Brisbane is set in off the coast, despite the relaxed beach feel it gives off. For the beauty and serene atmosphere of Moreton bay suburbs such as Redcliffe and Manly are where you will wan to head.
Redcliffe: This was the first site for European settlement in Queensland, in 1824. Today it is a full established, popular seaside city that is only 30 minutes from Brisbane. Redcliffes laid back life style, golden sand beaches and beautiful parks are only part of what attracts so many here each year. When on Redcliffe, you can travel to the top of the volcanic cliffs and take in some of the most breathtaking views of the islands from across Moreton Bay.
There are heritage trails that you can follow, where you will enjoy the sights of historic buildings. Redcliffe beaches are great for the swimmer in everyone, and if you are more of the fishing kind you can hop onto the Redcliffe Jetty. At Pelican Park, you can enjoy kite flying on the the second and forth Sunday of each month, hosted by the Queensland Kite Flyers Society. If you are interested in looking at wildlife, Redcliffe offers tours where you can watch humpback whales migrate past the coast during the winter.
Alma Park Zoo: Set in award winning rainforest gardens, the zoo is 28 kilometers north of the city, inland from Redcliffe. It features both Australian and exotic animals and offer many opportunities for interaction. You can touch koalas, feed kangaroos and deer in the walk-through enclosures and see animals ranging from wombats to camels and monkeys. There are also lots of pretty spots for a picnic.
Wynnum-Manly: Its hard to believe that this beautiful coastal area is just 15 kilometers east of the city. Pandanus Beach is the largest sandy beach in the Wynnum North Mangrove Circuit is worth a look, especially for wildlife watch out for fish and migrating birds. If you’re feeling active, a boardwalk skirts the foreshore; hire a bike to ride the 5 kilometer esplanade from Manly to Lota. The Manly Boat Harbor is a vista of stunning yachts and charters and hire boats for both fishing and sailing are available. Tours to the island of St Helena also depart from here. This island is two-thirds national park, and served as a penal settlement between 1867 and 1932. Prison life is recalled in the grim structures that remain.
Wynnum-Manly’s neighboring suburbs have a history dating back to the 1860s and boast some interesting historic sights. North of Wynnum, at the mouth of the Brisbane River, is the 19th century Fort Lytoon, surrounded by a moat. A museum at the fort (open only on Sundays and public holidays) interprets Queenslands military and social history from 1879. Further north is the Port of Brisbane which offers public tours and includes an informative visitor center.
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