Discover the Toogoom Vietnam Shed
A REMARKABLE piece of Australian military history stands just minutes from the beaches of Toogoom on Queensland’s Fraser Coast.
Originally manufactured during the Vietnam War as an army mess hall, the Toogoom Vietnam Shed spent more than four decades in storage before beginning a new chapter as the home of the Toogoom & District RSL Sub-Branch.
Located about 16km from Hervey Bay, the restored shed now serves as both a community hub and an intriguing stop for travellers interested in military history, regional stories and lesser-known attractions across the Fraser Coast.
The Australian Army built the structure during the Vietnam conflict between 1962 and 1972 as one of hundreds of prefabricated halls designed for soldiers’ meals and recreation.
As Australia began withdrawing troops in the early 1970s, the Army never deployed many of the buildings.
Toogoom & District RSL Sub-Branch president and Vietnam veteran Ken Higgins said military contacts helped secure the shed before Australian Army personnel transported it north and assembled it in Toogoom in 2014.
“At Nui Dat we had one the same as this with verandas at each end,” he recalled.
“We played darts at one end, and at the other, the corporal ran the bar.”
Before its relocation, the shed sat in storage at Wallangarra Army Base near the Queensland-New South Wales border for around 45 years.
The project quickly became a community effort. While soldiers camped nearby, local volunteers painted the building and lined the interior walls with hardwood tongue-and-groove timber salvaged from the original packing crates.
Today, the building serves not only as a tribute to veterans but also as an emergency facility for the Toogoom community.
“It’s cyclone proof and authorities want to use it as an emergency centre,” Mr Higgins said.
“It’s self-contained and wired for a generator. If the power goes out, we just turn the generator on and everything runs as normal.”
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Unique Military Stop on the Fraser Coast
The Fraser Coast Military Heritage Trail links several significant sites across the region, including Maryborough’s Gallipoli to Armistice Memorial, military museum, memorial gates, cenotaph, wartime air raid shelter and the historic Z Force training grounds on K’gari (Fraser Island).
For travellers looking beyond whale watching and beaches, the Toogoom Vietnam Shed offers a different perspective on the Fraser Coast, one shaped by local stories, resilience and remembrance.
Mr Higgins said the group never intended to glorify war. Instead, members wanted to create a welcoming space for education, community activities and social connection.
“Cadets will use it, and we plan to run community health programs and have speakers come here to talk about rural firefighting and first aid,” he said.
The project has also inspired similar restoration efforts elsewhere in Australia, where community groups, sporting clubs and Scouts have adapted former military sheds for new purposes.
Why the Toogoom Vietnam Shed Matters
Part history lesson, part community project and part visitor attraction, the Toogoom Vietnam Shed highlights the enduring connection between regional Australia and military service.
It also shows that some of the Fraser Coast’s most interesting attractions lie beyond the obvious tourist trail. In places like Toogoom, local volunteers have preserved stories that might otherwise have been forgotten.
Combined with nearby beaches, fishing spots and relaxed coastal living, Toogoom offers visitors another reason to slow down and explore across Hervey Bay and the greater Fraser Coast.
Planning a Fraser Coast Road Trip?
Whether you’re exploring military history sites around Hervey Bay, taking a coastal drive to Toogoom, or discovering the stories behind places like K’gari and Maryborough, these travel partners may help make the journey easier and more comfortable.
Stay Nearby
🏨 Oaks Hervey Bay Resort & Spa
A relaxed waterfront base close to the Urangan Marina, ideal for exploring the wider Fraser Coast region at your own pace.
On the Road
🚗 Hertz Australia
Handy for Fraser Coast road trips, regional Queensland exploring and flexible day trips between Hervey Bay, Maryborough and Toogoom.
Travel With Confidence
🧳 AllClear Travel Insurance
Travel insurance designed for Australians, including cover options for many pre-existing medical conditions.
Smart Travel Gear
🎒 BAGSMART Australia
Organised luggage, travel bags and practical accessories suited to road trips, rail journeys and short coastal getaways.
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First published 2015. Updated 10 May 2026.