Magnetic Island Explained

Magnetic Island
(Yunbenun)
Location:Coral Sea
Area Km2:52
Highest Mount:Mount Cook
Elevation M:497
Country:Australia
Population:2,475
Population As Of:2021
Density Km2:40

Magnetic Island (Wulguru: Yunbenun) is an island 8km (05miles) offshore from the city of Townsville, Queensland, Australia. This 52km2 mountainous island in Cleveland Bay has effectively become a suburb of Townsville. The island is accessible from Townsville Breakwater to Nelly Bay Harbour by ferry. There is a large 39.5km²[1] National Park and bird sanctuary and walking tracks can be taken between the populated bays and to a number of tourist destinations such as the World War II forts.

The island is a holiday destination with many hotels and several resorts in operation to cater for all levels of service. The public facilities and infrastructure on the island are managed by the Townsville City Council. The island is part of the electoral district of Townsville in the Legislative Assembly of Queensland, and part of the Federal seat of Herbert, which is represented by Phillip Thompson.

There are five settlements, namely Arcadia, Horseshoe Bay, Nelly Bay, Picnic Bay, and West Point. Geographic features include Rocky Bay, Picnic Bay and Hawkings Point, around its southern extremity, a bay, Nelly Bay to the east-north-east of Rocky Bay, followed by Geoffrey Bay, with Bremner Point as its northern arm. Horseshoe Bay is on the northern coast, and Cockle Bay Reef off the western coast.

In the, Magnetic Island had a population of 2,475 people.

Naming

The Wulguru name for the island is Yunbenun. The first European accounts of the island come from Captain James Cook who, in 1770, while navigating the Australian coast, called the island Magnetical Island, as a magnetic pull interfering with his vessel's compass appeared to emanate from the island. People have since explored the general area of Magnetic Island with various instruments to discover what might have caused the effect that Cook reported, but nothing has been discovered. Local names for the island are "Maggie Isle",[2] "Maggie Island",[3] or "The Island".

History

Pre-European settlement

Yunbenun is the traditional land of the Wulgurukaba people.[4] It had a transient population of Aboriginal people well before European exploration of the area. They had seasonal camps at a number of bays, and travelled between the island and mainland using canoes. A number of Aboriginal burial sites are said to exist on the island, but have so far not been identified. Aboriginal middens and cave drawings can still be found in a number of bays around Yunbenun. Folklore of the local Wulguru tribe recounts a long association with the island and annual migrations to the mainland to avoid expeditions of head-hunters from Papua New Guinea and the Torres Strait, which used the northern trade winds to travel south along the Queensland coast. This head-hunting nearly ceased following the arrival of missionaries, led by Samuel MacFarlane to the Torres Straits in 1871.[5]

European settlement and development

J.M. Black, funded by Robert Towns, founded the township of Townsville on the mainland nearby. As Townsville developed through the mid-19th century, Magnetic Island became a valuable location for the gathering of hoop pine and granite, the latter of which was used in the reclamation of land for the Port of Townsville, and for construction of Townsville's Customs House.

Picnic Bay was named after its popularity as a picnic spot for European tourists from the mainland during the 19th century, before Magnetic Island was first inhabited by Europeans. In the mid-19th century the island became a popular location for the collection of stone and coral needed for development on the mainland. Even substantial quantities of gold were mined in 1886.[6]

In 1875, the island was set aside as a quarantine station although it took another ten years for the proper facilities to be set up at West Point. In November 1884 the Queensland Government accepted a tender from Leisner and Sparre to construct the quarantine station for £3645.[7] It was only after the tender was accepted that the site on West Point on the north-west was actually chosen.[8]

In 1896 Cyclone Sigma tore across the island and through Townsville.[9] At least 23 people died, many buildings destroyed and boats wrecked.[10] [11] [12] The ketch Lalla Rookh was torn off its moorings and found later on Magnetic Island.[13] (She was able to be recovered and continued to carry loads of timber up and down the coast, until being wrecked off the Queensland coast in 1899.[14] [15] [16])

By 1890 a resort had been started in Picnic Bay. In 1898 Robert Hayles Sr was so impressed by the potential of Magnetic Island he sold his other interests to build a resort on the island. Hayles was responsible for much of the development of Magnetic Island through tourism. In 1901 he started a regular ferry service to the island with his ship the Bee. Twelve months later this ship was wrecked on the rocks at Nobby Head, Picnic Bay, and the Phoenix was built by Hayles' sons to replace the vessel. The Hayles company remained operating services to Magnetic Island with a large number of different vessels until 1988.

