North Stradbroke History

  • James Cook charted the moreton Bay Islands

  • Period: to

    Stradbroke History

  • Matthew Flinders found Minjerribah

  • Pamphlett, Finnegan and Parsons were shipwrecked on Moreton Island and spent eight months exploring around Moreton Bay

  • Minjerribah was renamed Stradbroke Island by Governor Darling in reverence of the Honourable Captain J.H. Rous, son of the Earl of Stradbroke and also Viscount Dunwich

  • One of the first known conflicts erupted in 1828 when a cotton plantation was established at Myora

  • more than ten violent clashes between the Europeans and the Minjerribah people resulting in deaths on both sides.

  • From 1850 onwards fishing became a major industry

  • The quarantine station closed in 1864

  • Dunwich was nominated to accommodate the Benevolent Asylum which was completed in 1867.

  • Prior to 1894 North and South Stradbroke were one and the same island.

  • By 1901 oyster farming was well established on the Island

    The two islands were separated after a barque; the "Cambus Wallace" was shipwrecked in a narrow passage off the island that was carrying explosives that had to be detonated in the passage. It is believed that the recovery of cargo from the Cambus Wallace, the detonations, and a severe storm caused the separation of the island creating North and South Stradbroke as we know it today.
  • 1902 saw the sinking of the “Prosperity” off Point Lookout

    it is believed that a skeleton revealed on the beach in 1956 with a boot still intact on the foot, was the remains of the cook from the “Prosperity”. The discovery of these remains was the origin of the name given to the beach on which they were found – Deadman’s Beach at Point Lookout
  • Bert Clayton bought land above the South Gorge to build a guesthouse

    His first guests were accommodated in tents which he gradually replaced with one room cabins, the next owners of the property renamed it Samarinda.
  • The Point Lookout Lighthouse was constructed in 1932

  • The first vehicular ferry service commenced in 1947

    The first vehicular ferry service commenced in 1947 with the “Amazon” soon renamed the “Karboora”.
  • Sand mining was first established

    Sand mining was first established on the Island in 1949 when Zinc Corp set up their operation
  • Sand mining is still the number one employer on the Island with Consolidated Rutile Ltd, established on the Island in 1963 still in operation today.

  • Stradbroke Ferries began a regular service to the Island in 1964