Lamb Island



Lamb Island is the second smallest of the Southern Moreton Bay Islands. It measures only measuring only 2km by 1km, so it is easy to walk the whole way around the island. Its calm clear waters attracts boaties and fishers. Birdlife is in abundance - it even has a small rainforest. Since the late 19th century, it has been home first to a closely-knit farming community, and more recently, residents of Brisbane seeking a more peaceful lifestyle. The island has a general store, recreation club and a swimming enclosure for cooling off in the bay waters. In the 2011 census, Lamb Island recorded a population of 427 people.

There are mangroves growing on the Point and around the island. They are very prolific in this area, as is the Sea Grass that feeds many dugong and other sealife.

In recent years, with the popularity and resurgence of organic food, the island is gaining a reputation for its unique micro climate and organically grown produce. In addition to commercial organic growing ventures on the island, there are a number of small community garden groups engaged in organic food and ornamental plant production. Due to the strong resurgence in environmentally friendly initiatives, including alternative energy and construction materials and methods, the island has affectionately been labelled "the Green Island".

How to get there: take a train from Roma Street Station in Brisbane to Cleveland Station, then Bus 250 to Redland Bay Marina, and a waterbus or ferry to Lamb Island.

Lamb Island has a rich history of food production dating back to the early 1900s. The island was made up of numerous small farms which supplied produce to the mainland Brisbane market. Due to the unique micro climate created by the islands geographic locationn its extremely fertile volcanic soil and the pure sand aquifers that run beneath it, the farmers were able to supply superior produce to the mainland market earlier than their mainland competitors.

There were several boats (including the well known historic vessels "Roo" and "Amazon") which travelled from the upper reaches of the Brisbane river out to the island to transport the produce. The Roo would also transport supplies from Brisbane for the island's residents and weekend trippers who would visit the island. One of the well known attractions was Peggy Saunders' garden parties. Peggy Saunders was the wife of one of the original farmers and was well known for her beautiful garden which was located on the Western waterfront of the island.



About Moreton Bay

Moreton Bay, to the east of the city of Brisbane and its suburbs, is very much the city's playground, a wide expanse of relatively calm water dotted with many surprisingly unspoilt islands of different sizes and varying character. The bay extends some 160 km from Caloundra in the north almost to Surfers Paradise in the south

The bay's southern navigation entrance is the Gold Coast Seaway. It is a haven for wildlife - spotting dolphins, whales, turtles and manta rays, and its vast array of birdlife is a popular pass time. The bay's heritage protected wetlands, mudflats, and waterways are some of the healthiest in the region, supporting seasonally up to 25 % of Australia's bird species. Moreton Bay is also a popular destination for recreational anglers and is used by commercial operators who provide seafood to market. A number of ferry and water-taxi services travel over the bay either to and from islands or on day and half-day sightseeing and fishing tours.