About

In the heart of Outback Queensland lies Charleville, a historic town of 3,000 residents harbouring one of World War II's most intriguing military secrets. Located 750km west of Brisbane along the Warrego Highway, Charleville served as home to a crucial United States Army Air Force base that played a vital but long-hidden role in the Pacific Theatre.

During WWII, this outback community welcomed 3,500 American servicemen who operated across a variety of different military units, conducting classified operations that would significantly impact the war effort. The entire township was sworn to secrecy about the top-secret military operations taking place in what is now our infamous "vault" - a building that still stands today. For years, the full scope and importance of this base remained unknown to many, even those who call Charleville home.

What began in 2012 as a modest tag-along tour has flourished into today's WWII Secret Base. Through growing community support and our partnership with Griffith University, we've expanded from those early tours into a full-scale exhibition that brings this fascinating chapter of history to life. Since officially opening our dedicated interactive exhibit in 2023, we've continued our mission of uncovering and preserving the rich military heritage of Australia's outback.

Our signature tag-along tour guides you through the original base sites, where you'll witness firsthand the remarkable ingenuity of American forces who established this remote outpost. This experience is enhanced by our interactive exhibition, which uncovers deeply personal stories of how the base transformed Charleville. In collaboration with the Charleville RSL Sub-branch, our Outback Heroes section pays special tribute to past and present service members, preserving their legacy.

With each passing month, new stories emerge and fresh details come to light about Charleville's remarkable wartime role. As families share their memories and more historical records surface, we continue to expand our exhibition and deepen our understanding of this extraordinary chapter in Australia's military history. This is a living history that grows richer with every discovery.