The best of Bayside living

Just 30 minutes from the heart of Brisbane’s CBD, the beautiful Redlands Coast – commonly known as the ‘Bayside’ – is fast becoming one of South-East Queensland’s most popular places to live and visit.  

As well as literally being the launch point for exploring the southern Moreton Bay Islands, including Minjerribah (Stradbroke Island), the Redlands Coast offers a smorgasbord of things to do from sandy beach walks and mountain biking, to wine tasting and fine dining.

It’s also where you’ll find Endeavour Foundation’s $1.8 million Modern Bayside Prize Home.

And while we’re here, we’re loving getting reacquainted with some of our favourite local spots. So, without further ado, here are our ‘Top Seven’ things to do by the Bay:

1. Explore Wellington Point

Wellington Point Recreation Reserve is a spectacular park at the tip of Wellington Point, surrounded by sparkling turquoise water and offering near 360-degree views of Moreton Bay. Bring a picnic and fire up one of the free barbeques or dine alfresco at the ever-popular Oxley’s on the Bay. There’s also a creative playground for the kids beneath the shade of spectacular Moreton Bay figs. (Don’t be surprised if they are more interested in climbing the trees than the playground.) 

Local tips:

• The point does get very busy on a sunny weekend, so arrive early to be sure to snag a park.
• Oxley’s is a great place to grab a takeaway coffee or an ice-cream.

2 Throw in a line

Wellington Point is home to one of South-East Queensland’s most beautiful timber jetties, which also happens to be one of the most picturesque spots you’ll ever find to throw in a line. If you have some junior anglers, fishing off a jetty is a great way to start out. So, grab some bait and a couple of lines, and see if the fish are biting.

Local tips:

• Bring a yabby pump and, at low tide, you can adventure out onto the mudflats and hunt for your own bait
• If the weather is warm, throw the kids swimmers in so they can have a paddle in the usually calm water beside the jetty. 

3 Walk to King Island

As if by magic, when the tide recedes, the path to King Island is revealed. This iconic, two-kilometre round trip is a Bayside must-do for locals and visitors alike.

At low tide, a sandy causeway acts like a bridge, providing a beautiful walk to the island for young and old.

Measuring just one hectare (or about 2 acres) in size, King Island itself is a protected Conservation Park fringed with mangroves, where you’ll discover sandy paths weaving between coastal native trees and shrubs.

The walk to King Island begins from the Wellington Point Recreation Reserve, so allow enough time to add this adventure to your itinerary when you visit.

Local tips:

• Make sure you check the tide times so that you don’t get stranded with an incoming tide. The best time to go is at low tide, or, to add to the adventure, wade out when the high tide is receding, knowing that you will have an easy wander back at low tide.
• Dogs are allowed to join you on the walk if they are on a leash but they are not permitted onto King Island.
• Take the walk in the late afternoon, and the kids will love seeing thousands of soldier crabs on the march then suddenly burying themselves in the sand as you get closer.

4 Wine and dine Bayside style

Wellington Point Village – the suburb’s leafy Main Road shopping and dining precinct – is home to contemporary cafes and multicultural dining options including Mexican, Italian, Indian, and Chinese.
It’s also just down the road from our gorgeous Bayside Prize Home – winning.

Or pop over to Cleveland for amazing food served with a slice of history. Grab a bite at the famous Grand View Hotel, Queensland’s oldest licensed pub, enjoy fine dining at The Courthouse Restaurant or head out to the point for some seafood at the historic Lighthouse restaurant.

Local tip:

Don’t wait for a special occasion to visit Sirromet Winery at Mount Cotton. Kick back at the Cellar Door any Sunday afternoon for a taste of some award-winning wines, local produce, and live music.

5 Discover a love of paddling

With the waters of the bay protected by the many islands offshore, there’s nowhere better to discover your love of paddling. There’s a canoe and kayak launching point at Wellington Point Recreation Reserve that can be used at high and low tide. Slip your kayak into the water and explore the kilometres of coastline along the Redland Coast.

Local tip:

For a change of scenery, there are endless creeks, canals and mangrove forests to experience. And it’s all right at your paddle-tip.

6 Climb Mount Cotton (Jungalpin/Tungipin)

This 3.5km hike talks your through the Eastern Escarpment Conservation Area to the Summit of Mount Cotton. It’s a steep trek up the out-and-back trail, but the 360-degree views at the top are well worth the thigh burn.  On a clear day you can see out to the islands of Moreton Bay in one direction and Brisbane city in the other.

Local tip:

If you’re keen to give it a go, look for Access 6 off West Mount Cotton Road in Mount Cotton.

7 Imagine moving here for good

While you’re in the neighbourhood, make sure you pay a visit to Endeavour Foundation’s $1.8 million Modern Bayside Prize Home. As the crow flies, this stunning home is just a few hundred metres from the water’s edge. (If you don’t believe us, the sea view from the primary suite is all the proof you need.)

Pick up a ticket in the draw for this stunning, architecturally-designed home and you could even be lucky enough to move here for good!

If you’re keen to drop in you can find opening times and directions here.

Or if you just can’t wait, explore the home and the area now. Watch the video:

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