Jezzine Barracks

Jezzine Barracks is a 34-hectare heritage parkland precinct at Kissing Point in North Ward, Townsville, Queensland. Developed on the site of a former Australian Army barracks established in the late 19th century, it was redeveloped and opened to the public in 2014. The precinct combines restored military buildings, the Kissing Point Fort, the Army Museum North Queensland, coastal boardwalks, and landscaped grounds overlooking Cleveland Bay and Magnetic Island.

Visitors can explore a coastal heritage precinct with restored barracks buildings, landscaped parklands, and elevated fortifications at Kissing Point. The site includes the Army Museum North Queensland, interpretive displays, Aboriginal heritage trails with public art, coastal boardwalks and lookouts with views to Magnetic Island and Cleveland Bay, open lawns, picnic areas, and walking paths connecting Rowes Bay and The Strand.

The site was established in 1885 as Kissing Point Barracks to provide coastal defence for Townsville. It served as a military training and defence installation for over 100 years, including use during both World Wars. Renamed Jezzine Barracks in honour of the Battle of Jezzine in Lebanon in 1941, it was progressively developed as a major Australian Army base before being decommissioned and redeveloped as a public heritage precinct opened in 2014, retaining the Kissing Point Fort which is listed on the Queensland Heritage Register.

The precinct acknowledges the traditional Country of the Bindal and Wulgurukaba peoples through interpretive trails, artwork and place names. It also preserves and interprets Townsville's military heritage, commemorating Australian Army service and coastal defence history through restored buildings, the fort, and the Army Museum North Queensland.