SSAA Thuringowa Branch

Range Location: Approximately 20km from Townsville on Mount View Rd, Woodstock.

SSAA Thuringowa – a Townsville hidden gem (From The Report – August 2025)

It seems the people of Townsville and its surrounds love their shooting sports, which is evidenced by the fact there are six nearby shooting clubs, two of which are SSAA Queensland Branches, that cater to the nearly 190,000 Townsville residents. 

The Barringha Shooting Complex in Woodstock is one of SSAA Queensland’s state-owned properties and it is home to the SSAA Thuringowa Q68 Branch. The Branch has about 500 active members, with 30-40 juniors, about 130 women and more than 60 qualified Range Officers to keep all shoots safe and compliant. Craig Skinner has been the Branch President for the past five years. Member Paul Evans works at Hall’s Firearms, which is a major sponsor/supporter of SSAA Queensland and the Thuringowa Branch. 

Q68 currently has four ranges that sit on 100 acres of Freehold Land. Adjacent is 100 acres of Leased land. The Branch has future plans to put additional ranges on the Freehold block and conduct works on the leased property. Existing ranges include: 

• Range 1 = 50m range for Practical Pistol/IPSC, Shotgun and Rifle. 
• Range 2 = 50m range catering for rimfire, pistol and, if needed, centrefire shooting.  
• Range 3 = 200m range for rifle shooting and for Rifle Silhouette, Lever Action and sighting in firearms. It can also be used at 100m for .22 shoots. 
• Range 4 = Standard 50m and 100m pistol and rifle range, dedicated to pistol calibres. 
• Around the back of Range 4 is a well-groomed and equipped shotgun range, which is suited for Down the Line and 5 Stand. The Branch is looking at also making it appropriate for Sporting Clays and Field Shotgun shooting in the near future. 

The Branch, which has been a respite for shooters for at least 35 years, attempts to hold one major event per year, with this year’s being the two-day Accurate Target Gear NQ Tropical Clash – a Spectrum Rifle .22 Open Event from July 4-6, sponsored by Accurate Target Gear. In addition to that, regular club shoots take place weekly. One event that is extremely popular is the Young Guns Shoot, which is, as the name suggests, for juniors and newcomers. For this event, the Branch pays for all of the ammunition and, if needed, supplies firearms for juniors free of charge and for adults for a small donation. Juniors can compete in pistol, rifle and shotgun shoots. It draws anywhere up to 20 juniors and their families and is a very social and popular gathering. 

From Townsville, it takes about 40 minutes to get to the range. When close, you are welcomed by beautiful hills in the Bowling Green Bay National Park that form the perfect backdrop to the range. The range is completely off-grid, with solar panels running 12v batteries to run lights for evening shoots and keep the two toilet/shower blocks working. 

The Branch owns a large tractor, pulling a commercial-grade mower, to keep the range looking its best and reduce hiding places for snakes. And the site features an outdoor kitchen and numerous storage containers to house the Branch’s property. There are three camping areas, which can host about 70 shooters and their families. 

Thuringowa opens its firing lines to a number of different groups throughout the year, including Army squads and RSL shooters, juniors and veteran groups. In 2024, it was the site for a Company 6th Battalion Association Reunion Club Shoot, members of which feature in the Australian Vietnam War song ‘I Was Only 19’ by Redgum (2006). Veterans came from as far as the USA and the United Kingdom to take part in the reunion. The event was a huge success, and the battalion presented Q68 with a memorial plaque, which the Branch hopes to feature in a new clubhouse one day. It was a very special and emotional day for all who attended. 

Despite the regular crack of firearms at the range, Thuringowa’s atmosphere, including the beautiful backdrop, lush vegetation and the resident kangaroos who frequently bounce across the range, is relaxing, welcoming and ‘home’ to its passionate members. For more information, email thuringowa@ssaaqld.org.au or phone 0416 203 621.