Trinity Inlet facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Trinity Inlet |
|
|---|---|
The MV Trinity Bay steaming out of Trinity Inlet.
|
|
 Trinity Inlet
Location in Queensland
|
|
| Location | Cairns, Queensland |
| Coordinates | 16°55′12″S 145°47′04″E / 16.92000°S 145.78444°E |
| Type | Inlet |
| Etymology | Trinity Sunday |
| Part of | Trinity Bay |
| River sources | Mulgrave River (Historical) |
| Ocean/sea sources | Coral Sea, South Pacific Ocean |
| Basin countries | Australia |
| Settlements | Cairns |
The Trinity Inlet is a special part of the ocean that acts as a port for the city of Cairns in Queensland, Australia. The main part of Cairns city is right on the western side of the inlet, where it meets the Coral Sea.
Contents
What is Trinity Inlet?
Trinity Inlet is a narrow arm of the sea that stretches inland. It's like a natural harbor where ships can safely dock. This inlet is very important for the city of Cairns.
Where is Trinity Inlet?
Long, long ago, Trinity Inlet was actually the mouth of the Mulgrave River. Over time, volcanic activity changed the landscape. This caused the Mulgrave River to shift its path. Now, the Mulgrave River flows into the Coral Sea about 30 kilometers (19 miles) further south.
Nature and Wildlife
The edges of Trinity Inlet are covered with mangrove trees and muddy areas. These mangroves are special trees that can grow in saltwater. They provide a home for many different animals. Inside the inlet, there's even a large island made of mud called Admiralty Island.
You might not see many wild saltwater crocodiles here. This is because most of them were hunted a long time ago. However, there is a special farm in the upper parts of the inlet where saltwater crocodiles are raised.
Trinity Inlet's Role in Cairns
Trinity Inlet is super important for Cairns. It provides a place for ships to dock. This allows things like cane sugar to be shipped out to other places.
The inlet is also home to the only place where fuel tankers can dock. The Royal Australian Navy has a base here called HMAS Cairns. Many companies that build ships also work here. Plus, lots of tour boats that take people to see the amazing Great Barrier Reef start their trips from the Reef Terminal at the entrance to the inlet.
Protecting the Inlet
On the eastern side of the inlet, you can still see parts of an old wall, called a levee. In the 1970s, a company tried to grow sugar cane on land that was usually covered by water. This didn't work well because the soil was very acidic. When the acid went into the inlet, it caused problems for the fish.
In recent years, the Queensland Government has worked hard to fix this problem. They are cleaning up the land behind the levee. This helps to stop the acid from getting into the inlet and makes the area healthier for everyone.
Safe Haven for Boats
Trinity Inlet is also a safe place for smaller boats. When tropical cyclones (big storms) are coming, boats can hide in the calm waters of the inlet. This helps to protect them from the strong winds and waves of the open ocean.
