There’s plenty to see and do in and around Redcliffe so it is definitely worth it to visit Redcliffe. In fact, there’s at least 17 reasons to visit Redcliffe that we can think of. Take a stroll through Bee Gees Way, cool off in the Settlement Cove Lagoon right beside the water’s edge, enjoy a meal at one of the many cafes or restaurants, check out the Sunday Markets or visit any one of the beaches on the Peninsula. You can go skydiving, whale watching all from Redcliffe which is just under 40kms from the city of Brisbane.
Redcliffe is part of the Redcliffe Peninsula which is located just north-north-east of the Brisbane CBD.
Do you know how Redcliffe got it’s name? The name originates from ‘Red Cliff Point” named by Matthew Flinders due to the red cliffs at Woody Point which is an obvious choice when you think about it.
From Redcliffe on a clear day, you can take in the magnificent views across Moreton Bay and distinctly see the huge sand hills on Moreton Island.
17 Reasons why you should Visit Redcliffe
1. Bee Gees Way
The Bee Gees Way has proven to be a popular attraction for Redcliffe over the last 6 years. The first stage of the 70 metre walkway which runs from Redcliffe Parade through to Sutton Street was unveiled in 2013. On an even more spectacular scale, Barry Gibb personally attended the Grand Opening of Stage 2 in 2015!
The walkway features more than 60 captioned photos and 13 album covers from their incredible career which spanned 4 decades. There’s also a 5.3 square metre video screen showing exclusive interviews with Barry Gibb. They also play old home movie footage on the big screen along with video clips of many of their songs. So as you stroll down this awesome musical monument, you can also take in the 70 metre mural showcasing artwork of Barry, Robin, Maurice and Any Gibb whilst listening to their hit music in the background.
Bee Gees Way – 70metre walkway runs from Redcliffe Parade through to Sutton Street
Be like us and the many thousands of others and be sure to have your photo with either of the life-sized bronze statues or both! There’s one when the Gibb brothers were young barefoot boys and the other one commemorating the band as adults when they were at the peak of their career.
Adele posing for a photo with the Bee Gees
#beegees
Time your visit in the evening and you can also experience the fabulous light shows which are set to three of the Bee Gees greatest hits – “Staying Alive”, “Night Fever” and “How Deep is Your Love”. The light shows run every night on the half hour from 7pm through to 9.30pm.
Entry to this amazing outdoor musical tribute is FREE and a must see for Bee Gees fans and music enthusiasts in general. The walkway honours the most famous young Redcliffe residents of the 50’s. Who would of thought way back then that the Gibb brothers would go on to become one of the world’s best-selling bands of all time.
Bee Gees Trivia
Do you know how the Bee Gees began?
The Bee Gees were founded in 1958 after their family migrated from Manchester to Redcliffe. They were first discovered while playing at the Redcliffe Speedway which was owned by Bill Goode. Bill Gates who was a DJ from Brisbane’s Radio Station 4BH heard them singing in the interval at the speedway. It was Bill Gates who gave them their first gig on the radio. Coincidentally, it’s the initials of these two men that brought about the name The Bee Gees. Barry the eldest of the Gibb Brothers was only 14 at the time that they signed their first music contract at the kitchen table in their home at Redcliffe.
#beegeesway
2. Settlement Cove Lagoon
Nestled below the main street of Redcliffe at the water’s edge is the Settlement Cove Lagoon. There is an awesome large lagoon-style pool and a separate wading pool with a pool fenced enclosure for little kids. Make a day of it as there are barbecues, picnic shelters and playgrounds. There’s also a bike path that runs alongside the lagoon and the foreshore edge.
The best part – the lagoon is FREE and open to the public 24 hours a day, every day, all year round. So it’s a great place to cool off on a hot Brissie Summer’s day. Most people naturally swim in the Summer months. It’s also the safest time as the Lagoon Lifeguards are on duty from December to March, even on Christmas Day! The hours are usually from 7.00am to 6.00pm Mondays to Sundays. You’ll find however Boxing Day, New Year’s Day, Australia Day and the entire January School Holidays the Lifeguard hours are extended to 8pm. We utilized these extended hours when we spent the afternoon and evening cooling off in the lagoon with friends last New Year’s Day.
How inviting does the water look at Settlement Cove Lagoon
Although Settlement Cove Lagoon is an open facility it does have some restrictions. It’s a ‘no alcohol’ and a ‘smoke free’ zone. Also you are not allowed to take glass into the lagoon area, plus pets are not allowed. You can however walk your dogs on a lead along the pathway on the ocean side of the lagoon. Certified service animals are permitted in all areas except in the actual lagoon water. Best to check the Moreton Bay Regional Council website for a full list of restrictions as these are just the main ones!
