The property is owned by Australian Christadelphian Bible School, Disability Life Enrichment, Don Geddes Nursing Home and Lake Macquarie City Council.

[1] The Rathmines site on the shores of Lake Macquarie was identified as a possible place for a flying boat base in 1936, when the Director of Duties, RAAF HQ Victoria Barracks, Melbourne, gave instructions to investigate and recommend a site for a flying boat base in the Newcastle region.

The base became operational when the No 9 Squadron transferred from RAAF Point Cook, Victoria, to Rathmines, with Seagull flying boats.

During training, many personnel brought their families to live in the towns and villages near the Rathmines Base[2] which influenced the establishment of other services such a school and post office.

[1] Rathmines was an important base for the Catalina flying boats and their squadrons, which played a significant role in Australia's RAAF defensive operations during the Second World War.

The RAAF operated 168 between 1941 and 1950, flown by four front line squadrons, two communications units and three air-sea rescue flights during the war.

[1] Catalina operations included reconnaissance bombing, mine laying, supplying troops, coast watches and air-sea rescue missions.

The Catalina flying boat was one of the durable and effective aircraft of the war, due to their range, endurance and good load carrying capacity.

[2][1] Catalinas and air crews from Rathmines were involved in the defence of Australia in war events such as the Battle of the Coral Sea.

Reports transmitted from the aircraft allowed American and Australian navies to intercept the Japanese force, resulting in the Battle of the Coral Sea.

The design and construction of the base at the beginning of the Second War resulted in a geometric layout of structures over the site which reflect its use for military purposes.

[1] The Rathmines RAAF seaplane base played a pivotal role in the defence of Australia in World War II.

The Catalina was one of the most successful flying boats produced and its qualities made the aircraft important in the defense of Australia during WWII.

The Base's flying boats were involved with the mining of Manilla Harbour, and played an important part in the Battle of the Coral Sea.

[1] It had a dramatic impact on the housing and road development within the area[5][1] Rathmines Park, former RAAF Seaplane Base was listed on the New South Wales State Heritage Register on 25 November 2005 having satisfied the following criteria.

[1] Lake Boga Flying Boat Base This Wikipedia article contains material from Rathmines Park, former RAAF Seaplane Base, entry number 01740 in the New South Wales State Heritage Register published by the State of New South Wales (Department of Planning and Environment) 2018 under CC-BY 4.0 licence, accessed on 2 June 2018.