1925 Seaside Resorts Guide

During the 1920s a popular way to visit Bribie Island was to travel there and back by the steamships Koopa or Doomba. A variation to this route, was to travel from Brisbane to Landsborough (51 miles) by a morning train, to be met by a seventeen-seater char-a-banc for conveyance to Caloundra. Next day a motor-boat trip from Caloundra to Bongaree through the Pumicestone Passage, would meet up with a steamship for the voyage back to Brisbane.

For several years, the launch 'Calbri' was operated by Andrew Tripcony (1864-1945) and conveyed excursionists through the Pumicestone Passage, as described in the following advertisements.

1925 SEASIDE RESORTS

Bribie Island 

TRAVELLING FROM BONGAREE TO CALOUNDRA THROUGH PUMICE STONE CHANNEL

Through the pioneer enterprising efforts of a Caloundra company, the launch Calibri was built and a regular motor boat service from Bribie to Caloundra through the scenic Pumice Stone Channel inaugurated. This motor boat is built on the tunnel stern principle, has a length of 36ft, beam 9ft, and only draws 8 inches of water. By this means Caloundra can be reached by a through smooth trip from Brisbane. 

The glimpses of scenery obtained during the passage through the winding channel are such that must be seen to be appreciated. 

Leaving Bribie, Toorbul Point, on the mainland, is passed; thence the old fısh-canning works. Presently an old iron hulk is viewed; then are seen what appear like fenced selections on the sea, which are really licensed oyster banks protected by this means against the enemies of the shellfısh.

Looking further northward one perceives the green-carpeted sward of the banks on which hundreds of aquatic birds, from the large pelican to small snipe, are peacefully feeding, whilst further away great flocks of black swans are gracefully swimming.

Ever and always about us are the towering peaks of the Glass House Mountains, their grey trachyte sides viewed fırst from the south-east, thence due east, and again from the north-east. By proceeding from the metropolis to Caloundra via Bribie and returning via Landsborough by rail to Brisbane, or vice versa, a splendid round trip is afforded tourists.

Scene on the
Landsborough-Caloundra Road

Good accommodation is obtainable at the hotel and boarding establishments and during the summer months it is advisable to address the proprietors some time in advance regarding the arrangements for quarters.

Means of Access

(1) Caloundra can be reached by rail to Landsborough; thence motor-car (15 miles), which connects with the North Coast morning train from Brisbane on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays. At other times it is necessary to arrange with the hotel proprietor or boarding-house keepers to meet you at Landsborough. For such trips special rates are charged.

(2) Caloundra may also be reached by taking the motor launch Calibri from Bribie after the arrival of the steamship Koopa on Thursdays, and Sundays and at other special occasions during the summer months. Arrangements for this trip may also be made with Mr A.B. Tripcony, of Caloundra.

Fares.

Railway - Ordinary single: First, 9s 1d; second, 6s.

Friday till Monday excursion: First, 13s 11d; second 9s 3d.

Saturday-Sunday excursion: First, 10s 6d; second, 7s.

Motor-car from Landsborough: Single, 7s 6d; return, 15s. Special trips at special rates.

Motor launch from Bribie. Fares: Brisbane to Caloundra and Return, 30s: single. Brisbane to or from Caloundra, 12s 6d; Bribie to or from Caloundra and Return, 16s; single, Bribie to or from Caloundra, 10s. Children half fare.

Bribie Island, or Bribie, as it is more conveniently called, is reached by continuing the steamer trip in the Koopa or Doomba past Redcliffe to its furthest limits. It is 38 miles from Brisbane, and is reached after a three hours run from the city, the steamers berthing at a short, well-constructed jetty. 

Bribie Island and Moreton Island, which lies opposite at a considerable distance, form the most northern outposts of Moreton Bay. 

Bribie Island is about 20 miles long, from 2 to 3 miles broad, and is well timbered.

