CYCLING COOCHIEMUDLO ISLAND, QLD. AUS.

Boats off Coochiemudlo Island

Coochiemudlo Island is a small island only 5 square kilometres in size but having 4 kilometres of beautiful safe beaches and situated only a short ferry ride from Victoria Point in Queensland. I feel embarrassed to tell you that I have resided in the Redlands shire for 30 years and although I have walked around the island and also kayaked around it, I have never attempted to ride around it.
 

 

 



The Isle of Coochie as it is sometimes referred to.



 

 A short while ago, a group of us dedicated recreational cyclists decided it was time to transport our bikes across to the island and explore it. Normally cycling around such a short distance wouldn't take long, however, in this instance, there is so much to see that it was well worth the trip and I hope that my photography will do it enough justice that you the reader will enjoy it as much as we did.
 

 

 

 

 



 



 

 

The island has quite an historical standing as well with the famous explorer and navigator, Matthew Flinders whom most Australians would remember from their early childhood history lessons, actually landed on this island in 1799. There is no evidence to say that there was ever any aboriginal settlement on the island but we do know that the Koobinpul Klan visited the island regularly due to a number of stone artifacts and middens being located on the island. The island also held some importance during the 2nd World War with the beaches being used by the 43rd Landing Craft Company.

 

 



Morton's Steps



When I come across old steps seemingly leading to no where, I tend to become curious, like, who built them, when and why? In this particular case, my questions were easily answered by a sign nearby.

 

 

 

 

An awful lot of time can be wasted musing over such things but I have found in the past that sometimes digging a little further into the history of the object often pays dividends and if nothing else, keeps the imagination fertile.
 

 

 

 

 

Have you ever dreamed of escaping the city madness and heading to a deserted island? The isle of Coochie may well be what you are looking for.....not exactly deserted....but .....look at those beaches. if you can't find peace and solitude here, you won't find it anywhere. One pointer though.......don't come on a weekend when the sun is blazing because that water and sand is like the Genie that offers that one wish.....the only problem.......she offers it to everyone and they all accept. Hundreds of the buggers.
 

 

 

 

It would appear that the locals use bicycles to commute from home to the ferry and that to me makes a whole lot of sense. The roads, in the main, are in good order and it is easy cycling. It costs far less to replace a bike than it does a car when the inevitable rust sets in and it's good for the environment. It's a win, win, win situation.

It's obvious that some people think it's a pretty cool place to live.




Coochiemudlo Kiosk

I can honestly say that everyone enjoyed this ride immensely and before we departed we sat outside the
Coochiemudlo kiosk and ate some very impressive homemade apple pies with our mandatory coffee.


Surface: A combo. of bitumen and dirt tracks.

Difficulty: Easy

Bike: Any type

Family friendly: Absolutely


Cheers and safe riding,

Jimmy Bee