Wynnum 60 and Better members. Photo: Supplied.
FROM WYNNUM 60 AND BETTER
Don’t let kids have all the school holiday fun! Adventurous bayside seniors are preparing to take off on a day trip overseas.
On the eve of Easter, Thursday April 17, a boatload of Wynnum 60 and Better members will set out on a 30-minute ferry ride to the fascinating island of St Helena, beckoning in the bay.
A historical treasure just five kilometres off Manly, the small island was first a colonial-era quarantine station, then an infamous gaol for decades, supported by an innovative prison farm and award-winning trade workshops.
Wynnum 60 and Better program manager Wendy Stewart said the island excursion was a five-kilometre guided walk of the penal settlement ruins. “The tour is designed for people in reasonably good health,” said Wendy. “Wear sturdy walking shoes, a shady hat and sunscreen, bring insect repellent, and prepare to be enthralled.”
A world away from the mainland, this picturesque place is brimming with ghosts of the past, local stories and natural beauty. “The entire island is a history lesson, from earliest Aboriginal occupation, through the harshness of prison settlement and stories of great sadness and ingenuity, to the heritage National Park of today,” said Wendy.
“Besides, it’s a bit of a lark to add a little ‘back to school’ for our local seniors because we are based in the old school building in Wynnum, and St Helena Island is typically a school excursion. We can’t have the kids stealing all the holiday adventures!”
Better still, the boat carries double the number of passengers than the centre’s usual monthly bus trips, making it the perfect opportunity to experience one of the most engrossing days out on the bayside.
“Anyone who is not sure if they can walk the distance can give me a call to find out further details. All of our activities are for members only, but it only takes a few minutes to join and membership is just $10 per calendar year. Our only requirement is that you are at least 60 years old.”
Wynnum 60 and Better’s St Helena Island tour with Cat O’Nine Tails Cruises departs on Thursday April 17, 2025 at 9:00am from William Gunn Jetty, Manly, and returns at 2:00pm. The cost is $55 a head, including lunch.
For more information and bookings, contact Wendy Stewart at 07 3348 6306 or [email protected].
