Queensland.
Attacks on Darwin (March 1942) and Townsville (July 1942) sped up these plans. American troops also arrived in the north from March 1942.
The war then moved to New Guinea in May 1942. This made north Queensland even more important for defending against Japan. Radar stations were set up along the coast. They gave early warnings of enemy aircraft.
Building the Radar Station
The RAAF installed No. 211 Radar Station on Charlie's Hill in late 1943. It was one of twenty radar sites along the north Queensland coast. Many were in remote areas. However, Charlie's Hill was close to Home Hill.
This station was a "high flying" radar station. It was one of only two of its kind in north Queensland. It used British equipment.
The radar worked on a frequency of 42.05 megacycles per second. This allowed it to find the height of aircraft.
Two tall wooden towers, 186 feet high, stood about 100 meters apart. These towers held the transmitting and receiving antennas.
Radar Station Buildings
The radar equipment was kept in two strong, semi-circular buildings. These were called "igloos" and were made of reinforced concrete.
The eastern igloo held the receiving equipment. The western igloo held the transmitting equipment. These igloos were designed to be very strong.
Other buildings at the site included huts for sleeping, a dining area, toilets, and a power generator. These were built at the bottom of the hill.
Who Worked at the Station
No. 211 Radar Station was run by a small team. It included members of the RAAF and the Women's Auxiliary Australian Air Force (WAAAF). About 35 people usually worked there.
The station operated 24 hours a day. Shifts were usually eight hours long. Each shift had three or four people.
One person recorded messages. Another worked on a plotting table. There was also an operator and someone to use the telephone.
Staff would switch roles every two hours. This helped make the work less boring. RAAF staff lived at the site. WAAAF staff worked during the day. They stayed at a hotel in Home Hill.
After the War
After Japan surrendered in August 1945, military sites in north Queensland closed. The Charlie's Hill Radar Station stopped working on October 1, 1945.
The equipment was taken apart and removed. Before leaving, the officers and operators thanked the people of Home Hill. They hosted a tennis afternoon, dinner, and dance.
Since World War II, the Burdekin Tourism Association has looked after the site. It is now a local tourist attraction.
What You Can See at Charlie's Hill Today
Finding the Radar Station
The No. 211 Radar Station is south of Home Hill. You can get there from the Bruce Highway. Turn east onto Charlie's Hill Road and go about 2 kilometers. Then turn right onto an unsealed track. This track leads up to the radar station on top of Charlie's Hill.
The Igloo Buildings
You can still see the two semi-circular igloos. They were built on concrete foundations and are made of strong reinforced concrete. Each igloo has a tower at one end. These towers likely helped with air flow, pulling fresh air through the building. The two igloos are about 80 meters apart.
The eastern igloo, where receiving equipment was, is about 10 meters long and 6 meters wide. It has a small opening on one side. The main door is no longer there. It was likely designed to keep light out and air flowing.
Near this igloo, you can see four square concrete blocks. These were the foundations for the tall wooden tower that held the receiving antenna.
Spotter's Posts
To the northeast of the foundations, there is a "spotter's post." This is a concrete-lined hole in the ground, about chest height. Members of the Voluntary Air Observers' Corps (VAOC) used these posts. They would visually check for aircraft and ships to confirm radar readings. The telescope is no longer there.
North of the receiving igloo, there are two small concrete foundations. Their original purpose is not known.
The western igloo, where transmitting equipment was, is also about 10 meters long and 6 meters wide. You can see holes in the concrete floor where cables for the antennas came through.
West of this igloo are four more square concrete foundations. These were for the wooden tower that held the transmitting antennas. Another spotter's post is located in the middle of these foundations.
Why Charlie's Hill Radar Station is Important
A Piece of Queensland's History
Radar Station, Charlie's Hill, is listed on the Queensland Heritage Register. This means it is a very important historical site. It shows how Queensland helped defend Australia during World War II.
The site includes the two igloos, spotter's posts, and tower foundations. These parts help us understand the history of wartime defenses in north Queensland.
Learning from the Past
The No. 211 Radar Station is a great example of the defense sites built in north Queensland. It can teach us more about this part of Queensland's history.
It was one of many radar stations built along the coast. All these stations worked together to give early warnings of enemy aircraft.
Showing How Military Sites Were Designed
The design, layout, and location of the station show how World War II military sites were planned. It helps us understand the main features of these important defense structures.
