Coochiemudlo Island on Moreton Bay Queensland- History of the first settlers
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Coochiemudlo, a variant of Kutchi Mudlo, meaning place of red rock, is one of several places in the Redlands, Queensland, that has retained its indigenous name. As the name suggests, the island was a source of ochre, or red rock, used in ceremonies around Moreton Bay. Records indicate indigenous people did not permanently occupy the island, but visits were made for ochre gathering, fishing and collecting food such as the bungwau fern that grew in the wetlands.
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In July 1799 Captain Matthew Flinders landed on Coochiemudlo Island, his sixth island, and described it as having large and luxuriant trees, including abundant mangrove trees, pandanus palms and pine trees, and sand on the south-west and north-east sides. Fauna included cockatoos and parakeets. Nowadays, his Coochiemudlo Island visit is celebrated on Flinders Day every July.
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In the 1860s the island was reserved for the use of the Acclimatisation Society, but the offer was declined.
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The first known white settlers on the island were Henry Wright and his son, Norman 'Boxer' Wright, who lived from 1895 in a permanent campsite under the cotton trees on the south-east corner. Norman later established a boat building business in Bulimba and family members became champion yachtsmen.
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In 1918 Doug Morton established a fruit and dairy farm on the extreme south west corner. He later set up the island's first tourist venture, bringing visitors from Victoria Point to his farm, where he sold refreshments.
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Over the years, more farmers came to the island, while other landowners built weekenders. Many of the current facilities were built by the early residents.
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In the early 1960s many of the farms on the island were subdivided, establishing the current pattern of development.
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NOTE: A walking/cycling track circles the island and links many of the historical sites. It begins to the right of the jetty carpark and is marked by arrows. Allow about two hours to walk the track.
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Island transport
Until the first official ferry service started in 1959, islanders had to rely on their own boats to reach the island. Various jetties were built by the residents, but most were rough and ready structures that have long since disappeared. The current jetty was originally built in 1971 and has been modified over the years. Today, ferries travel between Victoria Point and Coochiemudlo Island on the hour and half-hour, and there is a regular vehicular barge.
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Hauling log from Coochie late 1940's. Courtesy Ron Flowers and RCC
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Pioneer Park
This park is next to the jetty carpark and contains a time capsule, seats dedicated to early residents and a tiled area with the names of past and current islanders. It also has the original Anzac flagpole. A new flagpole has been erected further along the track to accommodate the growing number of people attending the ceremonies.
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Scar trees
These trees are on the landward side of the track. Indigenous people used the bark of trees to build various items, including canoes, and for carrying tools.
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Norfolk Beach
This beach is named after Matthew Flinders' ship Norfolk, in which he entered Moreton Bay in 1799. Flinders landed on Coochiemudlo Island and each July Flinders Day is celebrated at Norfolk Beach. The first sign commemorating the event was a modest engraved plaque erected in 1977. A more elaborate sign marks the 1999 bicentenary of Flinders' visit.
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Melaleuca wetlands
This RAMSAR-Iisted wetlands acts as a flora and fauna refuge. Evidence of middens has been found along the shoreline. At the end of the wetlands walk, a small plaque commemorates another early island resident, Ray Petersen.
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Morwong Beach
As well as being a location for films and commercials, Morwong Beach also has a number of sites of indigenous significance. At the western end there are scar trees and a midden, indicating that this beach has been a favourite gathering place for thousands of years . It used to be known as Baby Beach but was given the name Morwong Beach (after the Morwong fish) as a marketing ploy. The name has remained.
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Track and observation lookout
This track leads to a lookout that offers panoramic views over Moreton Bay to Peel Island and North Stradbroke Island. On a clear day Moreton Island is also visible to the north. The town of Dunwich and its sand loading facilities on North Stradbroke Island can be seen to the right of Peel Island. Users should note there is one steep track section .
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Morton's steps and jetty
These steps lead down to the remains of a modest jetty built from island timber and rock. The steps and jetty were built by Doug Morton to transport produce from his island farm. He also erected a jetty for the same purpose on Victoria Point in the early 1930s. Doug Morton lived on the island from 1918 and built many structures himself for his farm and his various tourist ventures. The Mortons left the Island in 1968, reportedly because it was becoming too crowded.The island's population was 18!
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Flinders Lookout
It is believed that Flinders stood at this spot to inspect what lay ahead further down Moreton Bay. This is also the site of other structures built by Doug Morton in the early 1940s, including a jetty and steps for tourists from Brisbane, whom he encouraged to visit the island. He also built a ramp for a horse-drawn trolley from the jetty. Visitors were taken to his farm, where they were treated to fresh fruit salad and cream and Devonshire teas. The visitors could also buy fresh fruit and vegetables from the farm. Coochiemudlo Island and Morton's farm became a very popular tourist spot until the government requisitioned his boat for war purposes and the day trips had to stop. The jetty, although deteriorated, remained an island landmark until it was demolished in 1984. A swimming enclosure was also erected just east of the jetty and the remains of both can still be seen at low tide .
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Coochiemudlo Island Community Hall
This hall has been the venue of most of the island's events since it opened in 1973. Because of its popularity, an extension was added in 1991. Before the hall was built, community events such as bingo and other social occasions were held at Pullen Hall in Mooroondu Street. It was named Elliott Hall after Island residents and founding members of the Progress Association, Gerald and Claire Elliott. The hall is also the home of the island's Historical Society (see introduction for contact details). The hall is in the Doug and Mary Morton Reserve. Next to it is the first tee of the Isle of Coochie golf course. From here, golfers walk down to the rest of the course via the Australia Remembers memorial steps built in 1995 to mark the 50th anniversary of the end of World War II. Near the steps is an offspring of the pine tree from Lone Pine Ridge at Gallipoli in Turkey. Seeds of the original tree on the ridge were sent back to Australia and were planted in various sites around Australia .
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Golf course
The 42 and 43 Australian Landing Craft Companies of the Royal Australian Engineers' Water Transport Division were stationed on Coochie during World War II to train in moving personnel around New Guinea. The 43 was based at the golf course near the 9th hole and the 42 was just west of the boat ramp on Main Beach. The cement remains of some of their structures can still be found at both locations.
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