HISTORY OF 'THE ROCKS'

1842 - 1853 - 1859 - 1860 - 1861 - 1868 - 1872 - 1874 - 1878 - 1887 - 1891
1904 - 1906 - 1909 - 1911 - 1921 - 1930 - 1969 - 1970

THE ROCKS (original property name) is located at the heart of the earliest European settlement on the Sunshine Coast

1842
A proclamation issued by Governor Gipps, in 1842, directed that no licences be granted to occupy land, or cut timber in the lands where the Bunya Bunya tree was found.

The Gipps proclamation was enforced in the area between the Maroochy and Mooloolah Rivers and on the Blackall Range. Consequently no runs were taken up and no timber licenses were granted in that area until Queensland became a separate colony.

1853
Daniel and Zacharias Skyring were granted leases to two cattle runs, "Canando" and "Yandina", both of which had a frontage to the Muru Kutchi Dha (Maroochydore - place of black swans).

The Rocks is on the eastern side of the Conando Run & the western corner of the Yandina Homestead

1859
Queensland becomes a separate colony.

1860
Following the enactment of the new land laws, Edmund Lander applied for a runcalled Mooloolah Back Plains in May 1861 and by the 1862 he had established an out station on the area across the river from "The Rocks" now covered with cane.

1861
In a report on the Maroochy River dated 23 April 1861, Lieutenant G P Heath RN Marine Surveyor wrote "The timber is at present being cut about 18miles up the river (The Rocks) Cedar, Beech, Flooded Gum, Bunya and Mountain Pine are very plentiful especially the Beech".

1868
Under the provision of the Crown Lands Alienation Act of 1868, cattle runs were opened up to selection. James Low selected 330 acres Lander's Station.

1872
Ned Browne became Manager of Yandina Station and stayed on until 1900.

At this time, the historical conflict with the Aborigine's at Lake Weyba occurred. Remembered today by Murdering Creek Road.

Yandina Station became the way station enroute to Gympie Gold Rush.

1874
Edward Browne was born at Yandina Station

1878
The Rocks was selected by Peter Stevans, as a homestead of 150 acres

At this time timber getting was the main industry. The logs were dragged by bullock teams to the river banks and rafted downstream to the mouth of the river, then either dragged across country or towed by sea to Mooloolaba and transported this to Pettigraws mill in Brisbane by small steamers.

1887
Just down steam a few metres from where "Picnics at the Rocks Restaurant" now operates, Peter Stevans erected a wharf and store.

This wharf was at the limit of navigation for small paddlewheel steamers, such as the "Tandora Rajah" which provided the main transport link with Brisbane.

1891
The rail link with Brisbane is opened ending the need for the steamers

1904
Edward Browne a teamster and timber getter, purchased The Rocks from the widow of Peter Stevans.

1906
Ed Browne builds the Queenslander homestead on the Maroochy River, still found on site.

When the last timber, suitable for milling, was finally cut out, Dairying and Banana growing started on the homestead

1909
William Coulson commenced a mail, passenger and goods service from Yandina to Bli Bli this was later extended to Maroochydore by motor boat.

1911
The Morton Central sugar mill tramway was extended to the Maroochy River and the sugar industry developed rapidly along the banks of the river. The cane was loaded on to tram trucks in the field, moved over portable tram line to the river bank where the trucks were loaded onto punts and transported down river to the tram terminus.

1921
The Yandina Coolum road bridge was built across the north Maroochy River

1930
A train bridge was built across the river and the tramline was slowly extended on both sides of the River.

1969
Cessation of river transport

1970
Dairy, Banana, Timber industries die out & the river flats are fully utilized by the Sugar Cane industry.