Moreton Bay Regional: Coast, Culture and Discovery

Moreton Bay Regional takes you from Redcliffe’s coastal history to galleries, water activities and trails throughout the wider region. The broader Moreton Bay travel area is in South East Queensland, between Brisbane and the Sunshine Coast. It stretches from coastal villages and communities on the Redcliffe Peninsula and Bribie Island to hinterland towns such as Samford, Dayboro, Mount Mee and Woodford. The excursions you have planned can help determine where to base your trip: local history, water activities and longer routes each offer a different focus.

Coastal Culture and Local History

Redcliffe Museum tells the stories of the people, places and defining moments that have shaped the historic coastal town of Redcliffe. It offers a year-round program of changing exhibitions, events and workshops. Children can visit the Imaginarium, a dedicated play space with activities and craft, where they can create, learn and explore. Alongside the changing exhibitions, there is a focus on practical activities designed for children.

In Deception Bay, the approximately four-kilometre Heritage Trail explores local history. Sixteen sculptures serve as trail markers, and the walk is estimated to take about 90 minutes. Stops include the Bathing Pool, the site of the first post office and local general stores. The Bathing Pool is part of the trail’s historical story. The Caboolture Regional Art Gallery offers a different cultural focus: its Hub Gallery is a dedicated space with a monthly changing program that supports and showcases local artists. Throughout the year, the gallery also offers artist talks, workshops, tours and family-friendly activities; individual offerings vary.

Caboolture Historical Village adds to this local history with more than 110,000 restored historic objects in over 70 buildings across a twelve-acre site styled as a pioneer village. A historic street with a post office, barber shop, butcher shop and general store brings aspects of everyday life in the past to life. Demonstrations of traditional skills such as blacksmithing and woodworking are also part of the experience.

Water Activities and Family Experiences

Settlement Cove Lagoon in Redcliffe offers several specific water and play facilities. The partly shaded children’s pool has mushroom- and gecko-shaped water features; nearby are a playground with swings and a slide. Facilities also include accessible paths, water entry ramps and a beach wheelchair. If you rely on a particular facility, check its current availability before travelling.

Mill Water Park in Petrie has a 24-metre flying fox, an eight-metre-high climbing tower, interactive fountains, shallow splash areas and a tipping-bucket splash feature. It also has LED light fountains and a choreographed water and light show at night; specific show times are not provided. The park is free to use and open to everyone. Check current visitor information before your visit.

Trails, Nature and Excursions

There are routes to suit different plans: the Moreton Bay Cycleway runs eleven kilometres from Scarborough Beach to the Ted Smout Memorial Bridge. The return trip is 22 kilometres, with no intersections or traffic lights along the route. A different option is the approximately 150-kilometre cycle route from Bribie Island to Redland Bay, which includes coastal paths, lookouts and road sections. On Bribie Island, the Bicentennial Trails form a 3.8-kilometre loop. The Banksia, Palm Grove and Melaleuca branches pass through eucalypt forests, paperbark wetlands and Wallum heathlands. Along the way, you may spot birds such as rainbow bee-eaters, red-backed fairywrens and eastern yellow-tailed black cockatoos.

At Bribie Island National Park and Recreation Area, you can go boating or kayaking on the Pumicestone Passage, fish and catch crabs. Picnic areas are available at Lighthouse Reach and Lions Park. Camping has specific access conditions: campsites, including Mission Point, can only be reached by four-wheel-drive vehicles; permits are required for camping and vehicle access. Check current official park information before setting out.

Moreton Bay Marine Park encompasses offshore reefs, numerous islands, internationally significant wetlands, seagrass meadows and sandy beaches. It can be accessed on foot along the shoreline, as well as by private boat, public ferry, commercial passenger vessels and tourism operators from coastal towns between Caloundra and Runaway Bay. Further inland, Woodford Folk Festival takes place every year for six days and six nights, from 27 December to 1 January. The program includes music, dance, theatre, films, comedy, workshops and a children’s festival, among other things. If you are planning a trip over the New Year, check the dates for that year’s festival.

When choosing a location for your holiday rental, your travel group’s interests can help guide your decision: museums and local history, water activities, or cycling and walking trails each point to a different base. Focus your search on the experiences you actually plan to enjoy.

Discover More Destinations

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