N.B. Approximate position
Ever wanted to circumnavigate Australia? We still have a way to go...we'll be going on quite a journey, at least virtually, and clockwise. So as to make sure all states and territories are covered, we started in Western Australia and explored a little of the early history of a small part of this massive state via TROVE...from Rottnest Island to Broome..then across to Katherine Gorge, then Tennant Creek, from there to Darwin on the way to the Tiwi Islands, Bathurst and Melville.
We've had to travel back to Darwin, before leaving the Northern Territory, then across to Cairns, in North Queensland... but we didn't stop there, instead headed to the tropical north, to one of the most beautiful areas you can imagine... isolated yes, but perfect for that great getaway... to Cape Tribulation. It seems you loved that area so well, that Cairns was the obvious place to travel to next... not too far south. That was another very popular place...as was our visit to Fraser Island...
We then headed inland, on an approximately 6 hours flight to a place steeped in history.. what a contrast to the sub tropical island of Fraser ...no waterfalls or clear lakes or rainforest, but Longreach has so much to offer.
We then returned to Hervey Bay, by plane, and then took a short drive of approximately 25 minutes to a town founded in 1847... the charming historical town of Maryborough. So many of you loved that place as I do.
What a contrast the next destination was, though it is also very much steeped in history... a beautiful place, but it was a place of horror, of deprivation and loneliness... St. Helena Island. To get there, we left on a ferry from Manly, across to the island.
Then we returned to Brisbane, to explore the beautiful, sub tropical capital city of the Sunshine State. Brisbane today, is the third largest city in Australia and growing rapidly...
It has come a long way from it's beginnings as the Moreton Bay convict settlement, with such an interesting history. In an earlier issue, we explored some of the history of Brisbane, then visited Brisbane of a later period. There is so much to see and do in this beautiful city, once known as the biggest country town in Australia...
After a break, we resumed our travels... heading in to New South Wales... not too far over the border, to a place that literally stands out, begging to be noticed. It was first given a European name by Captain James Cook... he recorded seeing " a remarkable sharp peaked mountain lying inland". That place was the very imposing Mt. Warning.. you can refresh your memory here
The New Year sees us travelling again, refreshed and ready to go to yet another beautiful place. Many of you will have stopped there, if only to get a photo taken on the border between Queensland and New South Wales..Coolangatta one side, Tweed Heads on the other. Hard to believe that this was only known as Point Danger in times past, as indeed it was... the lighthouse is a clue...
To quote from Wikipedia..
Point Danger is a headland, located at Coolangatta on the southern end of the Gold Coast on the east coast of Australia. Separated by Snapper Rocks and Rainbow Bay to the west, with Duranbah Beach and the Tweed River mouth to the south, present-day Point Danger has also indicated the border between New South Wales and Queensland, Australia, since 1863.
The point is the location of the Captain Cook memorial and lighthouse, the Centaur Memorial and Walk of Remembrance, the Marine Rescue NSW Point Danger station, and the southern end of the Gold Coast Oceanway.
The Centaur Memorial remembers the sinking of Australian Hospital Ship Centaur by a Japanese submarine on 14 May 1943. The Walk of Remembrance commemorates other ships lost to Japanese and German action during World War II and takes the form of plaques arranged in a semicircle around the lookout fence.
You will find that Point Danger features often in Captain Cook's journals.. you can read more about it herePoint Danger Light also known as Captain Cook Memorial Light Coolangatta courtesy of State Library QLD.
Another aspect...
Lighthouse at Point Danger, Coolangatta, Queensland — a memorial to Lieutenant James Cook of HM Bark Endeavour who named the Point and described the area during the voyage of 1770.
- Transferred from nl.wikipedia to Commons. Public Domain
This lighthouse was much needed as can be seen by this list of shipwrecks...thanks to the NSW Heritage Office.
The Australasian, Melbourne 7 May 1870
wreck Perseverance
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| Wreck of the SS Tyalgum Duranbah beach. Copy of original photo by Robert Warbrooke Snr. Creative Commons |
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| Looking towards Tweed Heads, from Point Danger, ca. 1890 State Library Qld |
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| Tweed Heads headlands, ca. 1891 John Oxley Library SLQ |
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| Wreck of the Orara at Point Danger, ca. 1901 State Library Qld |
Queensland Country Life (Qld. : 1900 - 1954), Monday 1 November 1909,
National Library of Australia http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article100868691
There had been quite a long discussion as to where the lighthouse should be...
Brisbane Courier 14 Sep 1912
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| Coolangatta from Pt. Danger 1921 Copy of original photo by Robert Warbrooke Snr. Creative Commons |
As if that wasn't enough, then the discussion re the change of state boundary took place...
The Richmond River Express & Casino Kyogle Advertiser 7 Aug 1925 |
| Copy of original photo by Robert Warbrooke Snr. c 1930 Creative Commons |
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| Copy of original photo by Robert Warbrooke Snr. Creative Commons c 1950 |
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| Point Danger Aussie~mobs |
Despite it's past history, including a very busy industry of a port mainly used for transportation of cedar and later crops, of multiple ship wrecks in the area and the sometimes volatile discussions re the position of a lighthouse and the necessity of a defined border between NSW and QLD, Point Danger is now known best as a tourist magnet.. and why wouldn't it be?
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| Duranbah Beach & Tweed River mouth from Point Danger on the border of Queensland and New South Wales |
The photos above and below are courtesy of David McKelvey, with permission to use for non commercial use. Some rights reserved
You will find more of David's great photos on Flickr at https://www.flickr.com/photos/dgmckelvey/32621724570/in/photostream/
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| Point Danger lookout |
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| Courtesy of visa.nsw.com |
Situated on the New South Wales/Queensland border, high on a peak overlooking Duranbah Beach which is popular for surfing. Point Danger was named by Captain James Cook on his 1770 journey up the east coast of Australia to warn later mariners of dangerous coral reefs off this treacherous coast.
From an historic point of view this place is brimming with interesting facts about Australian maritime history. At Point Danger you will find the Captain Cook Memorial, moulded from cast iron actually jettisoned from the Endeavour and recovered in the 1960s. Next to it is the lighthouse which was the first to experiment (unsuccessfully) with laser light. Memorial plaques are positioned along 'Centaur Remembrance Walk' to those lost at sea.
From Point Danger, you will often see dolphins out to sea, and on a fine day there are views from Surfers Paradise to Byron Bay.
For more information: http://www.destinationtweed.com.au
Have you added this to your bucket list, or are you already a convert as we are?
It is a breathtaking view and the memorial plaques to the shipwrecks are sad to read. Whilst looking out across the water you can usually follow some dolphins playing below. In the evening it used to be known as 'lover's lookout'
ReplyDeleteA very special place indeed. Without telling tales, I can vouch for your last comment.
DeleteIt was a big deal when I was young, to stand with one foot in Qld, one in NSW and have your photo taken. My children did the same.
Thanks for adding to the story!