Fun things to do in State of Queensland

Hello,

I currently live on the gold cold and if your wanting to see the reef definatly travel up there! I have been there a couple times and it is worth it!
I would have loved to snorkel in the reef, except I am horrified of the open water.
So an alternative is to do a scenic flight. I done my scenic flight with this company and they were really great. The poilot knew what he was saying and we got to see Whitehaven, heart reef and many others!

http://www.gslaviation.com.au/

Follow the DUGONG!...........The Brown tourist sign with the Dugong symbol on it.
This is a 78km drive that I have done in whole and in parts many times, and is one that has a lot of variety. It is well signposted with Tourist signs, and is easy to follow.

You can reach the Southern Moreton Bay Tourist Drive from Gateway Motorway in the north or Pacific Motorway in the south.

This is a brief guide.......
Coming from Brisbane, the 1st point of interest is the historical fort at Lytton, maybe your 1st stop, if not, perhaps a walk on the mangrove boardwalk in Wynnum.
Manly, no, we are not in Sydney, but in Brisbane, and Manly is by the Ocean here too, it has a nice Marina, walks, Markets, and outdoor Cafes, popular on Sundays.

Wellington Point is a favourite weekend picnic and fishing spot with its picturesque wooden jetty and playground. At low tide, you can walk from the shore across to King Island.

Ormiston, and here is historic Ormiston House. It is open for inspections and Devonshire teas on Sundays from noon to 4pm between March and November. In the same street, is small St Andrew’s Church (1868), a cutie!
Beckwith Street Conservation Reserve is just here too, this is where hopefully, you will see Koala's.
We then move onto Cleveland where I visit Art Galleries and Museums, before moving onto
Victoria Point. Victoria Point is where you catch the ferry to Coochiemudlo Island. It is just a short cross-water trip.

Want to stay on the mainland, well explore the Eprapah Environmental Centre (Colburn Avenue), Egret Colony Wetlands and Point Halloran Conservation Area (Orana Street).

Nearing the end of the drive, I finish at the beautiful Sirromet Winery at Mt. Cotton. Another area where you may see Koala's, is the Venman Bushland National Park which has walking trails, picnic tables and wood barbeques.

The Southern Moreton Bay Tourist Drive exits at the Pacific Motorway. It is 50km to the Gold Coast from there.

For a lot more details, see my BRISBANE OFF THE BEATEN TRACK, By clicking on page 2, it will take you for an overview of the ride.

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It is Spring and you hear some very noisy birds up in the trees. Next minute you see some of them fall to the ground, staggering about as if they were drunk. Well you are right.
They will probably be a type parrot drinking nectar or feasting on fermented fruit. And they are intoxicated. I have read elsewhere they are known as "pissed parrots"

When the alcohol wears off they usually fly away unharmed. READ MORE

photos from website

My earliest memory of Lone Pine is walking precariously on the edge of the jetty and falling in to the Brisbane River. So most of the day was spent getting various parts of my clothing dry bit by bit as I lay in the sun.

In those days" everybody" went to Lone Pine by ferry. There would have been a road in but no doubt it was rough. You can still go there by ferry but everything has come much closer to Lone Pine today.

If you want to see koalas this is a good place to go. By the way they are NOT "koala bears". Koalas are mammals...bears are not. Besides koalas there are possums and echidnas and kangaroos and more.

If you drive there is free parking , barbecue and picnic areas. Of corse there is a gift shop , toilets, and a cafe

There are tours which include Lone Pine 1300 360 776 and more. Check with tourist office in Queen St Brisbane.

There are buses ..one from near the Casino Bus 430 and more

And my "old friend" the boat cruise from Cultural Centre Pontoon (Southbank) Ph 1300 729 742

Open every day (Anzac Day from 1.30 pm )

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This walk could take 4 hours. It is about 12k there and back . Begin on a track from the Coolum car park towards the boardwalk. Continue north along boardwalk till you pass the Surf Lifesavers Club and then on to beach. You will come to Black Coffee Rocks a few hundred metres up the beach.

Now watch for the small sign directing you to Emu mountain. Up you go. You will go up and down the same track to return to Coolum Beach.

After this adventure enjoy a coffee at one of the funky coffee shops. You will be ready for it.

Of course you will have taken water, a hat, and walking shoes , yes?

JUST CHECK IN TO TOURIST INFO CENTRE FOR SPECIFIC DETAILS. THE CENTRE IS RIGHT THERE>

Another way to mountain
This trig point(survey point) is best accessed off a trail on Havana Road. It's a nice gradual climb to the top. A sign at the base of the trail provides some information about Emu Mountain, including how it got its name: "In bygone days, emus were known to live on these mountain slopes and shrubby heathlands. Emus no longer live here, but the name remains"(from Trigger sites)

As we do not have a "Sunshine Coast " area in VT the Qld page seemed the better choice this time.

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This area was once cleared for a timber mill but is now the entrance to some wonderful walking tracks through the rainforest. It was the first national park declared on the D'Aguilar Range.

It is a great place for a picnic, BBQ (wood provided) and rainforest walks of differing lengths. There are tables and toilets and tapped water. However ther water must be treated before drinking. Boiling for a cup of tea or coffee is fine.

There is a magnificent example of a Bunya Pine tree in the picnic area. On the walks you may see native rats, pademelons, scrub turkeys and species of native birds.

This area is located just past the local township when coming from Brisbane via Samford.

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Mount Glorious is part of the D'Aguilar Range approximately 30 km north west of Brisbane accessed via Samford. It is actually a suburb in the Moreton Bay region.

The forest that surrounds the mountain village is part of Brisbane Forest Park and the D'Aguilar National Park. Other mountains in the D'Aguilar Range include Mount Nebo, Mount Pleasant and Mount Mee. The peak is approximately 599 m above sea level.

Mt Glorious is a favourite for day trips from Brisbane and surrounds. There are a selection of great walking tracks through the rainforest (mostly grade two), some spectacular views to be had over the Samford Valley and some great places for coffee and a meal. Weekends are extremely popular - especially with motor biking groups.

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The museum was opened on 20 April 1996. It is located in Mitchell Street and is only a short walk from the centre of town. It is housed in the former Nambour State School building.

Rooms in the building are dedicated to different home themes in history and other areas are set aside for the history of the Moreton Central Sugar Mill, the Nambour General Hospital and War Memories.