Picnic Bay Jetty facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Picnic Bay Jetty |
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Picnic Bay Jetty
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| Location | Esplanade, Picnic Bay, Magnetic Island, City of Townsville, Queensland, Australia |
| Design period | 1940s - 1960s (post-World War II) |
| Built | 1959 - 1977 |
| Official name: Picnic Bay Jetty | |
| Type | state heritage (built) |
| Designated | 5 April 2004 |
| Reference no. | 602231 |
| Significant period | 1950s-1970s (fabric) |
| Significant components | shed - shelter, furniture/fittings |
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The Picnic Bay Jetty is a special heritage-listed jetty located at Picnic Bay on Magnetic Island, Queensland, Australia. It was built between 1959 and 1977. This important structure was added to the Queensland Heritage Register on April 5, 2004. It has played a big role in connecting Magnetic Island to the mainland and helping tourism grow.
Contents
The Jetty's Story
The Picnic Bay Jetty you see today is probably the third one built in the same spot. Permission to build it was given in 1957. The jetty was finished around October 1959. The Australian Government paid for its construction. It was then leased to a company called Hayles Magnetic Pty Ltd. This company was involved in tourism on Magnetic Island since 1898. They leased the new jetty from 1960 until 1981.
Early Days of Tourism
Tourism on Magnetic Island started with the Butler family in 1877. Harry Butler and his family had a farm in Picnic Bay. They built small huts near their home. Soon, the island became a popular holiday spot for people from the mainland. The Butler family even started a ferry service.
Tourism really took off when Robert Hayles built a hotel in Picnic Bay in 1899. Hayles bought the Butler family's holiday setup in 1898. He then built a two-story hotel, a dance hall, and his own jetty. This new jetty was close to where the current jetty stands.
Building the First Jetties
In March 1900, Robert Hayles asked for permission to build a wooden jetty. It was planned to be 6 feet wide and 100 feet long. The Marine Department approved its construction later that month. However, this new jetty was damaged by Cyclone Leonta in 1903. By 1910, it was in poor condition. Robert Hayles had to do many repairs to fix it.
To help his tourism business, Robert Hayles bought and built small ferries. His first ferry, called the Bee, was bought from Sydney. After a storm destroyed the Bee in 1901, he built the Phoenix and later the Magnet. These boats were the start of a much larger Hayles fleet. This fleet eventually operated in many places, including Cairns and Darwin.
Growing the Island Community
Having a regular ferry service to Magnetic Island changed the community a lot. It became especially important after 1900 when going to school became compulsory. Students living on the island could now travel to school on the mainland every day. Because of this, more people started living permanently on the island. More businesses also opened up.
The Hayles family tourism business kept growing. On June 20, 1910, Eustace Robert (Bob) Hayles got permission to build another jetty at Picnic Bay. It's possible this was a second jetty. However, it's unlikely the company waited six years to replace the one damaged in the 1903 cyclone.
By 1917, there were two private jetties at Picnic Bay. There was also one at Nelly Bay. These jetties were not in good condition. The Townsville Harbour Board suggested that no more private jetties should be built on the island.
Expansion and Challenges
The Hayles' tourism business continued to do well and expand. A new hotel was built at Picnic Bay after the first one burned down in 1911. They also built a guesthouse and jetty at Arcadia. Tourism ventures also started at Nelly and Horseshoe Bays.
On March 13, 1922, the Hayles Company, Hayles Magnetic Island Pty Ltd, was officially formed. Bob Hayles became its Chairperson. The company grew, offering mail and cargo services in places like Cairns and Darwin.
In August 1920, the Townsville Harbour Board took control of the Magnetic Island foreshore. This meant they controlled the jetties. However, in June 1925, the Board decided not to build jetties themselves. Instead, they would approve private companies building shipping facilities.
The Hayles family company kept expanding. They started a service to Green Island in 1928 and Brisbane River cruises in 1936. But when World War II started in 1939, their shipping operations stopped. The Australian military took over the company's boats and the facilities at Picnic Bay. These were used as a rest camp for service personnel.
