Ross Creek is the main ocean tributary of
Yeppoon
Yeppoon is a coastal town and locality in the Shire of Livingstone, Queensland, Australia. Yeppoon is renowned for its beaches, tropical climate, and the islands out on the bay. Located from the city of Rockhampton, Yeppoon is the seat of the ...
,
Queensland
)
, nickname = Sunshine State
, image_map = Queensland in Australia.svg
, map_caption = Location of Queensland in Australia
, subdivision_type = Country
, subdivision_name = Australia
, established_title = Before federation
, established_ ...
, on the
Capricorn Coast
The Capricorn Coast is a stretch of coastline in Central Queensland, Australia and is part of the Shire of Livingstone (formerly part of Rockhampton Region).
Geography
The Capricorn Coasts takes its name from Cape Capricorn () on Curtis Is ...
. Beak Bridge crosses Ross Creek, connecting Yeppoon with
Cooee Bay
Cooee Bay is a coastal locality in the Livingstone Shire, Queensland, Australia. In the Cooee Bay had a population of 913 people.
Geography
Cooee Bay is bounded to the east by the Coral Sea. It is centrally located on the Capricorn Coast, tw ...
and other southern towns along
Scenic Highway 10.
Community
While Ross Creek has no permanent population, it is a major community centre with a park, boat ramp, and public barbecues. Markets at Ross Creek are held every month. Ross Creek is best known for its fishing.
On the low tide, muddy sandbars on the southern side of the bridge are revealed, and are a popular place for pumping for yabbies.
On the incoming tide, the creek fills to near capacity. Man-made stone walls on either side of the creek, plus a sandy beach at the mouth provide plentiful fishing spots.
Whiting,
flathead, and
silver bream are common catches.
Flora and fauna
Sandy at its mouth, Ross Creek becomes muddier on the other side of the bridge and is popular for mud crabs. Hectares of low lying land either side of Ross Creek fills at high tide, providing the perfect environment for mangroves to grow. In turn, the mangroves give shelter to crustaceans, prawns, and fish. Queensland Government studies have identified ten different species of mangrove in the Ross Creek-Fig Tree Creek system.
Ross Creek is also famous as a breeding ground for colonies of flying foxes. The mangroves provide a permanent home for approximately 2,000 black flying foxes (Pteropus alecto), as well as a seasonal camp for several hundred thousand little red flying foxes (Pteropus scapulatus).
History
Prior to
Local Government Amalgamations in 2008, all areas on the Capricorn Coast were administered by
Livingstone Shire Council
The Shire of Livingstone is a local government area located in the Capricornia region of Central Queensland, Queensland, Australia, to the immediate north and east of the regional city of Rockhampton. The shire, administered from the coastal to ...
but are now part of
Rockhampton Region
The Rockhampton Region is a local government area (LGA) in Central Queensland, Australia, located on the Tropic of Capricorn about north of Brisbane. Rockhampton is the region's major city; the region also includes the Fitzroy River, Mount Ar ...
.
Several trawlers still berth in Ross Creek, the remnants of an intensive
sea scallop fishing industry based at Ross Creek up until
Rosslyn Bay took shape in the 1970s.
Also visible on the eastern wall by the creek mouth are the remains of a concrete-and-stone salt water pool that was built in the 1950s as a safe swimming place for children.
See also
*
List of rivers of Australia
This is a list of rivers of Australia. Rivers are ordered alphabetically, by state. The same river may be found in more than one state as many rivers cross state borders.
Longest rivers nationally
Longest river by state or territory
Althoug ...
References
{{Rivers of Queensland
Coastal towns in Queensland
Rivers of Queensland
Central Queensland