All over Queensland you will see signs directing travellers off the Bruce Highway to visit a "Historical Site". Quite often people drive past these sites without giving a second thought as to why that location is significant. It is hoped that this cache will give you the opportunity to take a short detour (only 5km) and venture through the cane fields to the site of the former 1st Australian Field Experimental Station.
In late November 1943 the Department of Munitions began planning the construction of a new chemical warfare research station at Proserpine. The station, located on a farming property at a railway siding named Gunyarra, was a self-contained camp, housing some 250 to 500 military personnel and scientists. Supporting staff were drawn from most of the Allied forces. Station numbers were augmented from time to time by the attachment of volunteers from the Australian forces to participate in experiments and simulated attacks involving poison gas. A monument to commemorate those who served at the station was erected in 1996 as a joint project between the Proserpine Historical Society and the Proserpine R.S.L.
If you would like to find out more about the history of the station visit: http://www.ww2places.qld.gov.au/places/?id=730 and http://www.ozatwar.com/locations/gunyarra.htm.
The drive to the monument is just under 5km from the highway on a sealed road taking you through farming land where you will also get the chance to spot a wide variety of wildlife, from wallabies, eagles and even the odd emu from time to time.
Please be careful how you return the cache as it will only be hidden if you put it back in the right spot and it will not stick anywhere else. Do not drop it when placing it back or will be hard to retrieve. Also if you are planning on a night visit then bring a torch.