3. Redcliffe Jetty
The Redcliffe Jetty is hard to miss as it extends out from the main street of Redcliffe. It has long been an identifiable landmark of the Redcliffe Peninsula but the original jetty was actually not the first pier to be built in Redcliffe. Built in 1885, it was second to the Woody Point Jetty which was constructed in 1881.
In 1922, a second Redcliffe Jetty was built. After the original jetty fell into disrepair, it was more economical to build a completely new structure. This new jetty housed a Halfway House which was later transformed into the Penny Arcade in 1938. Apparently, the Gibb brothers often frequented the entertainment arcade as youngsters growing up in Redcliffe.
By 1961, the second jetty had deteriorated so much it was pulled down and replaced with the third and current Redcliffe Jetty. The current jetty which opened in 1999 extends from what was once the 1930’s Bathing Pavilion. It is great to see that they have retained the heritage features of the old pavilion including drinking fountains, lights and seating.
The third and current Redcliffe Jetty
4. Redcliffe Jetty Markets
Every Sunday the main street of Redcliffe is closed off and is only open to pedestrian traffic. The entire street and entry to the Jetty comes alive. Both sides of the road are filled with a variety of fabulous stalls ranging from quality arts and craft, hot food, fresh fruit and vegies to jewellery, plants and other handmade items.
The Redcliffe Jetty Markets are open from 8am – 2pm. It’s a fun day out for the whole family especially with it being located right on the beach front as well. Plus, the markets are pet friendly!
#gottalovesundays
Redcliffe Jetty Markets are open every Sunday
5. Eating Places in and around Redcliffe
What’s in the Pot? and Mon Komo are two of our favourite places to eat not just in Redcliffe but they are also two places that feature in our 17 Best Eating Places in Brisbane and Gold Coast. For more of our favourites, click on the link here >
https://indefiniteleave.com.au/best-17-places-eat-drink-brisbane-gold-coast/
One of our 17 Reasons to visit Redcliffe is for the array of dining options. Here is our list of just the eating places that we have been to in Redcliffe, Margate, Woody Point and Scarborough over the years. There are many dining options available in the Redcliffe region but these are just a few!
Redcliffe Restaurants & Cafes
MonKomo – A great spot to meet up with friends and family for a drink and lunch or dinner!
What’s in the Pot? – We just love the atmosphere, the authentic Italian food and the warm, good old-fashioned hospitality at What’s in the Pot?. You never know what delicious food will be on the menu as it is cooked fresh daily and the menu changes depending on how many dishes are available on the day/night.
What’s in the Pot?
One of our favourite Redcliffe Restaurants – What’s in the Pot?
The Rustic Olive – As great friends of ours live at Woody Point, we have dined here enjoying the classic Italian food and outdoor dining atmosphere overlooking the beautiful bay.
Preece’s – We have been guilty of stopping in to check out their house-made cakes and slices. Their banoffee’s were to die for but we haven’t noticed them in the cabinet lately 😊
The Coffee Club – Always a great meeting place for lunch, dinner or a coffee/milkshake!
Cactus Jack’s – Another enjoyable dinner out with our friends 😊
Banjo’s Bakery Café – Enjoy Pies, pastries, sandwiches and rolls and of course their sweet treats are always tempting!
Dolphins Leagues Club – We have attended a Wedding Reception at Dolphins and also had dinner in the Bistro.
Margate Restaurants
The Golden Ox – Very popular for Wedding Receptions. We have had dinner there with friends and celebrated special anniversaries there as well.
Scarborough Restaurants & Cafes
Danny’s Café Bar Restaurant – A great place for dinner and catch up with our good friends on one of our visits back to Brisbane while we have been traveling around Oz.
Morgans Seafood – Best fresh and cooked seafood! There is usually a queue but trust us it’s definitely worth the wait!!
Morgans at Scarborough has the freshest seafood
Woody Point Places to Eat
The Belvedere Hotel – We have enjoyed many a Birthday Dinner, Anniversary Celebration or just dinner with our friends or family at the Belvedere!
Café Apre – Their Big Breakfast is delicious and an absolute bargain at $9.99!!
6. Where to Stay at Redcliffe
There are a range of different types of accommodation in Redcliffe from Hotels to Caravan Parks to Showgrounds.
Oaks Mon Komo
We checked into Mon Komo for a night before we left on our adventure back in Feb 2016! We were utterly exhausted from packing up the house ready for rental and moving everything that wasn’t coming with us in the Motorhome, into Storage. It’s a shame we didn’t get to enjoy it more.
