Explore The Island’s History & Natural Resources

The Quandamooka on Coochiemudlo

We acknowledge the Traditional Owners of country throughout Australia and recognise their continuing connection to land, waters and culture. We pay our respects to their Elders past, present and emerging.

Original human inhabitants of Moreton Bay were the language groups of the Quandamooka people. Coochiemudlo is extremely rich in terms of archaeological value. There are numerous living scar trees, which have bark removed for canoes and shields. There are also a number of stone fish traps, middens and sites where stones were worked.

See map indicating known indigenous sites on Coochiemudlo

Matthew Flinders 19th July 1799

Coochiemudlo was explored by Europeans for the first time when Matthew Flinders sailed in the Norfolk, exploring Moreton Bay in July and August in 1799. He traveled with an aboriginal called Bongaree who made contact with the aborigines.

Coochiemudlo celebrates Mathew Flinders each year in the middle of July with a re-enactment on Norfolk beach.

Coochiemudlo Island Timeline

Original human inhabitants of Moreton Bay were the Ngughie (Moreton Island), Nunukul and Goenpil (Stradbroke Island) language groups of the Quandamooka people. Coochiemudlo Island was known as Kutchi Mudlo (red rock in Goenpil), which was the blood of the dolphin killed by the sparrow hawk which stole a spear from the goanna. The soft red rock was used as a decorative paint.

Unique Coochiemudlo Birds

Coochiemudlo Island has no possums and so we have birds nesting on our island that are not usually found anywhere else in Moreton Bay.

Birdlife Redlands and Brisbane Bayside does a bird walk on the island about every two years. The group also has a bird watching walk once a month on the fourth Wednesday of each month in the Redlands and surrounding areas.

The last Birdlife walk on Coochie was in February 2020. This eBird link shows the birds observed, photos of some of the birds and a map showing the route.

A list of the birds seen over the years on Coochiemudlo. Please note that quite a number of these birds have not been observed on the island for many years.

The Birdlife Australia website is an excellent source of information about birds (http://www.birdlife.org.au/)  and you can renew your membership or join at: http://www.birdlife.org.au/support-us/join-us/

Wild Redlands

More than 300 bird species can be found in the Redlands including many seabirds and migratory shorebirds in Moreton Bay’s Ramsar wetlands. This gallery on the Wild Redlands website presents a selection of Redlands birdlife.

Looking after Moreton Bay’s Sea Creatures

Moreton Bay is a wonderful place for boating, fishing and other recreational activities. Look after the Bay’s sea creatures so future generations will also enjoy them.

Coochiemudlo Island Mangroves

Mangroves are where fish breed and so many fishes that are found in Moreton Bay are bred in the mangrove forests around Moreton Bay. The Mangroves are a very important home to many sea creatures such as crabs and prawns. They also protect our island from erosion.

Coochiemudlo Island Native Flora

The vegetation of Coochiemudlo Island is a combination of coastal, wetland and open forest plants, mostly trees and grasses.

Our Emerald Fringe – A Local Heritage Site

The Emerald Fringe of Coochiemudlo Island was gazetted by the State Government in July 2019 for the Redland City Council as a Local Heritage site. A heritage place provides a link to the past and protection for residents and visitors to enjoy well into the future.

We welcome any subject matter experts who are willing to make a contribution and share their knowledge on any of these topics to please get in touch.