World War II

Magnetic Island became an important defensive position during World War II because of its proximity to Townsville, an important military base, and its views over Cleveland Bay, a significant anchorage and assembly point for large fleets and convoys operating in the south Pacific. As such, the Magnetic Battery, (AKA The Forts) an artillery battery and observation post, was built in the hinterland of Florence, Horseshoe and Arthur Bays. Picnic Bay also became a popular defence force rest and relaxation camp following the commandeering of a resort in the bay in 1939.

Post-war era

The island slowly expanded following the end of the Second World War. In 1953, Centaur House, a memorial convalescent and rest hostel for nurses, was officially opened in Geoffrey Bay.

In late December 1971 Cyclone Althea hit the North Queensland coast directly crossing Magnetic Island. The island, along with much of the mainland, was devastated with 90% of the island's houses damaged or destroyed, some simply lifted off their foundations and tossed into trees. The island, along with the mainland, soon recovered.

In July 2012, a six hectare (15 acre) section of the island was granted to the Wulgurukaba Yunbenun Aboriginal Corporation under freehold title and a further 55 hectare (135 acre) section under a Deed of Grant in Trust.[17]

21st century

In 2009, as part of the Q150 celebrations, the Magnetic Island was announced as one of the Q150 Icons of Queensland for its role as a "Natural attraction".[18]

Demographics

In the, Magnetic Island had a population of 2,107 people.

In the, Magnetic Island had a population of 2,199.

In the, Magnetic Island had a population of 2,335 people.

In the, Magnetic Island had a population of 2,475 people.

Geography

Geographic features include Rocky Bay, Picnic Bay and Hawkings Point (around the settlement named Picnic Bay) around its southern point,[19] a bay and settlement called Nelly Bay to the east-north-east, Horseshoe Bay on its northern coast, and Cockle Bay Reef off the western coast.[20] [21]

Natural heritage and attractions

The island is a haven for wildlife. 76% of the island is Magnetic Island National Park,[1] which is mostly located on the steep hilly interior and rugged north-western side. The highest point on the island is Mount Cook reaching 497m (1,631feet) above sea level.[22] A citizen science project at Magnetic has over 3500 observations of 1126 species with the most observed species the Koala and the most observed marine species the Goldstripe butterflyfish [23]

Magnetic Island is famous for its fishing opportunities. Fish around the island include: mackerel, giant trevally, queenfish, coral trout, blackspot tuskfish, tuna, fingermark, red emperor and sea perch.

As of 2013, there are over 800 koalas estimated to be present on the island; this population represents the northern limit of their geographic range.[24]

The areas of the island that are not covered by the conservation area are open for development subject to local authority approval. As of 2018 the island was undergoing an economic boom.

The wreckage of SS City of Adelaide is located off the shore of Cockle Bay, the island and is a popular tourist attraction.[25]

Settlements

The five villages of the island, which contain the lion's share of the population of 2017 (as of the census of population)

Place Area (km2) Population Density
9.7 484 49.9
5.2 257 49.4
5.2 973 187.1
2.8 359 128.2
28.4 35 1.2
Magnetic Island51.3 2107 41.1

Heritage listings

Magnetic Island has a number of heritage-listed sites, including:

Education

There is a primary school at Nelly Bay. The nearest secondary school is Townsville State High School in Railway Estate in the Townsville mainland.

Community groups

The Magnetic Garbutt branch of the Queensland Country Women's Association meets at the CWA Hall at 42 Lancaster Street, Garbutt.[28]

Other groups include:

Annual events

Annual events include:[43]

