Possum Park is on a 700-acre property north of Miles in south-east Qld. During WWII, half of it was used by the RAAF 3CR Kowguran unit as an ammunition storage base incorporating 20 underground bunkers. Some 2500 tons of ammunition was stored here and it formed part of the Brisbane Line, a boundary that our troops would allegedly fall back to if the north was invaded. The camp was disbanded in 1957.

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PARK FACILITIES
David and Julie Hinds purchased the property in 1985 and have converted several of the bunkers into motel-type, air-conditioned units. Others have been turned into a military museum, a dining room for groups, a souvenir shop and a play and games room.
Railway carriages dating back to the 1940s have been refurbished as accommodation units, plus a reading room and TV room. A replica railway station and crossing add to the effect. There is also a self-contained ‘igloo’ with a fireplace and ensuite suitable for a large family (up to 10 people), with wheelchair-friendly facilities and a double carport. Each underground bunker unit has a carport and barbecue and is very private.
The entrance to Possum Park is well signposted on the Leichhardt Highway 20km north of Miles, and you turn off on the one-way dirt road for just 1km until you reach the office, which happens to be David and Julie’s underground bunker home. The office is not always attended, as there is much work to be done keeping the existing facilities well maintained and building new ones.
This road is fine for most big rigs, but we suggest you phone first so they are expecting you. For seriously big rigs, there is a back entrance.
The park is purely a tourist park with no permanents. Because of the abundant wildlife and birds, no domestic pets are allowed.
All sites have power, water and sullage, while the amenities include ensuite-type units as well as male/female blocks, a family ensuite and disabled facilities. At the time of writing, further ensuite units were being built. There’s a small, clean laundry with iron and ironing board.
David has also created several sites for those who do not require power, and these have a small fire ring for cool evenings.
A camping area has been set aside for tents, and there is a camp kitchen as well as electric barbecues. A seating area around a large fire pit is popular with all visitors for happy hour. You can cook your camp-oven meal here, and the fire is lit every night during the winter tourist season.
A reliable supply of sub-artesian bore water is used throughout the park and there are several rainwater tanks for drinking water.

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ACTIVITIES
It is amazing to think of the work this pair has done to bring the park up to its present state. The property is themed around the 1940s war era, and a walk (or drive) around the area will bring you to many underground bunkers. David has an original WWII army jeep in which he often races around, and he plans to purchase a DC3 plane.
Julie is a well known horsewoman and has horses in an adjoining paddock, and David may introduce you to his cattle. If it has been raining, various waterways fill small dams, and one contains yellowbelly and red-claw crayfish that David has introduced. Fishers can throw in a line or a pot.
Possum Park is in an arid area, and Julie has filled the gardens with plants that survive and thrive in the dry conditions. The brightly coloured bougainvilleas were in full bloom while we were there.

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THE MILES AREA
Being only 20km from Miles, which is on the intersection of the Warrego and Leichhardt highways, you are close to supermarkets, car and tyre dealers and the usual businesses located in a major country town. Miles also has a wonderful Historical Village that’s one of the best in the state.
Possum Park is a good base from which to explore the region, so ask David and Julie about discounts for longer stays. Suitable day trips include Roma with its Big Rig and the oldest winery in Qld, Dalby and the Bunya Mountains NP south-east of there, the Myall Park Botanic Garden at Glenmorgan and the war museum at Meandarra. All of these are less than two hours’ drive away.

Possum Park is roughly mid-way between Brisbane and Carnarvon Gorge, and a similar distance from Rockhampton. It’s a fascinating place
for a stopover.