Coochiemudlo Island

The island is approximately 1 kilometre (0.62 mi) from Victoria Point, also in Redland City. A natural cliff composed of iron-rich rock is exposed on the south western side of the island. Sandy beaches wrap around the island's southern, eastern and northern sides. Mangroves cover the western foreshore of the island.

The name Coochiemudlo is the English language version of the Yuggera words kutchi (meaning red) and mudlo (meaning stone).[1]

The British explorer Matthew Flinders landed on Coochiemudlo Island on 19 July 1799, while he was mapping the southern part of Moreton Bay.[4] The original European name was Innis Island from 1825 to 1850.[1] The island celebrates Flinders Day annually, commemorating the landing of Flinders. The celebrations are usually held on a weekend near 19 July, the actual date of the landing.[5]

At the 2011 census the population of Coochiemudlo Island was 708 people.[6]

The island is serviced by a passenger ferry, operating approximately every half-hour between about 5:00am and 11:00pm. A vehicular barge also operates regular services to and from the island. Due to the relatively small area, a car is not essential for getting around.

A small kiosk, Curlew Café, situated not far from the jetty, serves refreshments. Red Rock Cafe is also on the island plus the Oasis restaurant.

There are many types of wildlife on the island, with its birdlife including sea eagles, brahmany kites, magpies, rosellas, butcher birds, pheasant coucals and a colony of stone curlews which are counted each year.[7]

The waters around Coochiemudlo contain dugongs, turtles and dolphins.

There is a walk through the Melalueca Wetland Reserve with its variety of native plants and trees.

A fauna survey was conducted there in 2016.

At the 2006 census the population of the Coochiemudlo Island was 658 people.[8] Over 43% were more than 54 years old. Of families 58.2% were couples without children. The most common responses for religious affiliation were "No Religion" at 24.2% which is well above the Australian average of 18.7%. 269 said that they were in the workforce and 60% were in full-time occupations while 28% were working part-time. Only 5% of the island's workforce said they were unemployed. The major areas of employment were Hospitals, Local Government Administration, Other Social Assistance Services, Residential Care Services and Building Completion Services. The median weekly household income was $616, compared with $1,027 in Australia.

At the 2011 census the population of Coochiemudlo Island was 708, 52.7% female and 47.3% male. The median age of the Coochiemudlo Island population was 52 years, 15 years above the national median of 37. 67.8% of people living in Coochiemudlo Island were born in Australia. The other top responses for country of birth were England 7.8%, New Zealand 6.1%, Germany 1%, Croatia 1%, Philippines 0.7%. 88% of people spoke only English at home; the next most common languages were 0.6% German, 0.6% Indonesian, 0.6% Serbian, 0.4% Dutch, 0.4% Swedish.

The sandy beaches of Coochiemudlo Island provide safe swimming. Coochiemudlo's southern beach (main beach) is patrolled by the surf lifesaving association. A 'Nippers' program is available, and caters for both on-island, and off-island children. The surf lifesavers have the use of a building with a first-aid room.

Other facilities include a BMX track, cricket pitch and football oval, bowls/croquet lawn, 9-hole golf course, 2 tennis courts, gym, and a library beneath the Community Hall.

The island's Community Hall has views of Moreton Bay and the mainland. The hall provides the community with a venue for a number of activities and functions.

Also near the tennis courts and croquet green is a recreation hall. This hall is used for indoor bowls, art shows, meetings, and special events.

Fishing is also a common pastime, with species such as bream, whiting, flathead, flounder, tailor, cod, and snapper, amongst others, to be found in the waters around the island.

Coochie is also a destination for sailors. As the island is surrounded on three sides by sandy beaches, and there is always a sheltered beach regardless of the wind direction. Sailing craft range from sailboards, off-the-beach catamarans and dinghies to larger motor and sail yachts. A deep water anchorage and moorings are located to the south of the island near the jetty and boat ramp.

Housing styles on Coochiemudlo range from traditional 1950s fibro beach shacks, contemporary light weight beach houses, relocated Queenslander houses, and conventional suburban brick and tile.

• List of islands of Queensland

• History of Coochiemudlo Island
• Moreton Bay: Queensland Places
• Coochiemudlo Island Pine Ridge Chapel columbarium
• Redland Council Open Space Plan