timber

During the 1860s, much changed on the Sunshine Coast. Vast areas of timber were felled and burnt to make way for farming and stock. The railway from Caboolture to Landsborough, built in 1890, opened the way for more intensive settlement. As the train line construction continued further north, the Dularcha railway tunnel was built to provide an essential link through the hillier terrain. It is one of only two tunnels built along the old narrow-gauge, North Coast Line between Brisbane and Gympie. Building the tunnel was labor-intensive work undertaken by T.J. Jessor and Co. Their workers built the concrete-lined tunnel using basic machinery and horses to assist with carting heavy loads. When the line was officially opened on 1 January 1891, it became possible to travel from Brisbane to Gympie and back in a 12hr trip—a major achievement, linking communities and reducing travel time! Among the route’s first travelers were troops sent to quell a Shearers' strike. Source: parks.des.qld.gov.au/parks/dularcha/about/culture

Bullock teams were renowned for their steady, patient and determined pull in difficult situations where horses were prone to jerkiness and panic leading to expensive injuries and breakages. Bullocks didn’t often need shoeing and could live and work on rough herbage rather than the expensive feed required by working horses. It wasn’t until improved road surfaces meant that the greater strength and speed of draught horses could be put to an advantage that bullock teams began to be displaced on the road. In our forests and on our farms bullocks have been used up to the present day. Australia’s last full-time professional bullockies retired from the forest in the early 2000’s, but there are still a few hardy individuals who train and yoke bullock teams as hobbies, for demonstrations, or for part-time work in forests and on farms. In the case of Rohan the Bullocky, his bullock team began as a hobby, developed into a genuine working team, and is now available on and off his farm for heritage displays. Source: www.glenedenfamilyfarm.com.au/our-farm/bullock-team-facts...

Purple Pub Officially known as the National Hotel, the Purple Pub was established in the early 1900s. The west wing was previously the Exchange Hotel in Croydon and was relocated here. Originally painted a light mauve in 1968, then a few shades darker in 1975, it gained its current purple in 1979, and now attracts tourists from all over. It’s one of the most photographed buildings in town. Normanton is the capital of the 68,111km2 Carpentaria Shire and part of the only sealed access to the Gulf of Carpentaria. The shire is as large as Tasmania and only has two towns. The town of Normanton was founded as a port for pastoral and mining ventures in 1870. Normanton is the third oldest town in Queensland north of Bowen and is home to the historic Gulflander Railway. Source: purplepub.com.au/about-us/

Normanton’s “Purple Pub” is built in the same wide veranda, high ceiling style, but is an unusual combination of two separately roofed buildings. I doubt it was called the purple pub when it was built in the late 1800s – purple wasn’t invented till way after that. It’s now the best-known landmark in town. Source: splashingpaintblog.com/tag/normanton-hotel/

The Bishop's Lodge was constructed in 1897 to the design of Tunbridge and Tunbridge, an important Townsville architectural firm, as the residence of the Anglican Bishops of North Queensland, it has continued as the official residence ever since. Of the bishops who have resided at the Lodge, John Oliver Feetham is particularly well known, partly because of his 35 years in office. Feetham was an attractive and eccentric personality, born in England in 1873 as the son of a vicar. Intelligent and well-educated himself, he took an interest in the provision education which was to be a focus for much of his work in North Queensland. The Lodge, like many buildings in Townsville, has suffered damage from cyclones, notably in 1903 and 1971, followed by extensive repair work. In the 1970s a bathroom was added on the south west verandah and the Feetham chapel was created on the north east verandah by glassing in this area. This has preserved a view across the bay seen beyond the altar of the chapel. During the 1970s, a considerable portion of the Lodge's land was subdivided. The house is still the official residence of the Bishops of North Queensland. The Bishop's Lodge is a large timber building situated on an exposed northerly ridge of Castle Hill. The ground falls away from the house on three sides and the Lodge is visible from the surrounding suburb and from the sea. In turn the house has splendid views of Cleveland Bay towards Magnetic Island from its verandah. The architect has used this position to advantage, creating a striking house which is a flamboyant blend of Victorian Gothic and vernacular architecture; perhaps appropriate for an English church transplanted to tropical Australia. It also responds well to the climate with wide verandahs right around the house to obtain the best of both breeze and view. A terrace at the front of the house has a lawn with trees and flowering shrubs. Source: apps.des.qld.gov.au/heritage-register/detail/?id=600883#:...