Torrens Creek – a north Queensland railway settlement
Torrens Creek is a small railway settlement on the Townsville to Mount Isa line, 160 kilometres southwest of Charters Towers. It was established in 1885 when construction of the line crossed Torrens Creek. A settlement emerged as it was temporarily the terminus on the line. A police station and school was established. But Torrens Creek never developed into a town and only had a small population.
Today Torrens Creek consists of a hotel, store, caravan park and approximately 15 houses. No railway buildings survive.
The history of Torrens Creek is poorly documented – few images are in the public domain. Joseph Blake was the Headmaster of the Torrens Creek State School from 1916 to 1920. He was a keen photographer and his images of the town provide an insight into Torrens Creek in this period.
Location
Torrens Creek
Click on images for larger view
