The Brisbane Coast Has Activities For All
Brisbane may have relaxed beach feel, but the city is actually set in off the coast. Head to suburbs like Redcliffe and Manly to soak up beautiful and serene atmosphere of Moreton Bay.
Redcliffe: From Queenslands first European settlement (1824), to a thriving seaside city, Redcliffe is only a 30 minute drive from Brisbane. Part of the attraction to Redcliffe is the relaxed lifestyle, golden beaches, and parks. This peninsula sticks out into Moreton Bay, and from the top of the volcanic cliffs you can take in the views of the islands from across the bay.
Follow one of the heritage trails to see historic buildings. Redcliffs beaches are perfect for swimming and fishing from Redcliffe Jetty is a popular local pastime. For a colourful trip back to childhood, visit Pelican Park on the second and fourth Sunday of each month when the Queensland Kite Flyers Society have kite-flying days (In May Redcliffe hosts the QKS Redcliffe Kite Fest, a spectacular display of all things kite). If watching wildlife is more your thing, tours depart from Redcliffe to watch the humpback whales migrate past the coast in the winter months.
Alma Park Zoo: Set in award winning rainforest gardens, the zoo is 28 kilometers north of the city, inland from Redcliffe. It features both Australian and exotic animals and offer many opportunities for interaction. You can touch koalas, feed kangaroos and deer in the walk-through enclosures and see animals ranging from wombats to camels and monkeys. There are also lots of pretty spots for a picnic.
Wynnum-Manly: This is an attractive coastal area, located on 15 kilometres east of the city. If you are interested in wildlife, Pandanus Beach is the place for you to visit, just watch out fro fish and migrating birds. There is a boardwalk along the shore for you to enjoy a leisurely walk, or you can hire a bike and ride a 5 kilometre esplanade from Manly to Lota. If you want a glimpse of some beautiful yacht visit the Manly Boat Harbour, you can also hire boats for fishing and sailing while you are there, or book a tour to the island of St. Helena where the structures of prison life still remain from back in 1867-1932.
Wynnum-Manly’s neighboring suburbs have a history dating back to the 1860s and boast some interesting historic sights. North of Wynnum, at the mouth of the Brisbane River, is the 19th century Fort Lytoon, surrounded by a moat. A museum at the fort (open only on Sundays and public holidays) interprets Queenslands military and social history from 1879. Further north is the Port of Brisbane which offers public tours and includes an informative visitor centre.