Post-War Upgrades
After the war, in 1945, the company's property was returned to the Hayles family. They began a period of expansion and upgrading. Roads, buildings, and jetties were improved. In 1957, the Townsville Harbour Board approved building a new jetty at Picnic Bay. Tenders were called on January 15, 1959. The jetty, built by John Holland (Constructions) Pty Ltd, was finished around October 1959.
The Australian Government's Commonwealth Aid Marine Works Trust Fund paid for the construction, costing £43,000. Hayles Magnetic leased it for 20 years and was responsible for its upkeep. The shelter shed at the end of the jetty was built later, in 1977.
The jetty was damaged by Cyclone Althea on Christmas Eve 1971. However, its main structure remained strong. When the lease ended in 1981, the Picnic Bay Jetty Maintenance Fund was set up. Hayles Magnetic was the main user of the jetty. This fund collected money from berthing fees to pay for the jetty's maintenance.
By 1984, the jetty was used by 250,000 to 300,000 people each year. In November 1985, the Townsville Harbour Board wanted to build another shelter shed on the jetty. Plans showed the new shed would be placed slightly differently for better passenger access.
A Community Hub
The Picnic Bay Jetty is more than just a place for ferries. It has always been very important to the Magnetic Island community. People use it for fishing, walking, and enjoying the views of Cleveland Bay and the Townsville skyline. Small yachts and fishing boats also often moor there.
In 2001, there was a plan to remove the Picnic Bay Jetty. This would happen once new harbour facilities at Nelly Bay were finished. The Magnetic Island Historical Association and local community members were very worried about this.
On July 8, 2001, 1500 people from Townsville and Magnetic Island gathered on the jetty. They asked for the jetty to be saved. This led to news articles, letters, and a request to add the jetty to the Queensland Heritage Register. The community even offered to help maintain the jetty if the government stopped.
What the Jetty Looks Like
The jetty is located in Picnic Bay. It stretches out into the bay from the Esplanade, where Yule Street meets the beach.
The jetty was originally 800 feet long. However, extensions in 1977 added about 20 feet to its length.
It stands on 160 square concrete piers. These piers are spaced evenly along the jetty. Round piers covered in concrete support the assembly area at the end of the jetty.
The jetty itself is made of round timber beams with wide timber decking on top. A raised walkway runs along one side. This walkway has timber handrails on both sides for safety. The rest of the jetty is used as a driveway for luggage and emergency vehicles meeting the ferry. There is no safety rail on the outer side of the jetty.
The walkway is lit by six fluorescent lights. There are also lights in the shelter sheds at the end of the jetty.
The sheltered area at the end of the jetty has three parts. One shed, which looks older, is made of corrugated iron. Its northwest wall is enclosed to block the weather. A second, square shed is in the center. It has an aluminum roof. This area is divided into four sections by walls. Children from Magnetic Island State School have painted murals on these walls. Seats are along each wall. A third sheltered area is attached to the central structure. This area leads to the main stairs for getting on and off the ferry.
Why It's Heritage Listed
The Picnic Bay Jetty was added to the Queensland Heritage Register on April 5, 2004. This means it meets certain important criteria.
It shows how Queensland's history has changed. The Picnic Bay Jetty, built in 1959, is at least the third jetty on this spot. It has been connected to the Hayles family company since 1898. This shows how important the company was in developing Magnetic Island.
It is important to the community for social and cultural reasons. The community values the Picnic Bay Jetty a lot. It helped Magnetic Island become a major tourist spot. It also plays a big role in the daily life, family activities, and fun of the island community. The community's strong desire to save the jetty shows how much it means to them.
It is linked to important people or groups in Queensland's history. The current jetty shows the big impact the Hayles Company had. They helped make Magnetic Island a popular tourist destination. This made a huge contribution to Queensland's tourism industry.
Images for kids
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Picnic Bay Jetty, around 1927
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Bridge supports revealed at low tide, 2008
