Before the advent of modern highways and air travel, North Queensland’s coastal waters teemed with small ships, serving as vital links between communities and transporting passengers and goods.
Up until 1881, a fleet of small vessels operated between Townsville and Cairns, with Dungeness serving as a vital port of call along the route.
Among the first steamers to service this passage were the Dugong and the Porpoise, pioneering transport along the rugged coastline. In 1881, a significant advancement came with the importation of a paddle steamer from England.
This vessel played a crucial role in ferrying passengers upstream from Dungeness, further enhancing connectivity in the region.
The legacy of these early steamers remains a fascinating chapter in the Hinchinbrook region’s rich maritime history.
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