Oaks Mon Komo
The Sebel Brisbane Margate Beach
With a Rooftop pool, a restaurant, stunning bay views and beautiful bay breezes, The Sebel at Margate would be a great option if you are looking for Redcliffe accommodation. It is only 25 mins from Brisbane Airport and 40 mins from the Brisbane CBD. Good friends who live nearby have dined many a time at the restaurant which faces the beach!
Scarborough Holiday Village
The Scarborough Holiday Village has absolute water frontage therefore you can enjoy the fabulous bay breezes from beautiful Moreton Bay. It overlooks the magnificent Moreton Island and is nestled between parkland and the Yacht Club.
The ever-popular Sea Salt & Vine is located right on the doorstep of the Scarborough Holiday Village and is open 7 days from 7am – 4pm with live entertainment on weekends!
We have just recently stayed at this perfectly located Holiday Park and it has proven to be a very good option for us anytime we are back in Brisbane.
Scarborough Holiday Village
Redcliffe Showgrounds
Like the Pine Rivers Showgrounds at Lawnton and the Dayboro Showgrounds, the Redcliffe Showgrounds opens up out of show season for RV Camping. Outside of the Redcliffe Show which is held each year at the end of June, the Showgrounds are a popular short-term option for people with caravans or motorhomes who are stopping off in Brisbane on their travels.
Bells Caravan Park
The Bells Caravan Park at Woody Point is located right on the Esplanade overlooking the water but the front sites reportedly get a lot of road noise.
7. Beaches in the Redcliffe Region
As Redcliffe is on the Peninsula it is surrounded by a number of little beaches. Although the sand is a little gritty and more of a golden reddish colour, these beaches are close to Brisbane’s doorstep and one of our 17 reasons to visit Redcliffe. Being so close and handy, any of the beaches are great for beating the Brisbane heat. Don’t bother heading to Redcliffe for a surf as usually there are literally only ripples in the water but this makes the beaches ideal for kids to play and swim.
Bells Beach
Bells Beach is opposite the Bells Caravan Park next to Pelican Park before Woody Point and is a very popular spot for jet-skiers, SUPs and kite-surfers. Look up as you will often see skydivers coming in for a landing on the beach!
Bells Beach past Pelican Park is popular for water sports
Clontarf Beach
Clontarf Beach runs from the Houghton Highway Bridge down to Pelican Park and is the first beach you immediately come to as you drive off the bridge onto the Redcliffe Peninsula. It is also where you’ll find the Aqua Splash Redcliffe over the Summer School Holidays.
Margate Beach
Margate Beach is the largest of the Redcliffe Beaches and stretches 2kms from Scotts Point to Suttons Beach. You’ll often find people of all ages using the the shared boardwalk which is lined by beautiful Norfolk Pines, to go for a walk or cycle. Also there’s a number of white pavilions dotted along the foreshore that provide shelter and a place to stop and admire the beach and Moreton Bay.
Margate Beach is the largest Beach on the Redcliffe Peninsula
Queens Beach
Queens Beach is the only off-leash dog beach in Redcliffe. The beach only becomes an off-leach area at certain hours of the day – before 8am and after 4pm. Queens Beach is located between Scarborough and Osbourne Point and has a small sand boat ramp.
Redcliffe Beach
Right in the heart of Redcliffe is the Redcliffe Beach and it stretches either side of the Redcliffe Jetty. Although it is not highly regarded as a swimming beach, it is great to throw a line in off the jetty or to just cool off in the water on a hot day.
Scarborough Beach
Scarborough Beach is very popular for families. The main attraction is Pirate Park, a fabulous railway and pirate themed playground which is fenced to keep the kids in! It also has huge climbing trees which our boys loved when they were young! Recently they have added a separate fenced Jumping Pillow a little further along Scarborough Beach.
Pine Tree Lined Scarborough Beach
Scotts Point
Scotts Point is in Woody Point and is accessed from the most southern end of Margate Beach. There is a nice shaded park high on the hill overlooking the beach and the rocky outcrop. The Scotts Point Bathing Pavilion which was built in 1937 being the most prominent feature.
The historical Scotts Pt Bathing Pavilion
Suttons Beach
Suttons Beach is the only patrolled beach in and around Brisbane. It’s also one of the best beaches at Redcliffe for swimming. You can take a stroll along the walkway right along the waterfront from Suttons Beach to Settlement Cove and then up to the main street of Redcliffe via the Boardwalk. Plus, there’s a shaded playground and a number of barbecues and picnic shelters at the Margate end of Suttons Beach.
