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By Kathy Smith, December 31, 2009

In between the mainland and North Stradbroke Island, Moreton\’s most famous, are smaller islands laid out across the bay. These islands are close enough to Brisbane that many of the residents commute to the city on a daily basis.

Coochie Mudlo Island is named after the Aboriginal word for red rock because of the red cliffs .There are sandy beaches too.Coochie has a village feel and calm waters make for a good family swimming spot and boating area. Dine at Matthew Flinders Cafe and admire bay views from every table. Matthew Flinders landed on the island 200 years ago and there is a re-enactment festival each July. Regular passenger ferry and barge services leave from Victoria Point.

With a population of over 3000, and growing, Russell Island is the largest of the Moreton bay Islands. It is the popular place for a weekend getaway and retired living. The island has shops, a supermarket, cafe, a hotel, and homes to rent for your holiday. the smallest of the islands is Lamb Island, although this is a small island, 2km by 1km, it has the biggest view. Other islands include Macleay Island, population 2500, Kangarra Island, smallest of the inhabited islands. Kangarra Island is a quiet spot without shops so when visiting be sure to bring your picnic.

The most interesting of the islands is St. Helena Island. This island was, at first, hunting grounds for the local tribes. then in 1828 an Aborigine, named Napoleon was brought here after becoming to troublesome a his jail on the North Stradbroke Island.

Forty years later, overcrowding in mainland prisons prompted the government to turn St Helena Island into a penal settlement and after clearing rain forest for timber and to prevent escapes, gardens were planted and houses built from coal blocks and clay. In some respects it was the model system; prisoners were taught a trade and were even paid for their labor and there were only three escapes in 65 years – This may have been because of an ever present large quantity of sharks whose presence were actively encouraged by the wardens !! The last inmate left in 1933.It is possible to tour the island for the day or for a night-tour and these days you will find the stone houses, the Deputy Superintendents house, now a museum and lots of photographs from the prison era.

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