SITE PARTNER:   lexus of brisbane is valued partner of Must Do Brisbane

Air Raid Shelters

Teneriffe

Updated: Mar 08, 2025

With war clouds gathering over Australia after the bombing of Pearl Harbour by the Japanese in December 1941, on Christmas Eve it was decreed that all public and private employers and households were to immediately start building shelters. Initially this meant slit trenches dug into the ground, browning out of buildings and taping of windows while for the BCC it meant the mammoth task of building shelters in public places in the city area. The idea was that the shelters could withstand the force of a 500 pound bomb exploding 50 feet away.

Altogether 235 were built, and 90% were completed by June 1942, four months after the Japanese bombing of Darwin. City streets such as Ann St were studded with shelters down their middle. Of the 235, 21 survive today under the ownership of BCC as bus and park shelters and a public amenities blocks, resulting in features that are unique to Brisbane’s townscape. Architect FG Costello was responsible for the 3 types of ‘pillbox design’ intended to revert to other shelters after the war, which like the air raid shelters could accommodate 70 people. The idea was that the perimeter walls were removable, leaving the concrete slab roof, pillars and slab floor.

Of those intended to be park shelters, 17 survive (one as a toilet block in Nundah Village) but only 3 of the intended bus shelters survive – one at Newmarket outside the State School, one at Teneriffe Ferry Terminal and another variation using stone pillars at the base of King Edward Park.

Built-in workers shelters remain at the rear of the Story Bridge (named the Shelter Bar) and Howard Smith Wharves and at Redcliffe part of the bottle shop of the Ambassador Hotel is a former shelter.

 

Air Raid Shelters

Commercial Rd

Teneriffe

Map

Commercial Rd, Newstead, Queensland

Top Things To Do In Brisbane This Week

Get ready to laugh out loud as the Comedy@The Butter Factory series returns on June 28.
Indulge in a sumptuous Italian Long Lunch with family or friends at Cucina Regina
This extraordinary event features sensational bonfires and so much more
A hilarious musical about self-discovery, ballet, hip-hop and … a kangaroo!
Journey back in time at the Abbey Medieval Festival 2025!
Dog Man: The Musical is an epic musical adventure based on the bestselling series from Dav Pilkey
Dress up in red for a real life re-enactment of the famous Wuthering Heights film clip
Discover one of the greatest romance films of all time in an unforgettable evening of cinema!
Experience Queensland’s most scenic and longest-running fun run
MUST VISIT

Redlands Coast

With the glorious sunshine days of autumn and winter upon us, there's never been a better time to visit the beautiful Redlands Coast
Redlands Coast
The monster returns to QPAC
CONTENT RESUMES ON SCROLL
ADVERTISEMENT