This park marks the site of one of the early cross-river ferries in Murwillumbah. There is an informative sign in the park describing some of the history of the ferry. This spot also commemorates the Skinner Lowes riverboat service which operated around the early part of the 20th century from wharves slightly closer to the main town. This modern day, but heritage style wharf commemorates the legacy of this company for Murwillumbah. The cache is a small screw top container. The park is a nice spot for a picnic under the trees, or bring a rod and reel to tease the fish in the river.
Two enterprising brothers, George and Charles Skinner, established a business in Tumbulgum in 1880 manufacturing cordials and aeriated waters. A successful business; the Skinner brothers delivered their products via rowboat to the small villages and hamlets up and down the river. In 1884, they won the contract to cart mail to and from Tweed Heads. To assist with deliveries, a small 10-ton wooden steamer, the Florrie was purchased. Each morning, it left Tumbulgum, travelled up steam to Murwillumbah then downstream to Tweed Heads transporting mail and passengers.
The arrival of the railway in NSW and QLD to both Murwillumbah (1894) and Tweed Heads (1903), saw passenger numbers between the two towns increase and over time additional steamers were added to the fleet, notably the Uki, Booyong, Mebbin, and Emma Pyers, amongst others. In 1913, the Skinners’ brother-in-law, Captain Frank Lowes joined the business and it was incorporated as Skinner, Lowes and Co Ltd. The base for their business was transferred to Murwillumbah, although steam ships left from both Tweed Heads and Murwillumbah each morning, returning to their respective depots in the afternoon. The river was well serviced by Skinner and Lowes steamers. It was sometimes referred to as the “Missing Link” between the NSW and QLD railway systems which were not joined in this era.
Later, the road connecting Tweed Heads and Murwillumbah was completed with bridges over Terranora Inlet and the Tweed River at Chinderah. This more efficient, faster road travel signalled the demise of the river boats and the last regular passenger trip was made by the S.S Mebbin in February 1934.
The "Booyong" and "Mibbin" at North Coast Wharf, Murwillumbah, circa 1900