REFERENCES

Andrew Buchanan Tripcony (13.4.1864-12.4.1945)
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/154371052/andrew-buchanan-tripcony

See Queensland First. Glories of the North Coast. ... Landsborough. Caloundra.
Daily Standard (Brisbane) 1.4.1920 . p.8 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article180956245

Mountain And Seaside Resorts From Noosa To Tweed by Queensland Government Intelligence and Tourist Bureau, 1925, pages 67-70; 97-99. https://archive.org/details/MountainAndSeasideResortsFromNoosaToTweed/page/n95/mode/2up?q=bribie

1925 Bribie Island The Rising Resort

The following advertorial appeared in the 1925 brochure entitled Mountain and Seaside Resorts from Noosa to Tweed which was compiled and issued by the state Tourist Bureau. 

Bribie Island The Rising Resort

December 1925

Bribie Island, or Bribie, as it is more conveniently called, is reached by continuing the steamer trip in the s.s. Koopa or Doomba past Redcliffe to its furthest limits. It is 38 miles from Brisbane, and is reached after a three hours run from the city, the steamers berthing at a short, well-constructed jetty. Bribie Island and Moreton Island, which lies opposite at a considerable distance, form the most northern outposts of Moreton Bay. Bribie Island is about 20 miles long, from 2 to 3 miles broad, and is well timbered.  

Near the jetty there is a commodious refreshment-room, where fish and oyster dinners are obtainable, and also stores at which campers can purchase requisites. A large pavilion, bathing-sheds, and other conveniences for the use of visitors have been erected. Accommodation is provided for by a number of boarding-houses, and, as a further inducement, the steamship company has erected twelve huts of a standard design and size (14 feet by 12 feet) along the inner beach. 

On application to the caretaker, Bribie, these may be let at the following rates:- Ordinary weekly tariff, 6s.; Christmas, New Year, and Easter, 10s. per week; week-ends, 3s. 6d. 

For the excellence of its fish and oysters, Bribie is known far and wide, and during the summer months the company run their steamer to Bribie every alternative Saturday to afford city folk and anglers an opportunity of a week-end at this resort. 

The Amateur Fishermen's Association has erected a fine cottage for the convenience of members. It is situated about half a mile from the jetty. 

Bribie has made rapid and substantial progress during the past two years. An excellent road has been constructed from the jetty across the island to the Ocean Beach, where a handsome and commodious kiosk has been erected by the Brisbane Tug and Steamship Company for the convenience of visitors. 
The main ocean beach is ideal for surfing, and excellent fishing may be enjoyed nearly all the year round. This beautiful hard sandy beach stretches for miles along the eastern side of the island. Motor 'buses meet all steamers and convey passengers to the ocean beach.

 There is a Government experimental station a short distance from the jetty. Visitors will receive much assistance and useful information from Mr. Bob Davies, at his store near the jetty.

Travelling from Bongaree to Caloundra through Pumice Stone Channel

December 1925

Caloundra can be reached by a through smooth trip from Brisbane. The glimpses of scenery obtained during the passage through the winding channel are such that must be seen to be appreciated. Leaving Bribie, Toorbul Point, on the mainland, is passed; thence the old fish-canning works. Presently an old iron hulk is viewed; then are seen what appear like fenced selections on the sea, which are really licensed oyster banks protected by this means against the enemies of the shellfish.

Looking further northward one perceives the green-carpeted sward of the banks on which hundreds of aquatic birds, from the large pelican to small snipe, are peacefully feeding, whilst further away great flocks of black swans are gracefully swimming.

Ever and always about us are the towering peaks of the Glass House Mountains, their grey trachyte sides viewed first from the south-east, thence due east, and again from the north-east. By proceeding from the metropolis to Caloundra Via Bribie, and returning via Landsborough by rail to Brisbane, or Vice versa, a splendid round trip is afforded tourists.

REFERENCE:
Mountain and seaside resorts from Noosa to Tweed. (1925) Compiled and issued by The Queensland Government Intelligence and Tourist Bureau, 10 December 1925. Bribie Island the rising resort [text and photos] pages 94-94. Travelling from Bongaree to Caloundra through Pumicestone Channel [text and photos] pages 67-70. Viewed on the Internet Archive https://archive.org/