WWII Shell Detonated on Wurtulla Beach Startles Sunshine Coast Residents

A dog walker and his friend stumbled upon an 11-kilogram unexploded World War II artillery shell at the base of a sand dune on Wurtulla Beach just before midnight on Saturday. The pair called Queensland Police, who secured the site until Australian Defence Force specialists arrived. The shell, a 25-pound high-explosive projectile known as a 25-pounder, was destroyed in a controlled blast at approximately 4 am on Sunday using standard disposal procedures. No injuries were reported.

How the shell was discovered and handled

Sean Mackney and a friend were walking his dog along Wurtulla Beach when his companion spotted the object at the base of a dune. Mackney picked it up, struck by its weight, before realizing what it was. “The sheer weight of it was massive,” he told the ABC. “I didn’t really know what to do … we called the police, and they were down there pretty quickly.” Queensland Police attended and held the site until the Australian Defence Force’s Joint Explosive Ordnance Support South Queensland team arrived to assess and dispose of the device.

The blast woke residents across nearby suburbs

The controlled detonation at 4 am sent shockwaves across Battery Hill and surrounding areas. Resident Rhiannon McPherson was jolted awake by what she described as “a massive bang.” She initially thought it was a severe car accident. “It sounded like something really big had dropped onto cement,” she said. “I was waiting to hear sirens but didn’t hear anything.” Her husband slept through the blast, and her dog did not bark, leaving her uncertain whether she had dreamed it.

The beach’s wartime history explains the discovery

A large area north of Caloundra was set aside as an artillery range at the start of World War II. Australian and Allied forces used it between 1939 and 1944 for artillery, infantry, and armour live firing. Gun positions ran in a line along what later became the Nicklin Way, from Careen Street through to Browning Boulevard. The Defence Force confirmed the projectile was disposed of safely after assessment on the beach.

Why this matters for beachgoers and residents

The discovery highlights the lingering presence of unexploded ordnance from World War II along the Sunshine Coast. Mackney expressed surprise that no one else had noticed the shell and questioned how long it had been exposed. The incident unfolded without warning to local residents, underscoring the risk that such items pose if encountered by the public. The Defence Force’s swift response prevented any injuries or damage.

Final Thoughts

An 11kg WWII shell found on Wurtulla Beach was safely destroyed Sunday morning, though the blast startled residents across nearby suburbs. The discovery underscores the ongoing risk of unexploded ordnance in areas used as firing ranges during World War II. Beachgoers should report any suspicious objects to police immediately.

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