Ross Creek, Townsville
Ross Creek and Castle Hill [John Oxley Library neg. 16191]
Until 1892 when the outer harbour was constructed, Ross Creek was the port for Townsville. Large vessels from interstate and overseas moored in Cleveland Bay, so that passengers and cargo had to be transferred to the shore by lighters. These usually docked at the wharves on the northern side of Ross Creek.
Until the completion of the Victoria Bridge in 1889, the only passage across Ross Creek was by ferry. First a rowing boat and later a larger vessel was introduced into service as a result of the increase in population. Other small steam and sailing boats were moored along these wharves, some carrying sugar cane and others engaged in Beche-de-mer fishing, pearling, or the South Sea Island labour trade.
Large merchant houses, such as Burns Philp and Samuel Allen, gradually built warehouses along the edge of Ross Creek, so that the area eventually became a thriving business centre for trading not only along the coast of Australia but also overseas.
"Upon entering Ross Creek in the small launch that takes you off from the steamer, you see mud banks, a long stretch of uninviting looking land to the left (which you will be informed is Ross Island), while to the right are a few wharves and the unromantic looking back premises of the business houses on one side of Flinders Street. From the A.S.N. Company's wharf to this main street of Townsville is only a few yards, and the visitor, on getting this far, at once realises that he is in a large, busy, and evidently thriving town."
Queenslander, 25 February 1882
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Last updated: 27th May 2011
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