Bulwer, Queensland facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Bulwer Queensland
One of the scuttled ships on the beach at Bulwer, 2011
Bulwer Location in Queensland
Population	59 (2021 census)
• Density	148/km2 (380/sq mi)
Postcode(s)	4025
Area	0.4 km2 (0.2 sq mi)
Time zone	AEST (UTC+10:00)
LGA(s)	City of Brisbane (Deagon Ward)
State electorate(s)	Redcliffe
Federal Division(s)	Bonner
Localities around Bulwer: Moreton Bay Moreton Island Moreton Island Moreton Bay Bulwer Moreton Island Moreton Bay Moreton Island Moreton Island

Bulwer is a small coastal town on the north-western side of Moreton Island in Queensland, Australia. It is part of the City of Brisbane. In 2021 census, Bulwer was home to 59 people.

Where is Bulwer?

Bulwer is located on the north-west coast of Moreton Island. It faces Moreton Bay. The town is about 40 kilometres (25 miles) from the centre of Brisbane. Moreton Island is mostly a national park, so Bulwer is one of the few developed spots. It has some houses and a long sandy beach. You can't drive on paved roads to Bulwer. Instead, there are dirt tracks that connect it to other parts of the island.

A Look Back in Time: Bulwer's History

Bulwer was likely named after Lord Edward Bulwer-Lytton (1803–1873). He was an important British government official. From 1858 to 1859, he was the Secretary of State for the Colonies. This job meant he looked after British colonies around the world. In 1859, he helped make Queensland a separate colony from New South Wales. He also appointed Sir George Bowen as Queensland's first Governor.

Early Days and the Pilot Station

James Palmer, a pilot station keeper, at Bulwer in 1908.

In 1848, a special station for "maritime pilots" moved to Bulwer. Maritime pilots are experts who guide ships safely into and out of harbours. This station was important for ships coming into Moreton Bay.

In 1863, land in Bulwer was offered for sale for the first time. People could buy small plots of land.

Schools in Bulwer

Children playing cricket at Bulwer State School in 1899. The teacher's house is next to the school.

A school and a teacher's house were built in Bulwer in 1865. The school opened around 1866 or 1867. Most of the students were children of the pilot station staff.

In 1875, the Queensland Government set aside land for a government school. This new school, Moreton Island State School, opened around 1876. It was renamed Bulwer State School in 1878. For a short time in 1891, it became a smaller "provisional school," but it was back to a full state school by 1895.

However, in 1909, the pilot families moved to Brisbane. The pilots would then work from a ship. Because there were no longer enough children living in Bulwer, the school closed that same year.

The Scuttled Ships of Bulwer

Landing a boat at Bulwer in 1906.

In the 1930s, three old ships were "scuttled" near Bulwer. To "scuttle" a ship means to sink it on purpose. The idea was to create a safe harbour for smaller boats.

• The first ship, the Hopewell, was sunk in May 1933.
• Two days later, the Mount Kembla was also sunk.
• In September 1935, the Kallatina joined them.

Even with the sunken ships, the harbour wasn't always safe. In 1938, a small boat called the Achilles hit the half-sunken Mount Kembla during a storm. The Achilles sank quickly, but the 12 men on board were able to climb onto the Mount Kembla until they were rescued.

People of Bulwer

In 2021 census, there were 59 people living in Bulwer.

Getting to Bulwer

You can reach Bulwer from Brisbane by taking the Micat Barge service. Bulwer is one of the main places where visitors arrive on Moreton Island. Most of the island (about 98%) is a national park, so it's a popular spot for nature lovers.

Education in Bulwer

There are no schools in Bulwer or anywhere else on Moreton Island. Children who live there usually learn through distance education (learning from home with materials sent to them) or by going to a boarding school.

What's in Bulwer?

Bulwer has some useful facilities:

• A helipad for helicopters.
• A first aid station for medical help.
• Places to stay for holidays.
• A general store where you can buy things.
• A public phone.

Bulwer Park is a public area that includes the helipad and a toilet. The Moreton Island SES Facility and the Bulwer Rural Fire Station are also located in the town.

Images for kids

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  One of the scuttled ships on the beach at Bulwer, 2011

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  James Palmer, pilot station keeper at the pilot station house at Bulwer, 1908

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  Cricket match at Bulwer State School, Queensland, 1899. Group of children playing cricket in the grounds of Bulwer State School, on Moreton Island, in 1899. The teacher's residence is next to the school.

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  Landing a boat at Bulwer, 1906