The Redcliffe Peninsula - discovered and named by Matthew Flinders in 1799 - was the short-lived site of the original Moreton Bay penal colony. Within a year of setting up the colony in 1824, the convicts and their guards were forced to relocate to the banks of the Brisbane River by marauding mosquitoes and Aborigines.
Today the peninsula and city of Redcliffe is a popular residential and holiday area. The sheltered beaches are ideal for families and amongst the best are Scarborough Beach Park, Suttons Beach and Margate Beach. Settlement Cove Lagoon is popular with families and features palm trees, a waterfall, children’s wading pools and barbecues.
The calm waters of Moreton Bay are perfect for water sports. Boats, jetskis, kayaks, surf skis, canoes, windsurfers and kitesurfers can be seen in the bay, and many can be hired locally.
Fishing is hugely popular on the peninsula. Hornibrook Bridge, Redcliffe Jetty and Woody Point Jetty are some of the best places to start. Scarborough Boat Harbour is the place to go for deep-water fishing charters.
There are spectacular views across the bay to Moreton and Stradbroke Islands from the top of the distinctive red cliffs. Redcliffe is also the departure point for the vehicular ferry to Moreton Island, which claims the highest sand dunes in the world. At Tangalooma Resort on the island’s western shore, you can hand-feed wild dolphins.
Redcliffe City Art Gallery has local and travelling exhibitions. Redcliffe Museum has displays relating to the early days of the colony.
Redcliffe Botanic Gardens features a Moreton region rainforest and a herb garden with over 500 types of herb.
Each Good Friday, Redcliffe hosts the Festival of Sails, a beachside event overlooking the early-race action of the annual Brisbane to Gladstone yacht race.
Festivals: Festival of Sails (Good Friday), Kitefest (May), First Settlement Festival (September)
Things to do:
Beaches - Scarborough Beach Park, Suttons Beach, Margate Beach
Settlement Cove Lagoon - wading pools, swimming lagoon, barbecues
Water sports - boats, jetskis, kayaks, surf skis, canoes, windsurfers, kitesurfers
Fishing - Hornibrook Bridge, Redcliffe Jetty, Woody Point Jetty
Redcliffe City Art Gallery
Redcliffe Museum
Redcliffe Botanic Gardens - rainforest, herb garden
In the area:
Moreton Island - sand dunes, hand-feed wild dolphins at Tangalooma Resort
Australia - plan it, book it
