Castle Hill, Townsville facts for kids
Castle Hill is a famous pink granite hill in Townsville, Queensland, Australia. It's known by its Indigenous name, Cootharinga, which is sometimes spelled Cooderinga.
This impressive hill rises about 286 metres (938 feet) above the sea. It really stands out against the city skyline. Castle Hill is one of the most unique natural sights along the Queensland coast. From its top, you can see amazing views of the city below and also across Cleveland Bay to Magnetic Island. Because it's so special, Castle Hill was added to the Queensland Heritage Register in 1993.
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What is Castle Hill Like?
Castle Hill is a very old hill, formed millions of years ago. It rises sharply from the flat land around it. The surface is mostly bare rock or has very thin soil. There are three main peaks at the top of the hill. You can still see where a quarry used to be on the southern side. There's also a large graffiti artwork called 'The Saint' on the northern cliff face.
A paved road called "Castle Hill Road" winds for about 2.6 kilometres (1.6 miles) from the bottom to the summit. At the top, you'll find the Hynes Lookout platform, which offers fantastic views.
There are also some buildings and structures on the hill. These include water tanks and three radio communication towers. On the northernmost peak, there's an old observation post built in 1942. It's a small concrete bunker with openings for looking out.
The Robert Towns Monument
On Castle Hill, you'll find a monument dedicated to Robert Towns. He was the person who founded Townsville. He passed away in Sydney in 1873.
Years later, in 1941, the Townsville City Council decided to bring his monument from Sydney to Townsville. They thought Castle Hill would be the perfect spot for it. After some discussions and delays, the monument was finally placed on Castle Hill in November 1949. It has been there ever since. A special plaque was added to tell visitors the story of how the monument came to be on the hill.
Plants and Animals
Castle Hill is home to many different plants and animals.
Plants of Castle Hill
About 300 different kinds of plants have been found on Castle Hill. Many of these are native to the area. Some very important plants include:
- A special orchid called Sarcochilus ceciliae, which was first described from Castle Hill in 1865.
- Two new types of grass that are only found on Castle Hill. Scientists are still studying them.
- A type of spiky grass called Triodia stenostachya, which usually grows inland but is found here near the coast.
The hill mostly has different kinds of Eucalyptus trees with other woody plants. In some wetter areas, you can find small patches of thick vine plants. On the gentler slopes, you'll see kangaroo grass, while giant spear grass grows on the steeper parts. The cliffs and rocky areas have their own special plants, like five types of fig trees and two types of orchids.
Animals of Castle Hill
While not fully surveyed, some animals have been seen on Castle Hill. These include the unadorned rock-wallaby. Over 50 types of birds either visit or live on the hill. You might even spot Peregrine falcons and brahminy kites, which build their nests here. Other animals like echidnas, death adders (a type of snake), and quail have also been seen.
Things to Do at Castle Hill
Many local people enjoy walking up Castle Hill for exercise. There are different ways to reach the top, either by the paved road or by rougher paths known as 'goat tracks'. One famous goat track has 758 steps!
Castle Hill is also a very popular place for tourists. School groups often visit to learn about nature, local history, and how cities are planned. A local group, the North Queensland Conservation Council, also works to help the native plants grow back on the hill.
History of Castle Hill
Castle Hill has had a few other names over time, like Cutheringa and Cudtheringa. The Aboriginal history of Cutheringa isn't fully recorded, but its name is one of only two known Indigenous place names in the Townsville area.
Castle Hill was one of the first places named by Andrew Ball in 1864, who explored the area where Townsville now stands. The hill quickly became a much-loved landmark. It helped shape how Townsville's streets were laid out. In the late 1800s, people visited the hill for fun, like studying plants. However, some people also cut down trees illegally, and wild goats ate the native plants.
Because of these concerns, the Townsville Municipal Council asked to make Castle Hill a protected area. In 1888, it became a Recreation Reserve. Even with this protection, it was hard to restore the trees, especially during tough economic times.
In the 1930s, the Council started to focus more on Castle Hill. They removed the goats, which helped the plants grow back naturally. From 1935 to 1936, a road to the summit was built. This project also helped create jobs during the Great Depression. This road, now called Castle Hill Road, and the lookout were named after Maurice Hynes, a government minister at the time.
Castle Hill During World War II
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During World War II, Castle Hill was very important for communications and watching out for enemies. Australian soldiers were stationed on the hill. They built an observation post, which you can still see today. In 1942, a radar station was set up on the summit, and searchlights were placed halfway up the hill. The road up Castle Hill was closed to regular traffic to allow for military construction. There are also unconfirmed reports that an underground military headquarters was planned inside Castle Hill in 1943.
Modern Development
Since the 1950s, parts of the recreation reserve have been used for other things. These include more water storage, quarrying (taking out rock), a restaurant (which is now gone), car parks, and communication towers. Some areas have also been turned into residential land for houses. The Yarrawonga area at the base of Castle Hill is known for its expensive homes with great views of North Ward and Magnetic Island. Since 1974, the communication towers on the summit have been used by various services like air traffic control, ambulance, fire brigade, police, and customs.
Images for kids
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1952 photograph of the quarry near Sturt Street