To find out more visit whatsonmagneticisland.com.au

Notable residents

See also

External links

-19.1333°N 196°W

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Queensland. Department of Environment, Science and Innovation. Magnetic Island National Park - facts and maps. 2013. 2021-01-28. wetlandinfo.des.qld.gov.au. en-AU. 1 February 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210201163251/https://wetlandinfo.des.qld.gov.au/wetlands/facts-maps/national-park-magnetic-island/. live.
  2. Book: Hughes, Holly . Murphy, Sylvie . Flippin . Alexis Lipsitz . Duchaine, Julie . Frommer's 500 Extraordinary Islands . 2010 . John Wiley & Sons . 978-0-470-59518-3 . 357 . 31 October 2016 . https://web.archive.org/web/20131105010124/http://books.google.com/books?id=ajhU1AAacUsC&pg=PA357 . 5 November 2013 . live .
  3. Web site: Queensland Islands – The top 5 QLD island holiday locations. LeisureCom Group Ltd T/A Discover Queensland. 30 September 2013. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20130623001623/http://blog.discoverqueensland.com.au/queensland-islands-the-top-5-qld-island-holiday-locations/. 23 June 2013.
  4. News: Fernbach . Nathalie . The history of Yunbenun - ABC - Australian Broadcasting Corporation . 13 January 2022 . www.abc.net.au . 13 January 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220113100119/https://www.abc.net.au/local/stories/2010/09/28/3024186.htm . live .
  5. Book: Barnes, Tom . Peaceful Isle - Story of Magnetic Island from 1960s . 1997 . Magnetic Island, Queensland, Australia .
  6. Web site: Queensland. Department of Science, Environment and Innovation. 2009-10-19. Nature, culture and history Magnetic Island National Park. 2021-01-28. Parks and forests Department of Environment and Science, Queensland. en-AU. 2 February 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210202225400/https://parks.des.qld.gov.au/parks/magnetic-island/about/culture. live.
  7. News: OFFICIAL NOTIFICATIONS.. 15 November 1884. The Brisbane Courier. 10 October 2017. 8,378. Queensland, Australia. XXXIX. 6. National Library of Australia. 18 January 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230118021845/https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/3436152. live.
  8. News: QUEENSLAND NEWS.. 19 November 1884. The Brisbane Courier. 10 October 2017. 8,381. Queensland, Australia. XXXIX. 5. National Library of Australia. 18 January 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230118021858/https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/3436271. live.
  9. Web site: Case Study: Cyclone Sigma, 1896 . Jeff . Callaghan . 22 September 2011 . . 24 January 2021 . 16 June 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200616105200/http://hardenup.org/umbraco/customContent/media/641_Townsville_Cyclone_Sigma_1896.pdf . live .
  10. Web site: CBoM – History of Townsville Meteorological Office. https://web.archive.org/web/20110320214418/http://www.bom.gov.au/qld/townsville/history.shtml. 20 March 2011. Australian Government. Bureau of Meteorolgy.
  11. News: Lives lost during cyclone Sigma on Australia Day in 1896. 30 January 2015. Townsville Bulletin. 24 January 2021. 7 October 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20181007204615/https://www.townsvillebulletin.com.au/lifestyle/townsville-150/lives-lost-during-cyclone-sigma-on-australia-day-in-1896/news-story/3533591a948c9055f87b1a250349dda5. live.
  12. Web site: Harden up: Protecting Queensland. Green Cross Australia. Cyclone Sigma. 24 January 2021. 31 January 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210131092310/http://hardenup.org/be-aware/weather-events/events/1890-1899/cyclone-sigma-1896-01-26.aspx. live.
  13. Book: Heuschele, Margaret. In the Shadow of Castle Hill. 2001. Townsville Library Service. 1-875830-41-3. 33. 24 January 2021. 7 April 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210407235526/https://www.townsville.qld.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0023/5378/In-the-Shadow-of-Castle-Hill.pdf. live.
  14. Web site: Inskip Point Light & Signal Station . Indicator Loop Stations . 8 May 2012 . 23 January 2021 . 28 January 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210128093125/http://indicatorloops.com/inskip.htm . live .
  15. Web site: Queensland shipwrecks, including central and southern Great Barrier Reef.. Encyclopaedia of Australian Shipwrecks: Queensland. 24 January 2021. 24 February 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210224023331/http://oceans1.customer.netspace.net.au/qld-wrecks.html. live.
  16. News: Shipping items. . . LVI . 13,112 . Queensland, Australia . 20 January 1900 . 25 January 2021 . 5 . National Library of Australia . 18 January 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230118021847/https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/19032252 . live .
  17. News: Native title rights granted for slice of Magnetic Island . 7 July 2012 . 7 July 2012 . Brisbane Times . Fairfax Media . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20170105132407/http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/queensland/native-title-rights-granted-for-slice-of-magnetic-island-20120706-21m6z.html . 5 January 2017 .
  18. Web site: Premier Unveils Queensland's 150 Icons. Bligh. Anna. Anna Bligh. 10 June 2009. Queensland Government. https://web.archive.org/web/20170524033717/http://statements.qld.gov.au/statement/id/64301. 24 May 2017. 24 May 2017.
