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

Bribie tourism 1940

...

In 1940 a tourist brochure Moreton Bay Queensland was a guide promoting tourism to the Moreton Bay area, encompassing Bribie, Stradbroke and Moreton Islands. This guide contained a map, pictorial content and a description of each location.







MORETON BAY AND ISLANDS. [1940]
Moreton Bay (with an area of 735 square miles) is protected from the Pacific surge by Bribie, Moreton, and Stradbroke Islands. These insular Ardens, together with groups and clusters of smaller isles, form a truly enchanting marine playground. Cruising along the lanes and waterways between the archipelago of islands, fishing off the reefs and headlands and in the deep channels, bathing in pellucid bays or in the thundering surf on the outer beaches, exploring cool green valleys and forested hills of the larger island . . . . . There is an infinite number of pleasures which a vacation among the island of Moreton Bay can offer.

The following excerpts show the Bribie Island content from the brochure.

BRIBIE ISLAND. [1940] 

Long and narrow, this island of 59 square miles extends from Toorbul Point to Caloundra, with the ocean beach on one side, and on the other the tranquil waters of Deception Bay and Pumicestone Passage. 

Access is by means of s.s. "Koopa," which leaves Circular Quay several times weekly on the 78 miles round trip (three hours each way). Visitors may prefer to journey by motor 'bus to Redcliffe and then connect with the steamer. The period on the water is thus reduced to one hours to Bribie each way. 

There is a 'bus service across the island between the township and the settlement on the ocean beach. Splendid fishing is obtainable along Pumicestone passage, which winds its sinuous course for more than 20 miles. Launches may be hired for fishing and boating excursions. Accommodation may be obtained on the ocean beach and at the township of Bongaree.  

Bribie, with its wide range of holiday interests and picturesque setting, is indeed an appealing Bay resort. It was off Toorbul Point that Flinders anchored in 1799. He named Point Skirmish and "Pumice Stone River." Oxley, in 1823, anchored almost in the same place as Flinders, near the present jetty, and found one of four castaway cedar-getters living with the blacks. As a result of information received from Pamphlett and Finnigan, Oxley discovered the Brisbane River.

 
REFERENCE: 
Moreton Bay Queensland: spend a sunshine holiday in Moreton Bay. Brisbane : Queensland Government Tourist Bureau, 1940. Online copies available at:
via Queensland State Library: http://hdl.handle.net/10462/pdf/1100
via Internet Archive: https://archive.org/details/MoretonBayQueensland

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/  

Bribie Island in the sun 1980

Cross the Bridge to Bribie Island: Queensland's island in the sun

brochure circa 1980

BIHS has recently recorded in our historical database, a tourist brochure entitled Cross the Bridge to Bribie Island: Queensland's island in the sun.

The brochure was produced by the Bribie Island Chamber of Commerce in conjunction with Caboolture Shire Council and Queensland Tourist and Travel Corporation around the year 1980.

While some of the scenes depicted in the brochure could have been taken yesterday, other scenes are of attractions from days gone by.

Koolamara Motel 

These scenes are timeless!

Sun, sand and sea!

The Saddlers' Restaurant 

Our Bowls and Golf Clubs are still very popular!

A montage of the Glasshouse Mountains in the background

with the bridge and Pumicestone Passage in the foreground.

Sculpture of Ian Fairweather in a tree trunk

near a replica of his hut.

Acknowledgements

The above brochure was reproduced on this blog with the kind permission of the Bribie Island Chamber of Commerce.

Further reading:

Squatters Restaurant (BIHS Blogspot) with a copy of a 1989 article ... 

http://bribieislandhistory.blogspot.com/2017/06/squatters-homestead.html

.... Squatters Homestead has been a landmark on Bribie for 14 years [in 1989].  It was built by Don Buckley...

If you would like to share your Bribie Island postcards - our email address is bribiehistoricalsociety@gmail.com

Picturesque Bribie about 1952

A Souvenir of Picturesque Bribie Island

circa 1952

BIHS has recently recorded in our historical database, a folder of 12 postcards entitled A Souvenir of Picturesque Bribie Island.

The folder was published by Sydney G. Hughes, 4th Floor, Invicta House, Edward St., Brisbane, in conjunction with Nucolorvue Productions around the year 1952.

Each postcard has a caption which describes the location of the picture as it was around 1952.  So not only can we see familiar island vistas as they were almost 65 years ago - we can also read what they were called at the time!

01 Hotel Bribie, Ocean Beach, Bribie Island

02 Ocean Beach, Bribie Island

03 Lifesavers' Patrol Tower and Clubhouse, Ocean Beach, Bribie Island

04 Ocean Beach Road as seen from the Jetty, Bribie Island

05 View towards the Jetty, from near "Shay Glen", Bribie Island

06 The Barge approaching Bribie Island from Toorbul Point

07 Red Beach, Bribie Island

08 Vacation Centre, Toorbul Street, Bribie Island

09 Looking down on Pumicestone Passage past the Jetties, Bribie Island

10 Bongaree Bowling Club, Bribie Island

11 Glasshouse Mountains as seen from Bribie Island

12 Bribie Bowling Club, Bribie Island

Acknowledgements

Sydney G. Hughes, Brisbane and Nucolorvue Productions.

If you would like to share your Bribie Island postcards - our email address is bribiehistoricalsociety@gmail.com