Yerra-bin / King Island
Wellington Point has always been a destination in the roadmap of my growing up years. My parents took me to meet friends to play on the playground and climb the majestic trees when I was little. We had picnics by the water and I practised my amateur photography there as a teenager. I went to a high school nearby and even filmed on the Wellington Point jetty for my Year 12 Film and Television project. One of the many attractions at the Point is a little island in the distance that you can actually walk to at low tide! Whenever we would visit I would see it in the distance and wish we had time to walk there. Or if we did have time, it was high tide! Fortunately, everything aligned recently and we were able to walk all the way along the sand bar to the island. There are two informational signs on the island, one which welcomes you to Yerra-bin. I wondered what the traditional Aboriginal name was for the island. I actually didn’t even know what the English name was - it’s King Island. Between 1904 and 1906, Yerra-bin beame home to the Phillips family. They had seven children and a maid and they all lived on the island! It was recommended by medical professionals for their daughter Jo to bathe in the sea water every day as she suffered from polio. They lived in tents and marquees, and their kitchen and dining room was under a big cotton tree. Food was sourced from around the island with fresh water being brought from the mainland. If that wasn’t astounding enough, the father commuted to Brisbane every day for work!
In 1943, The American Navy set up a camp for 1500 men at Wellington Point. Yerra-bin became a target for bombing practise. Thankfully it is still in one piece for us to enjoy today!
Before you set off, definitely remember to wear shoes. Mum and I took our thongs off and left them in the car, thinking we’d be walking on soft sand. It is actually quite gritty and sharp from the rocks and coral so our feet were sore by the end of the 2km return trip. Remember, it’s a seabed when the tide’s up!
Please enjoy this gallery of photos from our walk from Wellington Point to Yerra-bin.
Mangroves- a childhood playground
Looking back from Yerra-bin to Wellington Point
The loveliest sunset
Wellington Point is such a relaxing spot with something for everyone. I’m so glad we finally got to walk out to Yerra-bin - I don’t mind a bit of island exploring, especially when it finishes with a sunset this gorgeous!
Kate x