Learn some of the rich history of the coastal town of Bowen.
Cache container is Micro and magnetic.
Visitors to Bowen can step back in time and discover the past by visiting the Catalina tribute erected on the original concrete hardstand base on Santa Barbara Pde. During the battle of the Coral Sea, construction of a slipway was commenced on the Bowen foreshore to maintain the Catalina Flying Boats and from 1942 this was the site of the various RAAF operational and maintenance units. Local buildings were commandeered to house the influx of servicemen & ground crews.
P/O Porteous was killed accidently during an air to sea gunnery training exercise flight that took place off Bowen on the 17 August 1943. The RAAF PBY-5 Catalina crashed into the sea and sank, with 6 crew & 8 medical personnel onboard losing their lives. Incorporating architectural elements inspired from the majestic sweep of a Catalina flying boat wing, the tribute records the contribution to the war effort from these unique machines and commemorates the lives of those who worked on them.