Koopa on the Brisbane River

1919
Koopa on the Brisbane River

In 1919, as well as plying the Brisbane to Bribie trips for excursionists and holiday-makers the Koopa also carried newly-arrived passengers from the Quarantine Station at Lytton to the city wharf in Brisbane.

Two particular trips were captured by the local press - in February returning soldiers who had arrived at Lytton on the ship Nestor and - in March returning soldiers with their brides and babies "back to Queensland" to settle down after the upheaval of war and a pandemic.

Source: The Western Champion (Barcaldine) Sat 15 Feb 1919 p. 9

Scene on arrival of Koopa in Brisbane on Saturday, with a large number
 of returned soldiers, many of whom brought brides and babies.
Source: The Daily Mail (Brisbane) Mon 3 Mar 1919 p.9

REFERENCES

Pneumonic Influenza. The Western Champion and General Advertiser for the Central-Western Districts (Barcaldine) Sat 15 Feb 1919 p. 9 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article76752325

Back to Queensland. A Fervent Re-union. [pictures] Article: Soldiers' wives. Varied Experiences. Batch reaches Brisbane. The Daily Mail (Brisbane) Mon 3 Mar 1919 p. 9 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-page23544865

The Landing of troops. Nearly 1000 men from the Nestor. A Happy Gathering at the Wharf. The Brisbane Courier Sat 15 Feb 1919 p. 5 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article20238510

Excursion to Bribie via Koopa and Doomba

Travelling to Bribie aboard the steamships Koopa and Doomba are memories  held by many people.

Here is a glimpse of some of the advertisements used in the 1930s and earlier to entice excursionists to see the sights of our picturesque bay! 

The 1919 advertisement is particular relevant to the current COVID-19 pandemic.

December 1936

The Telegraph, 7 Dec 1936, p. 20

The Telegraph, 7 Dec 1936, p. 20

The popular and delightful fishing, camping and holiday resorts of Moreton Bay

Adults 4 shillings, return ; Children 1 shilling, return.

Sundays only: Adults 3 shillings return!

"Boxing Day, New Year's Day and Sunday's time-table allows four hours ashore for surfing, fishing, etc at Bribie. Refreshments obtainable on board steamers."

Accompanying this advertisement is an article entitled "Enchanted Isle"

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July 1930

The Brisbane Courier, 22 Jul 1930, p. 2

Bay trip on the Koopa on Sunday to Bribie

Return fares 3 shillings, children 1 shilling

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January 1924

The Doomba carried her happy cargoes to the cooling breezes at Redcliffe and Bribie.
Photo: W.G. Cummings
The Daily Mail (Brisbane) Sat 19 Jan 1924 p. 13

December 1924

The Brisbane Courier, 6 Dec 1924, p. 3

The Brisbane Courier, 6 Dec 1924, p. 3

Special Sunday afternoon excursion!

Return fares 3 shillings, children half price

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March 1919

Koopa Trips to Redcliffe and Bribie

In our advertising columns appear a few statements on the "flu" question as regards bay excursions. 
Pure sea air no doubt goes a long way to keeping one healthy, and the opportunity to partake of it, the Brisbane Tug Co. Points out, is within the reach of all.

source: The Brisbane Courier Wed 5 Mar 1919 p. 3

The Koopa and the Flu
source: The Brisbane Courier Wed 5 Mar 1919 p. 2

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January 1915

The Telegraph, 16 Jan 1915, p. 3

School Children's Excursions with special fares!

School children - sixpence each return. 

Adults - 2 shillings, sixpence return.

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Source:
The National Library of Australia's online newspaper resource Trove is indeed a wonderful treasure-trove. https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/?q=