Brisbane? You Ain’t Seen Nothing Yet.

Published 9:12am 5 May 2020

Once you discover the Moreton Bay region, you’ll wonder what took you so long and why no one else told you about the natural, cultural and all-round awesome area right on Brisbane’s doorstep!

If you think Moreton Bay is just an extension of Brisbane, you’d be wrong. There are so many amazing things to do near Brisbane, in Moreton Region!

The cultural diversity and natural beauty of Moreton Bay

There are plenty of precincts to explore within Moreton Bay, each with its own unique profile and personality.

Bribie Island

Beaches close to Brissy, fabulous fishing, four-wheel drive fun, wicked water sports, natural wonders, art and culture, community connectedness – Bribie is what most of us are looking for in a lifestyle. But even if it’s only for a mini-break or day trip, Bribie Island offers awesome options in spades.

The Bribie Island area includes Banksia Beach, Bellara, Bongaree, Welsby, White Patch, Woorim, Beachmere, Donnybrook, Meldale, Toorbul, Godwin Beach, Ningi and Sandstone. There’s a beach here for every activity from fishing, to surfing and safe toddler swimming. Finish up any activity with fish and chips and ice cream and you’ll find yourself having the perfect date, day with the kids or that elusive day to yourself!

Caboolture

So much more than a stop off, Caboolture is fast becoming a must-visit place in the Moreton Bay region. With its rural lifestyle and proximity to Brisbane, Caboolture has long been popular with tree-changing families looking for a better lifestyle. When you visit the Caboolture region, you can choose from Morayfield, Bellmere, Caboolture South, Moodlu, Rocksberg, Elimbah and Upper Caboolture and find your own favourite pocket of one of Moreton’s best kept secrets.

The Abbey Museum of Art and Archaeology provides a truly unique opportunity to experience a bygone era. Host of the Medieval Festival, visitors from around Australia and the world come every year to celebrate a time when knights ruled and jousting was how disagreements were solved! Held every July, this is one for the whole family.

The Caboolture Historical Village boasts over 70 buildings and 110,000 local museum pieces, while the Caboolture Warplane Museum will delight any military enthusiast. If you love markets you’ll love the iconic Caboolture Markets, held every Sunday. Morayfield is THE place to shop, especially for those ‘big box buys’. Another good spot for some shopping or people watching is Caboolture’s King Street Precinct.

If you haven’t been to Caboolture for a while or you’ve never been, put it on the list of fun places to explore in the Moreton Bay region.

Dayboro

Relax! You’re in Dayboro, the ultimate country getaway and still just a 45-minute drive from Brisbane. Pretty as a picture, a day in Dayboro will feel like a day spent in a postcard with its rolling hills and deep valleys. The D’Aguilar Range and Mt Mee are just to the north and the area itself is full of horses, cows and all things country! The perfect location for a couple’s retreat or THE place to bring the kids to show them a simpler, quieter pace, Dayboro ticks plenty of boxes.

Antique hunters will easily spend a day here trawling the collectibles, while the wine connoisseurs will enjoy a tipple at Ocean View Estates. Dayboro is the perfect place to bring the family on a hot summer’s day for an arvo swim at Lees Road Water Crossing. Or, pack a picnic and head for Juffs Road Water Crossing. There’s also some good four wheel driving to be had. It’s always a great Day-boro!

Hills District

Get back to the bush in the middle of the burbs! The Hills brings both and is well worth checking out. You’ve probably already worked out it’s all about a distinctive hilly landscape, with the suburbs of the Hills District including Ferny Hills, Arana Hills, Everton Hills, Eatons Hill, Bunya and Albany Creek. With plenty of thick bushlands, especially around Arana Hills and Bunya, you’ll find the best of Queensland’s local flora and fauna.

An abundance of parkland, accessible by bike paths and walkways makes the Hills District a great place for fitness and fun. Cool off at the Albany Creek Leisure Centre, which also includes a slide and whirling rapids. You can also get your local history hit at the Brisbane Tram Museum. If retail therapy is more your speed, you’ll find plenty of shopping centres including Arana Hills Plaza and Albany Creek Square.

North Lakes

Speaking of shopping, the relatively new suburb of North Lakes really delivers. With young families in mind, this is a great place for a day trip with the kids and credit cards! The Game On Family Fun Centre is always a hit or for some more grown-up spending, head to the always impressive Westfield North Lakes. Bunnings and IKEA are is also located in North Lakes.

Encompassing Mango Hill, Murrumba Downs and Griffin, the North Lakes region also offers plenty of fabulous free activities. North Lakes Town Park has a playground and plenty of green, open spaces, picnic tables and barbeques. The Osprey House Environment Centre has plenty to see and do, also free of charge.

Redcliffe and Bayside

Welcome to paradise, people! The Redcliffe and Bayside region, which also forms part of the Moreton Bay Region, is steeped in history and has recently enjoyed a rejuvenating facelift. While still maintaining the charm of a sleepy seaside village, the Redcliffe Peninsula has woken up in many areas. Along with Redcliffe, the Bayside region includes Clontarf, Margate, Woody Point, Newport, Kippa-Ring, Rothwell, Scarborough and Deception Bay. If your kids love climbing trees, you can’t miss Scarborough Park with its huge cottonwood trees as well as two playgrounds, picnic tables and cafes right on the Scarborough foreshore. Settlement Cove Lagoon provides the perfect respite from a hot afternoon, with a patrolled swimming area making it the perfect spot for a splash with the kids. Suttons Beach is another great spot for safe swimming in the gentle, lapping water.

Music lovers will enjoy a stroll down Bee Gees Way, where you can learn about the history of the brothers Gibb who called Redcliffe home in their early years. Make it a day of history and pay a visit to the Redcliffe Museum. If you’re at a loose end on a Sunday, the always popular Redcliffe Jetty Markets have a wide range of interesting stalls as well as live entertainment.

Samford

Samford is, quite simply, stunning. A whole world away from Brisbane in just ten minutes, Samford is a luscious, green wonderland at the foot of Mt Nebo. Comprising Samford Village and Samford Valley, this picturesque area will fill your lungs with fresh air and your soul with sunshine. Fill your stomach with an array of amazing food and coffee, with a very buzzy café scene, which surprises many a coffee snob. Stock up on freshness from the Samford Farmers Market every second Saturday and get a fascinating history lesson at the Samford Museum. Come for a day, stay for a week and make sure you enjoy at least one cold one at the Samford Valley Hotel.

Strathpine

Strathpine is an area of contrasts, with its amazing restaurants and family-friendly activities. The Strathpine area includes the suburbs of Bray Park, Brendale, Cashmere, Joyner, Warner and Lawnton. Cashmere borders Lake Samsonvale, which is home to the region’s prettiest forests, while nearby Brendale offers ‘big box’ stores where you’ll find every item imaginable for home renovation. Strathpine also offers some great family-friendly options such as movies, bowling, parks and a play centre for an easy and affordable day out. Strathpine Centre has got you covered for everything you need or want when it comes to shopping. You won’t be the first visitor who wants to live full time in Strathpine!