Discover Brisbane - Pinkenba

We love cruising and can't wait until the new Port of Brisbane is opened in Nov. 2020 at Luggage Point, near Myrtletown. We decided to go for a drive to have a look at the progress - couldn't see a lot, but we know cruises for the big ships leaving from Brisbane in Nov 2020 are now for sale. On the way along the main road out to the Port - Main Beach Road - we detoured to Myrtletown Reserve and found an historic site we didn't even know about.
This is all we could see of the new port construction - not much.
A brief history:-
May 1770, Captain Cook passed the Morton Bay area, land of Quandamooka people, and named it.
1799, Matthew Flinders, explored the Bay landing at Pumicestone Passage, Redcliffe, passing the mouth of the Brisbane River and landing at Coochiemudlo Island.
November 1823 Lt. John Oxley, under order from Governor Brisbane, explored the bay in search of a new Penal Colony.
September 1824, the Moreton Bay Convict Settlement was established at Humpybong, Redcliffe, but proved to be infested with mosquitoes, and difficult to defend, so a site further south was chosen.
May 1825, the new site was chosen along the now Brisbane River and named Brisbane.
1830, Pinkenbah area established, mainly as a storage area with few houses. Pinkenba is located near the mouth of the Brisbane River, about 10k from the city. The name comes from the Aboriginal word binkinba, meaning 'place of tortoises'. The name was was used for many years.
1885, a reserve was gazzetted for recreation, and not long after an adjoining reserve was created as a boat landing. Both reserves were joined in 1925 and became known as Myrtletown Reserve.
1897, the railway was established and the name Pinkenba was formally recognised.
1915, the Pinkenba Wharf was used as the point of embarkation for WW1 soldiers.
By 1928 a portion of Pinkenba was known as Myrtletown, and was a small farming area. 
1930's Pinkenba bcame the base for QANTAS Flying Boat.
1971 the local school closed and many of the residents left due to the construction of the Brisbane Airport.
Myrtletown Reserve
In search of finding the river bank, we came across Myrtletown Reserve. There is a covered picnic area near a BBQ, and a few random tables and benches. There is a great information board that explains the history of the station really well.

During WW2, Moreton Bay was protected by RAN stations numbered from 1 to 10. RAN 1 was located near Caloundra, and RAN 10 was a Naval Store at Pinkenba. Myrtletown Reserve was where RAN 9 was located. It was a designated indicator loop and photo-electric beam monitoring complex to detect Japanese submarines attempting to navigate the Brisbane River. Still remaining today are the concrete control and generator building, along with some concrete slabs from the staff quarters and mess hall.

RAN Station 9 at Myrtletown Reserve was listed on the Queensland Heritage Register in July 2008.

Today the area is mainly industrial. It will be interesting to see what the Brisbane City Council will do along the route from the new port to the city. I'm hoping for a city cat service from the boat to the city.