Woody Point
Woody Point has very little beach but right beside the beach and water front is Crockatt Park. It has an undercover playground and a large covered picnic shelter with barbecues. Also, directly opposite is the Belvedere Hotel and a little further along you can fish off the Woody Point Jetty.
8. Redcliffe Weather
We always believe the temperature is slightly lower at Redcliffe due to the beautiful bay breezes coming directly off Moreton Bay. So whenever we have visited our good friends at Woody Point, it always seems cooler than it is at our home in the northern suburbs of Brissie.
9. Fishing at Redcliffe
A portion of the old Hornibrook Bridge remains at each end as a fishing platform. Often bream, flathead, chopper tailor, whiting and school jewfish are caught at this prime and easily accessible Redcliffe fishing spot. The Ted Smout Memorial Bridge also has a 10m by 50m fishing platform. Both sand and mud crabs are often caught in the Pine River channels as well.
The Redcliffe Jetty and jetty at Woody Point are also popular land based spots to fish from. The rock walls at the entrance to the Newport canals can also be good for fishing and can easily be accessed if you don’t have a boat. Also people just fish off the beach at Scarborough, Redcliffe and Margate.
If you are heading out for a fish around Redcliffe, be sure to know where the green zones are located. Click here for a Fishing Green Zone Map for the Moreton Bay region.
There is also a reef off Scarborough so it’s popular for boaties! If only we had a boat lol 🙂
Scarborough Boat Ramp
10. Whale Watching Tours Depart from Redcliffe
The Whale Watching season usually starts in June-July and continues through to November. So if you’re keen to go whale watching and you don’t want to travel far from Brisbane, you’re in luck as tours depart from Redcliffe. With Brisbane Whale Watching Tours, you are guaranteed whale sightings. Their ‘MV Eye Spy’ is Brisbane’s only purpose-built whale watching vessel. It’s Eco accredited, has 6 spacious viewing decks and also offers wheelchair access.
The ‘MV Eye Spy’ departs daily from the Redcliffe Jetty at 10.00am and returns at approx. 2.30pm. The tour also includes a delicious fresh buffet lunch, yummm!
Book your Brisbane Whale Watching Experience here>
https://indefiniteleave.experienceoz.com.au/en/brisbane/whale-watching/brisbane-whale-watching-cruises/whale-watch-including-lunch-ex-redcliffe-self-drive
Whale Watching tours depart from the Redcliffe Jetty during Whale season
11. Redcliffe Annual Events
Redcliffe Kitefest
Each year Redcliffe hosts a North Brisbane Kite Festival which is held over two days at Pelican Park at Clontarf. Apart from the fun and excitement of the kites of all shapes, colours and sizes filling the skies, there’s kite making workshops, shows, live music, roving entertainers and markets.
Jetty 2 Jetty Fun Run
Each year thousands of people take part in the Jetty 2 Jetty Fun Run which is the most scenic fun run in Queensland. You don’t have to be a professional marathon runner to enter as they cater for all levels of fitness. So you can opt to run, walk for a cause, or simply take a pleasant stroll at your own pace along the Redcliffe waterfront. There are also 4 distances to choose from – 3km, 5km, 10km and the 21.1km event. All events start and finish at Pelican Park in Clontarf.
12. Redcliffe Wind Sculpture
OPTO is the moving masterpiece of sculptor Phil Price. The two bright orange rings opposite Bee Gees Way are made of steel and carbon fibre. The kinetic rings are designed so that they move in relation to the environment. They can rotate, spin and pass over one another in response to the breeze coming off Moreton Bay. They are truly amazing to see when they are rotating in the wind!
Opto Sculpture opposite Bee Gees Way
13. Redcliffe Museum
The Redcliffe Museum is located on Anzac Avenue just up from Oxley Avenue. It is open Tuesdays to Saturdays from 10am – 4pm; 10am – 3pm on Sundays but closed on Mondays.
Entry is FREE!
The museum features films from Redcliffe’s early days. It displays old and modern-day photos as well as highlighting the history of seaside holidays over the years. Plus, they also hold exhibitions and workshops in the museum so great for the kids and adults.
14. HMQS Gayundah
The rusted remains of the HMQS Gayundah Wreck are clearly visible at the base of the cliffs at Woody Point just around the point from the jetty and the popular Belvedere Hotel.
The HMQS Gayundah, built in 1884, first operated as a flat-iron gunboat by the Queensland Maritime Defence Force. Later it was part of the Royal Australia Navy before being decommissioned in 1921. She then served as a sand and gravel barge in Brisbane until the 1950’s. Ultimately in 1958 after being scrapped, she was purposely run aground at Woody Point so as to serve as a breakwater structure to prevent soil erosion.
