Fort Lytton National Park preserves two nationally significant heritage sites - Fort Lytton (1880 - 1945) and Lytton Quarantine Station (1915 - 1982). These sites served to protect Brisbane from foreign aggression and disease.
Fort Lytton - Brisbane's frontline defence
This coastal fortress - pentagonal-shaped fort with it's grassy parapets surrounded by a water-filled moat - is a unique piece of nineteenth century military architecture. Built in 1880, Fort Lytton was used as a defensive position and training base by the Australian armed forces until the end of World War II. Each year the Fort's outer grounds hosted the Easter Encampments, a training camp for Queensland's military volunteer force.
Opening hours
Fort Lytton is open every Sunday and most public holidays from 10am to 4pm. Tours depart from the visitor information centre and run for approximately 90 minutes. If walking around the fort unguided, remember the historic structures can be fragile. Protect them and stay safe by keeping behind the roped off areas.
While these are the official opening hours, I have walked in during the week and had a wander around. The rangers don't seem to mind. I've even had a nice chat with them once or twice.
Waypoint 1 - Gun Park
The park contains a number of artillery pieces used by the Royal Australian Artillery during wartime. From 1943 Lytton was also home to 1 Australian Heavy Training Battery, which provided instruction on heavy artillery prior to the despatch of troops to north Queensland or New Guinea.
The 40mm Bofors LAA manual gun has a blue plate with white numbers on it. A = the last digit on the blue plate.
Waypoint 2 - Carron Cannon
Manufactured at the Carron Works in Scotland in 1798, this 24-pounder smooth-bore cannon was one of twelve obtained by the new colony of Queensland in 1862. Obsolete before they arrived, the cannons were used as a saluting rather than a defensive battery.
On the side of the cannon, where it rests on the mount is three lines of white text. B = the first digit beneath "Carron" on the north side of cannon.
Waypoint 3 - Great Expectations
The 80-pounder Armstrong guns were installed in gun emplacements (or gun pits) one and two in 1883. They were mounted on wrought iron carriages and were originally loaded at the muzzle rather than the breech.
The weight of the gun is printed in red text on the side where it rests on the mount. C = the third digit of the gun weight
Waypoint 4 - The Disappearing Guns
Originally the location of one of the 80-pounder rifled muzzle-loading guns, this position was extensively modified to accommodate the new 6-inch, 5-ton Armstrong breech-loading gun. The gun was loaded in the pit where the gun crew were safe from enemy fire.
At the breech end of the gun, some letters and numbers have been stamped into the metal. D = the first digit on the bottom line that begins "No."
Waypoint 5 - Adjusting to Faster Threats
Commencement of World War II saw a new emphasis placed on the fort's role and the defence of the Brisbane River. Threat of attack by Japanese midget submarines or fast motor torpedo boats led to the installation of the quick-firing twin 6-pounder gun in 1943.
How many wheels does the cart on the rails have? E = 2 * the answer.
Note: apparently the cart is no longer here. But really, how many wheels is a cart on a rail likely to have?
Waypoint 6 - Rearming the Fort
The 64-pounder gun, originally located in this gun pit, was replaced by a Hotchkiss gun in 1893. The pit lay vacant from World War I till the fort was rearmed during World War II.
On the sign is a photo of the four members of the gun crew. F = the last digit of the Australian War Memorial Negative number for that photo.
Waypoint 7 - Submarine Mines
Primers used in the submarine mines underwent trial detonation in the adjacent pit. It was built in 1899, and later used as a Detonator Store and an Isolation Magazine during WWII.
G = the second digit printed on the cone-shaped mine that is on the ground
Waypoint 8 - Resurrected from Rust
These rifled muzzle-loading guns, which fired a projectile weight 64 pounds (29kg) up to a distance of 13,123 feet (4000m) were part of the original 1881 armament installed inside the fort. Positioned here in 1892 for training purposes, the guns were additional cover for the submarine mines laid across the river during wartime.
How high (in metres) was the pointed palisade fence which protected the rear of the guns? H = first digit of answer
Final
To find the final cache container go to S27° 2A.BCD E153° 0E.FGH. The cache is not situated inside the National Park but is close by.
Please take your time and learn about the history of the Fort. This is not a cache that you do merely to get a smiley or boost your numbers. My hope is that you learn something from it and gain an appreciation of a part of our city's history.