Arthur Bay (19°07′44″S146°52′37″E / 19.1289°S 146.8770°E / -19.1289; 146.8770 (Arthur Bay))[5]
The Forts is a mountain (19°07′23″S146°52′14″E / 19.1230°S 146.8705°E / -19.1230; 146.8705 (The Forts (mountain & command post))) which rises to 182 metres (597 ft) above sea level.[7]
Almost all of the locality, apart from a small area near the beach at Radical Bay, is within the Magnetic Island National Park.[8]
Historyedit
Florence Bay was once the site of a private guesthouse reachable only by boat. One of these vessels, The 'Magnet' was carrying a picnic party from Florence Bay when it struck a reef on 25 March 1917 and was subsequently sunk.[9]
After the demise of the guesthouse (reputably due to cyclone damage - unable to verify this), the property passed into the care of the Scout Association and became the main youth training facility in North Queensland.[citation needed]
A group within the Scout Association was recognised for their work to develop the facilities - including a storehouse, pump and well, parade ground, camping area and secluded chapel - by being awarded the title "Florence Bay Rover Crew". It is notable that much of their work was done by hand, including carrying bricks, cement, timber and equipment on their backs from either the main road or Radical Bay moorings.[citation needed]
The chapel, set high on the hillside, is consecrated and contains the cremated remains of one of North Queensland's most notable early Scouting leaders, "Beaver" Masters.[citation needed]
On the headland at the south end of Florence Bay there remains the base of a World War II searchlight tower, along with a command and anti-aircraft installation at The Forts above the bay.[10]
Demographicsedit
In the 2016 census, Florence Bay had a population of 0 people.[11]
In the 2021 census, Florence Bay had a population of 0 people.[4]
Attractionsedit
The Forts Walk is a walking track in the Magnetic Island National Park with a number of points of interests:[12]
The Forts Observation Post (19°07′25″S146°52′17″E / 19.1237°S 146.8714°E / -19.1237; 146.8714 (The Forts observation post))[13]
^ abcdefg"Bays - Queensland". Queensland Open Data. Queensland Government. 12 November 2020. Archived from the original on 25 November 2020. Retrieved 25 November 2020.
^"White Lady Rock – rock in City of Townsville (entry 37289)". Queensland Place Names. Queensland Government. Retrieved 1 August 2023.
^ ab"Mountain peaks and capes - Queensland". Queensland Open Data. Queensland Government. 12 November 2020. Archived from the original on 25 November 2020. Retrieved 25 November 2020.
^"Forts Walk | Magnetic Island National Park". Parks and forests. Queensland Government. 27 July 2022. Archived from the original on 7 June 2023. Retrieved 1 August 2023.
^ abc"Tourist points - Queensland". Queensland Open Data. Queensland Government. 18 November 2020. Archived from the original on 24 November 2020. Retrieved 24 November 2020.
External linksedit
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Florence Bay, Queensland.
"Magnetic Island". Queensland Places. University of Queensland. Archived from the original on 27 September 2020.