Australasian
United Steam Navigation
Company, Limited.
57
A run of about 100 miles takes us past three very distinct promontories—Capes Upstart, Bowling Green, and Cleveland ; when sharply rounding the last mentioned we are soon under the lee of Magnetic Island, w i t h our next halting-place prettily situated at the foot of Castle H i l l . Tenders come alongside to take passengers ashore, and in twenty minutes we land at
TOWNSVILLE, the growing town that has sprung up so rapidly since Captain Towns, of Sydney, landed in 1859. A view of the town from the bay presents a very pleasing picture ; the slopes on either side of Castle H i l l , w i t h its rugged and precipitous cliffs fronting the bay, rise from houses which nestle at their bases, and two smaller hills at the east are being steadily covered w i t h picturesque little residences half hidden in the dark green foliage of trees and semi-tropical shrubs. This is the first place of importance we have reached in Queensland which is situated on the very shores of the Pacific, a most decided boon, especially in the summer, to its inhabitants of 15,000, when the sea breezes, blowing directly on the town, come up w i t h regularity every morning. A pleasant walk of half an hour along the hard sandy shore brings one close to the Botanical Gardens, or Queen's Park. Here indeed is an enviable spot: the picture of a home country garden, w i t h tropical foliage to boot. It is kept exceedingly trim. The adjoining paddock of 75 acres is open to all for cricket and football. Inside the gardens are two bush-houses, where the plants are arranged to the best advantage; in fact, the fernery is the daintiest to be seen anywhere. A kiosk for the band stands i n the centre of the lawn, and there are many shady nooks under the sheltering trees where one can rest w i t h comfort. This is also the favourite resort of tennis players, for whose pleasure there are a number of courts. Alongside the paddock is the Grammar School, one of the finest buildings north of Brisbane, w i t h accommodation for forty boarders; and at present some necessary extensions are being made to suit growing requirements. The school has established, and is maintaining, a high standard, both for education and moral training. Immediately at the back rises Castle H i l l , most abruptly, nearly 1,000 feet, and one is well repaid for the hour's climb to its summit, which is now seen to be divided into three heads— the " T w o Sisters," with the gardens, at their base, overlooking Cleveland B a y w i t h Magnetic Island in the distance, and the third head commands an unequalled view of the country to the west towards the Range, with its ever varying lines of light