Ross Creek is an estuary inlet within the city of Townsville, Queensland

Townsville, Queensland

Townsville is a city on the north-eastern coast of Australia, in the state of Queensland. Adjacent to the central section of the Great Barrier Reef, it is in the dry tropics region of Queensland. Townsville is Australia's largest urban centre north of the Sunshine Coast, with a 2006 census...

. It separates the Townsville CBD from Ross Island. The only passage across Ross Creek was by ferry until Victoria Bridge

Victoria Bridge, Townsville

Victoria Bridge is a swing bridge over the Ross Creek in Townsville, Queensland, Australia. The central-pivoting swing bridge was constructed by G. H. Royce & Co. in 1889. It is one of only two of its type constructed in Australia....

 was completed in 1889.

History

Ross Creek was the only port for Townsville until 1892, at which time the outer harbour was constructed. Vessels from interstate and overseas moored in Cleveland Bay and passengers were transferred to the northern shore of the creek by lighters

Lighter (barge)

A lighter is a type of flat-bottomed barge used to transfer goods and passengers to and from moored ships. Lighters were traditionally unpowered and were moved and steered using long oars called "sweeps," with their motive power provided by water currents...

.

See also

• Ross River (Queensland)
• Port of Townsville
  Port of Townsville
  Port of Townsville is a seaport in Townsville, Queensland. It is the third largest seaport in Queensland after Port of Brisbane and the Central Queensland Port in Gladstone. Port of Townsville handles numerous imports and exports mainly, Mineral Ores, Fertiliser, Concentrates, Sugar and Motor...