During World War II, low profile, defensive positions were established along many roads throughout Australia. The Tank Traps at Paddy’s Flat on the Clarence River were part of the second line of defence against the feared Japanese invasion of northern Australia – thwarted by the US Navy’s victory against the Japanese Imperial Navy at the Battle of Midway 1942.

At the time as many as 10,000 troops were camped in the Tenterfield region.

There are 26 concrete pyramids that were cast onsite and then connected together by a steel cable in the river. Timber posts were also buried in the ground on the bank on either side of the river. After the war was over, they were dragged up on the bank on the southern side of the river. A flood in 2011 exposed all the concrete pyramids to some degree

To get to Paddy’s Flat, turn off the Bruxner Highway three kilometres west of Tabulam (or 12.5 kilometres east of Drake), onto Paddy’s Flat Road. Follow the road for 28km and the Tank Traps are on the right, just before Paddy’s Flat Bridge crosses the Clarence River. You can continue along Paddy’s Flat Road to Urbenville to enjoy a beautiful scenic drive.