Yura (Welcome). The community of Redlands Coast encompasses the culture and heritage of many diverse nations.
The Quandamooka people have been living in and around what is now the Redlands Coast for tens of thousands of years. On "naturally wonderful" Minjerribah (North Stradbroke Island), their traditions live on.
Every year, Coochiemudlo Islanders re-enact the visit of Matthew Flinders and his Aboriginal companion Bungaree in 1799.
The first British arrivals established a convict outstation on 'Straddie', a pilot station at Amity Point in 1825 and a stores depot at Dunwich in 1827.
Free settlers arrived, attracted to the Redlands area by the rich fertile soil suitable for farming and agriculture.
By the 1870s, large tracts of land were leased for cotton and sugar plantations as well as timber logging, saw milling and cattle grazing.
British, Germans, Italians and other Europeans came to grow fruit and vegetables and the Redlands became known as 'The Salad Bowl'.
On the islands, the Quandamooka and Europeans operated successful dugong, oyster and fishing enterprises. From the mid 1900s, the population grew to encompass people from all over the world.
In 1969 a small group of Rotarians founded the Redland Museum through which the farming and social heritage of the area has been preserved.
This museum in Cleveland, the North Stradbroke Island Museum on Minjerribah, the South Moreton Bay Islands Historical Museum and local historical buildings are worthy commemorations of our rich and diverse history.
Visit them soon to discover and experience how our forebears contributed to the wonderfully cultural area which we now call Redlands Coast.
Compiled by members of The Redland Museum.
