Immerse yourself in the local colonial history of the Moreton Bay Region with exploration of the many heritage trails, from early penal settlement to the dairy farming and logging history of the hinterland.
So plan a day to explore one of our region’s heritage trails, taking the time to take in the stunning natural beauty and boutique village vibes.
In September 1824, upon orders from Governor Brisbane, a group of government officials, soldiers and convicts arrived at the Redcliffe Peninsula, charged with the task of building Moreton Bay’s first penal settlement. Conditions proved too difficult, and eight months later they relocated to the Brisbane River (where the Brisbane CBD is today).
Today you can walk in their footsteps and hear stories about Redcliffe’s (and Queensland’s) first European encampment on the Redcliffe Convict Trail.
START LOCATION: 159 Redcliffe Parade, Redcliffe
DISTANCE: 1.7km
DURATION: 1 hour
STOPS: 8
The Esplanade has always been a centre of lively fun and recreation in Redcliffe. Lined with shops, cafes, bars and boarding houses, this was the place holiday makers congregated, ice creams melting in their hands.
At the heart of this joyful promenade was the jetty. Visitors would pour off the steamers in their hundreds, sights set on the attractions the Esplanade had to offer: the Rollerdrome, Comino’s Arcade, Luna Park, or simple pleasures such as swimming or fishing off the jetty.
Your stroll along the Redcliffe Historical Esplanade Walk today takes you to many of these treasured locations.
START LOCATION: 189 Redcliffe Parade, Redcliffe
DISTANCE: 1.8km
DURATION: 1 hour
STOPS: 10
The Deception Bay Heritage Trail takes you back to the town’s early days, when the area was remote, roads were dusty tracks and Aboriginal locals maintained traditional lifestyle and culture.
Today you can walk the bayside trail and read the stories about Deception Bay, note this trail is Caboolture River Rd, Queenslandpart of the Deception Bay Foreshore accessible pathway.
START LOCATION: Beach Road, Deception Bay
DISTANCE: 2.3km
DURATION: 1 hour
STOPS: 16
Discover the history behind Anzac Ave and remember our fallen soldiers by visiting the Anzac memorial sites along this heritage-listed main thoroughfare running from Redcliffe to Petrie, an approximate 40 minute car trip from start to end.
Returned servicemen began constructing the avenue in 1922 - its purpose twofold - to serve as a much-needed major arterial road for a growing city and to honour the fallen soldiers of the First World War (WWI).
START LOCATION: 2 Anzac Avenue, Redcliffe
DISTANCE: 17.9km
DURATION: 27 minute drive (without stops)
STOPS: 7 Memorial Stops
Some 140 years ago, the rough bush track between Caboolture and Morayfield took several arduous hours for early settlers to travel. Today, the Caboolture River Road is a comfortable half hour drive, but it will forever be linked with stories from our pioneer past. This Scenic Heritage Trail commemorates just a few of them.
START LOCATION: Turn off from Morayfield Road to Caboolture River Road
DISTANCE: 17.3km
DURATION: 20 minute drive (without stops)
STOPS: 7
Operating as a cotton farm in the 1860s, settler George Raff eventually developed the land into a sugar cane plantation named ‘Moray Fields’ to complement his Moray Bank house in New Farm. Of course, the Moray reference is in recognition to his origins in Morayshire, north-east Scotland.
This trail tells the story of Raff and his contribution to the economic growth of the region during early settlement, including transport of cut cane to Brisbane, using water transportation. Caboolture River Rd, Queensland
Be sure to drop into the Compass Centre to learn more about this historic site, including artefacts.
North Harbour Heritage Trail area has been listed and protected on the Queensland Heritage Register since 2011 as a place of Queensland State significance.
LOCATION: North Harbour Heritage Park, Moreton Bay Bvd, Morayfield
DISTANCE: 1.5km
DURATION: 1 hour
STOPS: 6
Explore the history of the Moreton Bay Region along the former railway corridor that once linked freight and passenger services between Caboolture and Kilcoy, the Caboolture to Wamuran Rail Trail.
The first major section of the line, stretching between Caboolture and Woodford, was opened on 6 December 1909, and extended to Kilcoy in November 1913. The line includes sidings to allow freight and produce to be loaded to and from the railway wagons at the Moodlu, Wamuran, Bracalba, D’Aguilar and Woodford Stations.
Today the trail has been resurfaced and developed for use by cyclists and pedestrians.
LOCATION: 46 Beerburrum Road, Caboolture
DISTANCE: 10.5 km
DURATION: 2.5 hours
STOPS: 11
In 1823 Lt. John Oxley, the New South Wales Surveyor-General, discover the Pine River, assisted by two castaway ticket-of-leave convicts. It wasn’t until 1843 that the Griffin family established the ‘Whiteside Run’ on the North Pine River, an extensive sheep and cattle station. Today the area is busy business and residential area and home to the USC Moreton Bay Campus which opened it’s doors in 2020.
This self guided tour starts at Sweeney Reserve, with sites 1-29 within walking distance from Petrie Train Station.
LOCATION: Taylor Street, Petrie
DISTANCE: Minimum 3.5 km
DURATION: Allow 2 hours
STOPS: 33
Of all the areas in the Moreton Bay region, Samford is perhaps one of the most historic and the Samford Museum provides a portal into understanding how life was for the region’s early settlers from the 1850s through to more recent days.
The museum preserves a diverse collection of local building styles, along with many original buildings dotted along the villages main street.
LOCATION: 21 Station St, Samford Village
DISTANCE: 1.3km
DURATION: 1 hour
STOPS: 13
The Dayboro district was initially referred to as Upper North Pine. The first permanent non-indigenous settler was John McKenzie. The region became attractive to the dairy and timber industry, with a butter factory being built in 1892, followed by a sawmill in early 1900.
The street scape of Dayboro today still showcases many of the original buildings, including the Crown Hotel.
LOCATION: 24 Williams Street, Dayboro
DISTANCE: 800m
DURATION: 30 minutes
STOPS: 19
The Bribie Island Plaques Waterfront Walk along the Bongaree Foreshore. Starting from Kangaroo Avenue, this one-hour walk features sixteen heritage plaques telling over 200 years of local history.
LOCATION: 95 Welsby Parade, Bongaree
DISTANCE: 1.2km
DURATION: 1 hour
STOPS: 17
The Bribie Island landscape has changed a lot since Matthew Flinders, Bongaree, and their crew landed on the island in 1799. Even centuries later, the expedition has left an indelible imprint on the island and its residents. You can explore this history with the Bongaree Self Guided Walkabout, heritage waterfront walk.
LOCATION: First Ave, Bongaree
DISTANCE: Approx. 3.5km
DURATION: 2 hours
STOPS: 16
Looking for more things to do and see? Pop into one of the region's Accredited Visitor Information Centres. The volunteers have a wealth of local knowledge.
Learn about the history of Moreton Bay region on a FREE tour through Woodford, Redcliffe and Samford guided by our local knowledgeable volunteers from Visitor Information Centres.
Whether you're a seasoned pro or a weekend hacker, Moreton Bay swings with opportunity for golfers of all stripes with championship golf courses, indoor golf simulators, driving ranges and mini golf courses.
While the Moreton Bay region is famous for its stunning marine park and hinterland activities, there’s also a thriving retail scene waiting to be explored.
Channel 7's Weekender Crew and Lee Carseldine embark on a brewery hop, exploring some of the region's finest breweries in Brendale. Watch SUNDAY MARCH 31 from 5.30pm.