Tanks Arts Centre

The Tanks Arts Centre, located at Collins Avenue Edge Hill in Cairns, Queensland, Australia, is a heritage-listed former fuel depot from World War II. Built in 1943, it was added to the Queensland Heritage Register on 2 February 2007. The building now serves as a multi-use contemporary arts facility for the visual and performing arts.

Original Purpose of the Tanks Arts Centre

The Tanks Arts Centre was originally built as the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) Fuel Installation at Edge Hill in 1943. This was in response to the increased military presence during World War II. The installation included five large fuel storage tanks, earth and concrete bunds around the tanks, auxiliary buildings, and an underground pipeline from the tanks to Cairns wharves.

Integration with Flecker Botanical Gardens

Most of the structures of the former fuel installation have been incorporated into the Flecker Botanical Gardens, a recreational area located at the southern foothills of the Mount Whitfield range. Tanks 3-5 have been adaptively re-used and now form part of the Tanks Arts Centre, serving as a space for performances and exhibitions.