Units of the Australian 6th and 7th Divisions began arriving on the Tableland in January 1943 and started occupying tent encampments around the settlements of Wongabel, Wondecla and Ravenshoe. Units of the 9th Division returned to Australia from North Africa during February and by April had begun reforming at camps around Kairi, Danbulla and Barrine.

Ravenshoe military camp was home to infantry battalions and support units of the 7th Division in 1943 and the 9th Division in 1944. Individual encampments were built to hold about 1000 men each and comprised mostly tent accommodation with concrete slabs for latrines and ablution blocks. Concrete grease traps and drains were installed at open-air kitchens. Tent messes for officers and troops had raised timber floors and locally built stone fireplaces for winter warmth. Networks of rock-lined paths linked various tent sites and locally crushed granite was used for paths and tent floors to reduce mud. Motor transport units had extra facilities such as roads and parking areas as well as ramps and pits for maintaining vehicles.