 Thomas Martin Tripcony was one of the first European settlers to settle along the Pumicestone Passage (which separates the mainland from Bribie Island).In 1861 he selected coastal land on the mainland side of the passage between Hussey Creek () and Glass Mountain Creek () which he called Cowrie Bank.He made his living by lime burning and oystering there and at a number of locations in the passage, but in 1876 settled permanently at Cowrie Bank, building a family home (also called Cowrie Bank) in 1877.