General, Brisbane

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STOP 10 ON THE NORTH MORETON BAY TOURIST DRIVE

As we turn at the traffic lights, it is only a short distance to Pelican Park situated beside the Ocean.

The Redcliffe Visitor Information Centre is located in Pelican Park.
Pelican Park..... yes there are Pelicans that come to be fed at 10am daily.

This popular park also has a half -court basketball court and is a popular spot for kite flying, kite surfing and Jet skiing at Bells Beach. There are plenty of barbeques, covered picnic tables, play equipment, bikeways, toilets & disabled access and a boat ramp.
What is good here, the people in wheelchairs haven't been forgotten. The park has a "Liberty Swing" for people in electric or standard type wheelchairs. Keys to the liberty swing are available from the information booth located just in front of the playground.

The other attraction is Kite flying. The Redcliffe Kite Club comes here every first and third Sunday of each month, from 12pm midday to 4pm. You can bring your own Kite.
Each year in May, they hold a KITEFEST. ADMISSION IS FREE. Fun to see all the different styles of Kites being flown. The website gives details on the 2012 event.

LOCATION....Hornibrook Esplanade, Clontarf

The rest of the reviews for the North Moreton Bay Tourist Route can be read on the REDCLIFFE PAGE

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We are leaving Sandgate and following Flinders Parade alongside the seaside to the suburb of Brighton.
Not far from Sandgate is where the Kite Surfers gather. There always seems to be plenty of wind in this area, and always Kite surfers, wow! can they go and can they get airborne! Well worth stopping and watching for a while.

At the Deagon Deviation road, we turn right at the traffic lights and onto the Houghton Highway which takes us across Bramble Bay.
The old Hornibrook Bridge was recently demolished, and all that stands is a small area each end for fishing and the art-deco concrete abutment arches which frame the entry and exit approaches.

When it was built in October 1935, it was the longest bridge in Australia, spanning 2,686 metres across the water between Sandgate and Clontarf on Redcliffe Peninsula.
In the past Redcliffe had been isolated from Greater Brisbane, with the only access being a around-about trip by horse, motor car, bus or by steamer.
In 1935 Tolls costing 1/- (one shilling) for cars and utility trucks and if you carried more than 6 passengers an additional 3d for each person. As you can imagine, Redcliffe Peninsula took off and now its a small city!
Once across the Bridge, we turn right at the traffic lights and make our way to our next stop.

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STOP 8 ON THE NORTH MORETON BAY TOURIST DRIVE

Time to leave the Beach behind and follow the "Dugong" into Sandgate's main centre. Historic Sandgate, since 1853 has been known as one of Brisbane's most picturesque seaside villages. By 1858, Sandgate had its first hotel and in 1874 its first school.

Driving down the hill and into the centre was quite a surprise!~
I was quite taken back by the old Town Hall, it really looked like one you may find in Europe. This old memorial style hall is heritage listed. It was being renovated which was nice to see.

As it was the weekend, I wasn't able to go inside, so I walked across the pedestrian crossing and went into the Park. This a lovely park, one I could imagine that is popular during the week for eating lunch. In the centre was the War Memorial, and to one side was a Rotunda.

Across the road, was the old Sandgate Post office which is now a Bar & Grill, quite an attractive building. There were many outdoor Cafes where on a nice day like it was, there were quite a few people enjoying the afternoon.
Altogether, I was quite impressed with Sandgate.

The Memorial park is at the roundabout in Bowser Street, Brighton Road, Seymour Street, Sandgate
The other buildings surround the Park.

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STOP 6 ON THE NORTH MORETON BAY TOUR

This is a beaut waterfront walk of around 2-2.5km return, easy walking as this has recently been paved. The walk commences from the intersection of Friday St and Allpass Parade. Along the way is the historical Shorncliffe Pier which dates to 1872. It was formerly known as Sandgate Pier, has white timber rails and colonial lamps. Near the jetty, is more nice paving and new Toilets/Change rooms.

Another point of interest along the walk is Musgrave House at no 8 Allpass Parade. The house was built in 1884 as the Lady Musgrave Sanitorium for Sick Children. At that time, 50% of children died before reaching 5 yrs of age.

If the short walk isn't enough, it can be combined with the Sandgate walk which is approx 6kms.

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STOP 5 ON THE NORTH MORETON BAY TOURIST ROUTE IS AT LOWER MOORA PARK

From the Sandgate Yacht Club, we have driven along past the Sandgate Golf club and along Allpass Parade, this leads into Shorncliffe Parade and Park Parade. These roads follow the Ocean, all there is between you and the ocean is 19th century Lower Moora Park. This is quite a large, green grassed Park beside a little bay. The area is shaded by cotton trees, there are rock pools, Rotunda's, modern picnic shelters, BBQs, Jetty and a playground featuring timber forts with colourful animal wood carvings and sea creature sculptures in the sand. Free Toilets are located here also.
As you could imagine, this park is very popular on the weekends.

