Fort Lytton National Park, located on the banks of the Brisbane River, is a place where local history connects to global events. Fort Lytton is the birthplace of Queensland's military history. Built in 1880-81 to protect Brisbane from enemy attack, the Fort is the principal remaining landmark of a reserve that for 40 years was the focus of Queensland's defence activity.
The Fort itself is a typical nineteenth century garrison - a pentagonal fortress concealed behind grassy embankments - surrounded for greater protection by a water-filled moat. Located near the mouth of the Brisbane River, it was designed to support the controlled river mines and counter any determined effort by enemy ships to attack the Port of Brisbane and hold the city to ransom.
The Australian colonies were part of the British Empire, which had made many enemies by the nineteenth century, when colonial powers were rapidly expanding their empires. At the time the Fort was built, Brisbane had fewer than 100,000 people, with an annual trade worth more than four million pounds.
Before the Great War began in 1914, Lytton was the main training ground for the Queensland Defence Force. The first annual encampment held at Lytton in 1881 was the fourth annual training camp for Queensland's volunteer soldiers. The annual camps were run by permanent defence staff and provided the only regular training for the volunteers. They became a highlight in Queensland's political and social calendar. Every year, Brisbane's citizens would travel by train or boat to Lytton to watch the spectacular military manoeuvres and ceremonial displays. Tales of camp revelry, daring and fellowship survive that era.
Fort Lytton was put to the test twice in World War l. The Fort's guns were used to warn a Dutch steamer and a fishing vessel which tried to ignore the official procedure before going upriver. During World War II the Fort was upgraded with additional weapons and a new searchlight. The fort played a secondary role to the more modern batteries on Moreton and Bribie Islands but had the important responsibility of keeping enemy vessels from entering the river by the operation of a boom gate across the river. The remains of the winch system that controlled the boom are adjacent to the searchlight. In 1945 the fortifications were decommissioned, and the main operations became signalling on Signal Hill.
As is evident, over time its role evolved, serving as a critical defence installation during both World War I and World War II, as well as housing a Quarantine Station that helped protect Queensland from the spread of infectious diseases. The preserved ramparts, cannons, and military structures offer students a vivid reminder of the city's strategic importance and Australia's place in world history.
Students can step back into this living history through our immersive Theatre-in-Education programs, delivered in partnership with the Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service. Interactive performances bring the stories of soldiers, nurses, and everyday people to life, making the past both memorable and meaningful. By exploring the site and engaging in role-play, students not only deepen their understanding of history and social change but also connect with the human experiences that shaped Brisbane and its community during times of challenge and resilience.
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