a side wheeler in Qld.

[rayman]

Here is a little known side wheeler operating in Queensland out at Longreach on the Thompson river. She was built about 12 years ago at Yandina and ran on the Maroochy river in conjunction with the local ginger factory carrying tourists, hence the name "Ginger Belle"
 Steel hull, timber decks and houses, 46 ft and licensed for 48+2.
Verticle "Marshal" boiler and single cyl. D-A engine. but that was all just for show, underneath well sound-proofed was a 6-354 perkins driving everything. After running about four years the owner/builder got sick of it, lifted her out of the water and built a tourist train. Ginger Belle sat several years before being sold and going out to Longreach (1000 miles inland) don't know how she is doing now, I think the river might have dried up. First pic is a postcard, second is showing her lifted out and the owner/builder Robbie Robertson. She now carries the name "Thompson Belle"