The HMQS Gayundah was purposely sunk at Woody Point to act as a breakwater wall
A drone’s view of the HMQS Gayundah
15. Redcliffe Botanic Gardens
The Redcliffe Botanic Gardens offers a peaceful and shady place to escape right in the heart of Redcliffe. There’s heaps to see including a Herb Garden with over 500 different species, a water feature, flower gardens, native plants, a rainforest with over 250 rainforest species as well as it’s home to more than 1000 bats! There’s a number of walkways throughout the gardens, an amphitheatre, an open grassed area and drinking fountain. Unfortunately dogs are not permitted.
It’s a great spot for picnics and birthday celebrations as well with shelters and seating provided around the gardens. Also it is popular place for weddings, however if you are planning an event or wedding you will need to make a booking through the Moreton Bay Regional Council.
Entry to the gardens is FREE! The gardens are open between 6am and 6pm, seven days a week and are wheelchair accessible.
16. Redcliffe Inflatable Water Park
Redcliffe Aqua Splash are back for their second Summer season at Pelican Park at Clontarf. You can’t miss it! As soon as you come off the Hornibrook Bridge, you can see Redcliffe’s amazing inflatable Water Park! You can splash into Summer 7 days from 9am – 7pm during each season.
So if you are looking for a fun way to keep cool and or entertain the kids of all ages, be sure to check out the Redcliffe Aqua Splash Inflatable Water Park. It’s just one of the 17 reasons to visit Redcliffe especially over the school holidays!
Aqua Splash Redcliffe Inflatable Water Park at Clontarf
17. Skydiving
The last of our 17 Reasons to visit Redcliffe but certainly not least. You can escape the hustle and bustle of Brisbane and get your adrenaline going by skydiving on the peninsula. Skydiving at Redcliffe provides the best city and coastal views.
If you want to experience Australia’s highest skydive, then Redcliffe is the place to do it! You’ll soar to heights of up to 15,000ft, before taking the huge plunge. After a thrilling 60 seconds of free fall, your parachute opens, then you can get your breath back and start to relax and really enjoy the experience. While you’re floating down you’ll be able to soak in the views of the Brisbane city skyline as well as Moreton Island, before touching down on the beach at Redcliffe.
Book your Redcliffe Skydiving Experience here > https://indefiniteleave.experienceoz.com.au/en/brisbane/skydiving-brisbane/brisbane-15-000ft-tandem-skydive
Skydivers coming in for a beach landing at Clontarf
We have witnessed skydivers coming in for a landing on the beach at Clontarf many a time. When Kev bravely did his skydive 15 years ago, a gift given to him for his 40th Birthday by his good mate, Kev landed on the beach at Scarborough. This was an enormous challenge for Kev as he has always been scared of heights!
Here is the link so you can check out Kev’s Skydive
How to get to Redcliffe
By Car
You can head northbound across Bramble Bay on the Houghton Bridge from Brighton to Clontarf. The adjacent Ted Smout Memorial Bridge provides the southbound lanes from Clontarf back over to Brighton. The Houghton Highway is a 2.74km reinforced concrete viaduct. Up until 2013, these two bridges were equally the second longest bridges in the country.
Both Kev and Adele had a set of grandparents who funnily enough lived only streets apart at Margate/Woody Point. So both us clearly remember the old Hornibrook Bridge and the days of the toll.
A portion of the old Hornibrook Bridge at each end has been retained as a Fishing Platform
Another route is to travel along Anzac Ave from Petrie through Kallangur, North Lakes, Mango Hill, Rothwell, Kippa-Ring right into Redcliffe.
By Bus
Buses run from the Sandgate Bus Station to Redcliffe traveling through the suburbs of Brighton, Clontarf, Woody Point, Margate, Redcliffe, Scarborough, Redcliffe, Kippa-Ring back to Clontarf.
Also the new Hornibrook Bus Line services Chermside to Redcliffe with routes around the peninsula including to and from the Railway stations at Rothwell and Kippa-Ring.
By Train
Up until October 2016, because there was no train service to Redcliffe, the only public transport to the Peninsula was by bus. In recent years, the train line has been extended so the new Redcliffe Train Line now runs from Petrie right through to Kippa-Ring.
Have you visited Redcliffe? Do you have you any other points of interest to add to our 17 Reasons to visit Redcliffe?
Safe travels
Kev & Adele
Indefinite Leave
You may also enjoy reading:
21 Best Things to do in and around Brisbane
Our Best Travel Tips
Tent Camping on Fraser & Moreton Island
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