Whispers of timber linger here at The Gantry. This place was once a bustling sawmill. It’s now a gateway to D’Aguilar National Park’s northern section.
Let me tell you about The Gantry’s past. From the 1930s to 1981, this was a timber production hub. Boilers powered steam engines. The Gantry’s sawmill produced timber for the Moreton Bay Region. This included the Hornibrook Highway. That highway once connected Sandgate and Clontarf. It spanned 2,686 meters. It was Australia’s longest bridge at the time.
Imagine the sounds. Saws screamed. Steam hissed. Workers shouted. Bullocks hauled logs. They moved them to sawmills in Caboolture, Woodford, and D’Aguilar. Later, a sawmill was built right here at The Gantry.
The only visual reminder is the skeleton of a shed. Hancock’s Sawmill erected it in the 1950s. It housed the overhead gantry crane. A gantry is a crane with hoists. It moves loads along parallel lines. Look up inside the shed’s remains. You can see what is left of the system. The sawmill used it for over 30 years.
Mick Simpson constructed the original Gantry building in 1958. He owned the Mt Mee Sawmill then. Hancock Bros built the Mt. Mee Sawmill in late 1933. Dudley Kingston purchased it in 1947. Martin Purcell and Bob Stephens bought it in 1951. Mick Simpson became the last owner in 1955. The sawmill closed in the early 1960s.
The Gantry Day Use Area is now a picnic spot. Enjoy the grassy areas and gum trees. Picnic tables and shelters are available. There are also free barbecues. Tap water must be treated before drinking. Bring your own water. There is ample parking, including bus parking. The Gantry is open 24 hours a day.
Consider a walk after your lunch. The Somerset Trail starts opposite The Gantry. It is a Class 4 track. It passes through forests and rainforest. It offers views of Somerset Dam and Lake Wivenhoe. Wear appropriate shoes. Bring water, snacks, a hat, and sunscreen.
The Piccabeen Walk is a shorter option. It is a one-kilometer loop. It is classified as a Class 2 walk. Enjoy the rainforest and piccabeen palms. Learn about Mount Mee from the information signs. This walk takes about 20-30 minutes.
To get to The Gantry from the south, drive from Dayboro. Take Mount Mee Road and Sellin Road. The road to The Gantry suits 2WD vehicles. From the north, you need a 4WD or trail bike.
The Gantry offers wheelchair access. There are accessible parking spaces and toilets. The picnic tables and barbecues are also accessible. A pathway leads to The Gantry.
The Gantry: It is more than a picnic spot. It’s a historical landmark. It reminds us of the timber industry’s importance. It’s a place where echoes of the past meet the serenity of the present.