 In July , MacArthur moved his GHQ north , from Melbourne to Brisbane , where it was located in the AMP Building . The original intention had been to move to Townsville , but this was found to be impractical , as Townsville lacked the communications facilities that GHQ required . The Allied Air Forces and Allied Naval Forces headquarters were co @-@ located with GHQ in the AMP building . The Advanced Headquarters of Allied Land Forces opened at St Lucia , about 12 kilometres ( 7 @.@ 5 mi ) away . The Advanced GHQ subsequently moved to Hollandia in September 1944 , Leyte in October 1944 , and Manila in May 1945 . 