We drove to the top of the hill and stopped for a look. I noticed along here, the houses are old and rather grand, no wonder, what a view of the sea they have!
From here, I had a good view of Moreton Bay and the Port of Brisbane where all the Cargo ships berth. I was happy!

Back in the Car again and on our way to our next stop on the tour

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THIS IS STOP 4 ON THE NORTH MORETON BAY TOURIST DRIVE

Continuing on from Deagon, the "Dugong" now takes us to Cabbage Tree Creek. The road is aptly named "Sinbad" Street, for along the Creek many Fishing Trawlers are moored. They range from small to quite large, all are used to catch Prawns.
I am really not sure if this is still allowed to happen, but on Friday afternoons and Saturday mornings you were able to buy direct from the Fishermen.
It is rather pretty looking down the calm waters of the creek and seeing the reflections of the Boats.

Just a little further along this street, we came to the Sandgate Yacht club, this time Yacht's were moored .

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NUMBER 3

We are on the road again, and driving past the Deagon Racecourse. This is not a Racecourse for the public to come to, but is a full time training facility and head quarters of Racing Queensland Limited. It was established 110 years ago, and was then used as a private Racetrack, right up to November, 1941. Deagon is now owned by Racing Queensland Limited. Deagon was named after William Deagon who was Mayor of Sandgate in the late 1800s.
The area of Deagon is quite rich in Aboriginal history.

As this area is quite old, so are the homes. The "Corner Store" which in many suburbs has disappeared, is still alive and well in the Deagon area. These are a part of Australian history.
Giant Moreton Bay Fig Tree's line many of the streets, making it quite pleasant on a warm Summer's day.

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We are travellilng along Eagle Terrace, high above the ocean. It is along here where the wealthy built lovely old Queenslander homes.
One building that reallly caught my eye, was the old Masonic Hall. This historic building was built in 1889. Today, it has been given a new lease of life. Not only can you enjoy Breakfast and Lunch or High Tea here, but also home-made Fudge which is made on the premises.
Behind the Dining room, is a retail area where high quality china and jewellery and more is for sale.
Quite a unique Restaurant!

If you want to know more, check out the website

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The WETLANDS IS STOP ON THE NORTH MORETON BAY TOURIST ROUTE 2

The Boondall Wetlands are Brisbane’s largest remaining wetlands, surprisingly, they are located only 15km from the centre of the Brisbane.
The Wetlands have been protected by the Council as it is crucial to Moreton Bay’s fishing industry.
The Reserve includes tidal sandflats, mangroves, salt marshes and freshwater wetlands - vital habitats for birds, fish and other animal plant life.

The area is roughly bounded by the Gateway Arterial Road, Nudgee Road, Moreton Bay and Cabbage Tree Creek.
Access to the area is by 3 locations:-

* The Boondall Wetlands Information Centre - located just off the Gateway Arterial Road (Stanworth Rd intersection), Exit 117, the same as for the Boondall entertainment centre.
* The bike track starting just North of the Nudgee Waste Transfer Station (Nudgee Road) Nudgee,
* The mangrove boardwalk and bird hide at the end of O’Quinn St, Nudgee Beach. This is the Boardwalk that I did. As it happened, the tide was out, so you could easily see all the crab holes. The walk is quite pleasant, even though the day was hot. The Mangroves give shade, and there are plenty of seats along the way to stop for a rest!

There are Bikeways, and you can also go canoeing along Kedron Brook, Nudgee Creek, Nundah Creek and Cabbage Tree Creek.
There looked to be plenty of water in the creek even at low tide.

1st stop on the NORTH MORETON BAY TOURIST DRIVE.

Well, not much to see from the outside, at least I know how to reach here by car if I want to see a show.
I actually have been here on several occasions, once to see a Singer, then a Cultural show, and World Class Netball competition in the Sports Arena. It is here were Entertainers and Singers from around the World hold their concerts. If you want to know what is on, or to book, see seating arrangements, find out how to get here, you will find it all on the website.
There is a Restaurant if you want to have a meal before the event, and there are food/drink outlets located in the centre.

The Brisbane Entertainment Centre is located in Brisbane's northern suburbs at Boondal, just 16km north of Brisbane’s CBD and 8kms north from the Brisbane Domestic and International airports.
There's onsite car parking available, and the centre can be reached by public transport
CITY - CBD via Sandgate Road OR Gateway Motorway.
(From Gold Coast) via M1, exit onto Gateway Motorway and take exit 117
(From Sunshine Coast) via Bruce Highway, exit onto Gateway Motorway and take exit 117