Entries about kissing point

The Strand has been a part of Townsville's history since the city was founded in the mid-19th century.

The current foreshore and jetty

was opened in 1999 after the old foreshore was severely damaged and eroded after heavy rainfall and wind from Tropical Cyclone Sid in January 1998 and other monsoonal storms between 1997 and 1998.

It was moderately damaged by Cyclone Tessi in April 2000.

Along The Strand is a $2.5million water park, including a giant tipping bucket!

but at the opposite end of the foreshore is The Riverway Lagoons

which cover an area in size of more than three Olympic swimming pools. The lagoons are nestled among shady raintrees, with the picturesque Ross River providing a peaceful backdrop. The surrounding well established raintrees, together with the extensive overhangs of the Riverway Arts Centre roof and additional shade structures, provide a protected year-round safe swimming environment.

The two distinct lagoon areas vary in depth up to 2m. The upper lagoon is designed for more formal uses, including an area for swimming laps and specific areas for disabled and elderly access, with hand rails and suitable water levels. The lower lagoon is more relaxed and is an ideal place for the kids build sand castles and play in shallow water while the rest of the family can lounge on the timber decks in the shade.

Bazza & Shazza (2004)

These two sculptures represent stereotypical Australians inspired by Townsville's vibrant night life.

The real models used to produce the bronze sculptures included the use of real objects such as the high heel shoes, a bra, a bottle opener and jeans. The texture of the lace in the bra and the zipper of the jeans can still be seen in the bronze.

An estimated 120kg was used in casting the chairs.

Sculpture of an illusive dugong

Jezzine Barracks


The 15-hectare heritage precinct commemorates the military and Aboriginal heritage of the Kissing Point headland

through 32 specially commissioned public artworks

extensive interpretive signage, a purpose built Kok walkway

and the restoration of significant elements of the Kissing Point Fort complex.

Large-scale landscaping works have also opened up the area for public use.

Kissing Point Fort

A fine example of the fixed coastal defences constructed in Queensland in the nineteenth century. through its continuous military use from 1885 to 2006 Kissing Point has been associated with many major phases in Australia's deference.

The fort was intended to protect shipping in the post and to defend the north-western approaches to the harbour.

The original battery consisted of two gun emplacements installed in 1885

with an underground storage magazine in between.

Garabarra (Kissing Point)

is a significant area for the Traditional Owners because of its cultural importance as the centre of a common food foraging area, as a major route between Aboriginal living and ceremonial places, and as a frontier place in the early post-contact history of Townsville.

overlooked by Castle Hill

The Croc

Represents the Indigenous peoples of Australia, their strengths and their trading history. The crocodile is a recognised symbol of a great hunter, of strength and longevity, and is included in stories from many regions.

Dooey Dooey

For some Aboriginal groups in coastal North Queensland the creation story of dooey dooey, the shovelnose ray, explains hot the Southern Cross constellation and the Pointers cane to be.

Peanut Tree (Barul)

the Peanut Tree produces small black seeds from bright orange-red pods. The seeds are peeled and eaten raw, their taste closely resembling commercial peanuts.

Aboriginal people utilise many parts of this plant. The inner black fibre is uswed to make string, nets, fishing lines and baskets. The leaves are used for cooking and medicinal purposes. Heated leaves are applied to marine stings, insect bites and wounds.

Gabul Ceremonies

Here the Clever Man and the father wait to perform special ceremonies to retrieve the man's stolen daughter from the big snake Gabul. As represented, when Gabul travelled, he formed the coastline and as he curled up to rest, he formed the hills which are now islands.

Kapok Tree

The ripe brown fruits of this tree open to expose a mass of downy fibres called kapok. Aboriginal people use the kapok for many purpose, such as body decoration for ceremonies. The roots of young plants are edible and nutritious. The bright yellow flowers can be eaten raw or cooked. Young stems are used for firesticks. the kapok readily ignites and ise used for fire making.

Seven Sisters

Dance and art are both very important to Karen Doolan and the two come together in this work. the sculpture is based on a drawing by Doolar and celebrates women and their importance in Aboriginal culture. Her drawing was inspired by the creation story of the seven sisters who came down from the heavens bringing everything that was beautiful in the world.

Brolga

Jeremy George's lively painting of brolga catching a fish has been transformed by Rurik Henry into this stainless steel sculpture. George says he likes to paint things he has seen - brolgas dancing and catching fish, carpet snakes and butterflies, lots of butterflies.

Canoe People

The canoe was an important symbol for the local Aboriginal peoples in both trade and harvesting from the rivers and sea. Kissing Point and Rowes Bay were traditional meeting places for local peoples.

Big Wind Coming

This sentinel references the importance of the stars and the moon in Aboriginal life, and how these are read in relation to the weather. The central and tallest stone - the Listening Looking Stone - is a place of refuge, observation and contemplation surrounded by the Southern Cross Boulders, which hold water and reflect the stars at night.

Rising Sun
The artist has taken inspiration from the Australian army's Rising Sun badge, worn by Australian soldiers since 1902 and commonly identified with the spirit of ANZAC. Inscribed along the curved edge of the work are the mottos of units associated with Jezzine Barracks

This palm tree got my attention - the details of how it grows, meshed together

a great walk around a beautiful spot in Townsville