  19. Web site: Rocky Bay . Rocky Bay . 23 January 2021 . 18 January 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230118021846/https://www.google.com.au/maps/place/Rocky+Bay/@-19.1784629,146.8416928,17.08z/data=!4m5!3m4!1s0x697e016c0c661aa5:0xc7395903d9ee1ade!8m2!3d-19.1754482!4d146.8453425?shorturl=1 . live .
  20. Web site: Rocky Bay . Rocky Bay . 23 January 2021 . 18 January 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230118021853/https://www.google.com.au/gen_204?atyp=csi&ei=ClfHY4WVCYPMkPIPxY6cqAU&s=trex&t=all&wh=0&imn=3&ima=0&imad=0&imac=0&aftp=-1&adh=&wif=1&ime=0&imex=0&imeh=3&imea=0&imeb=0&imel=0&scp=0&net=dl.10000,ect.4g,rtt.50&mem=ujhs.48,tjhs.61,jhsl.4295,dm.13&sys=hc.11&rt=aft.436,aftqf.439,prt.436,xjses.884,xjsee.994,xjs.994,dcl.997,ol.2522,lcp.2116,fcp.2116,wsrt.93,cst.7,dnst.0,rqst.224,rspt.144,sslt.7,rqstt.13,unt.3,ppunt.0,cstt.5,dit.534&zx=1674008332717 . live .
  21. Web site: Magnetic Island National Park map. Queensland Government. 23 January 2021. 6 April 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210406155457/https://parks.des.qld.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0023/163328/magnetic-island-map.pdf. live.
  22. Encyclopedia: Magnetic Island . 3 July 2009 . Encyclopædia Britannica . . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20091028043833/http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/357193/Magnetic-Island . 28 October 2009 .
  23. Web site: Citizen science at Magnetic (Yunbenun) Island . 20 April 2022 . 20 April 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220420022623/https://www.inaturalist.org/projects/citizen-science-at-magnetic-yunbenun-island . live .
  24. McGregor, D. C. . Kerr, S. E. . Krockenberger, A. K. . The distribution and abundance of an island population of koalas (Phascolarctos cinereus) in the far north of their geographic range . PLOS ONE. 2013 . 8 . 3 . e59713 . 10.1371/journal.pone.0059713 . 3601071 . 23527258. 2013PLoSO...859713M . free .
  25. Web site: Shipwreck Trail. sara. Shaw. whatsonmagneticisland.com.au. 17 April 2018. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20180312204440/http://whatsonmagneticisland.com.au/shipwreck-trail. 12 March 2018.
  26. 16 July 2013.
  27. 16 July 2013.
  28. Web site: Branch Locations. Queensland Country Women's Association. https://web.archive.org/web/20181226010724/http://www.qcwa.org.au/branch-locations/. 26 December 2018. 26 December 2018. dead.
  29. Web site: Magnetic Island Community Development Assoc . 2024-04-21 . micda.com.au . en . 20 June 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230620190454/https://www.micda.com.au/ . live .
  30. Web site: Home . 2024-04-21 . Magnetic Island Nature Care Association . en . 20 June 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230620190454/http://www.minca.org/ . live .
  31. Web site: Magnetic Island Fauna Care Organisation . 2024-04-21 . Magnetic Island Fauna Care Organisation . en . 20 June 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230620190453/https://mifco.org/ . live .
  32. Web site: How to see baby turtles in Townsville North Queensland. 10 February 2022. 2024-07-26 . Townsville North Queensland.
  33. Web site: Magnetic Island Resident & Rate Payers Association. whatsonmagneticisland.com.au. 26 July 2024.
  34. Web site: Magnetic Island Community Care Community Care Horseshoe Bay, QLD . 2024-04-21 . www.micare.org.au . 5 June 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230605085859/https://www.micare.org.au/ . live .
  35. Web site: MI History & Craft Centre & Magnetic Museum. whatsonmagneticisland.com.au. 26 July 2024.
  36. Web site: Returned Services League of Australia – Magnetic Island . 2024-04-21 . en-AU . 20 June 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230620190455/https://rslmagneticisland.com/ . live .
  37. Web site: Magnetic Island Rotary Club . 2024-07-26 . My Rotary . en.
  38. Web site: Magnetic Island Bowls Club Barefoot Bowls Magnetic Island Functions . 2024-04-21 . Barefoot Bowls Australia . en-AU . 20 June 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230620190457/https://www.barefootbowls.com.au/club/magnetic-island-bowls-club/ . live .
  39. Web site: Home . 2024-04-21 . Magnetic Island Golf . en . 20 June 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230620190453/https://www.magneticislandgolf.com.au/ . live .
  40. Web site: Magnetic Island Mens Shed Inc. Australian Men's Shed Association. 26 July 2024.
  41. Web site: Tourism Magnetic Island. whatsonmagneticisland.com.au. 26 July 2024.
  42. Web site: U3A Magnetic Island. whatsonmagneticisland.com.au. 26 July 2024.
  43. Web site: What's On Magnetic Island. sara. Shaw. whatsonmagneticisland.com.au. 17 April 2018. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20180312202604/http://whatsonmagneticisland.com.au/annual-magnetic-island-events. 12 March 2018.
  44. News: Wikileaks founder Julian Assange a born and bred Queenslander. 29 July 2010. The Courier-Mail. 10 October 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20171224002613/http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/queensland/wikileaks-founder-julian-assange-a-born-and-bred-queenslander/news-story/79b09c0f921e077bc4473af5c5482989. 24 December 2017. live.

This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article "Magnetic Island".

Except where otherwise indicated, Everything.Explained.Today is © Copyright 2009-2024, A B Cryer, All Rights Reserved. Cookie policy.