The Moreton Bay Region is full of refreshing natural swimming holes, bayside beaches and swimming pools to escape the heat this summer.
From Bribie Island to Redcliffe and into our lush hinterland, Moreton Bay Region is home to a diverse array of watery oases tucked off the beaten path, and several safe swimming beaches great for a splash.
Settlement Cove Lagoon by the Redcliffe foreshore is a popular destination to cool off in Moreton Bay. The best part? It’s completely free to enjoy!
Just 40 minutes from Brisbane City, the man-made lagoon features a deep end, shallow wading area and an enclosed miniature water play area for the little ones.
The lagoon is wheelchair accessible, with two ramps at either side of the lagoon. Beach showers, plenty of barbecue and picnic facilities as well as an ice cream truck are yours to enjoy.
Suttons Beach is one of the more open and popular swimming beaches on the Redcliffe Peninsula.
It consists of a sandy high tide beach and a shallow low tide sand flat – perfect for enjoying a calm dip with refreshing sea breezes.
The protection of Moreton Island means that this bay beach sees very little ocean swell, and is a relatively safe swimming option for families.
If you’re looking for truly tucked away, natural rock swimming pools only accessible by 4WD you can’t go past Rocky Hole. Access is via one of the Mount Mee 4WD tracks through D'Aguilar National Park. From the car park on Neurum Creek Road (8km from The Gantry) there is a 200m walking track with stairs to get to the waterhole and waterfall, which is especially stunning after it has rained.
Quietly hidden at the southern end of Bellthorpe National Park in the Conondale Ranges, Stony Creek is one of Moreton Bay Region’s most spectacular natural swimming holes.
The creek is surrounded by native bushlands and can be accessed from the Stony Creek Day-Use Area on Fletcher Road, west from Woodford.
There are also some excellent mountain bike tracks beginning at Stony Creek Day Use Area, so take along your mountain bike and cool off in the creek at the end.
Sylvan Beach is one of the most popular Bribie Island beaches due to its safe swimming and family friendly features such as picnic and barbeque areas, playgrounds and toilets.
There’s a boat ramp if you want to bring your own or hire a boat and explore the island by sea. Pop into the bait and tackle shop before you head out for a fish and if you don’t catch anything for lunch, you’ll find a number of cafes nearby.
Dogs are welcome, too, but only if they’re on the leash.
With its cool breezes, gentle waters and stunning views of the bay, Bongaree Beach on Bribie Island is a favourite amongst locals and visitors.
Families will enjoy swimming at Bongaree Beach, with its gentle waters and shallow areas it’s ideal for parents with toddlers to enjoy a day in the sunshine. Give them a bucket and a spade and they will play at the waters edge for hours!
Catch some fish on Bribie to grill at home, enjoy fish and chips for dinner along Welsby Parade or watch the sunset over the Glasshouse Mountains – Bongaree Beach has it all.
For natural rock swimming pools closer to the city, visit Bunya Crossing Reserve waterhole. This cool, watery retreat on the South Pine River backs onto Bunyaville Conservation Park.
It’s deep, with a nice cool undercurrent that's not strong by any means. It is easily accessible for small children, and there are picnic tables dotted beneath the trees.
Gates to the reserve open at sunrise and close at sunset. BYO kayak or canoe.
Youngs Crossing Park is located on a grassy bank of the North Pine River, off Youngs Crossing Road. One of Moreton Bay Region’s most popular spots for kayaking and stand up paddle boarding, Youngs Crossing is mostly fresh water with little current.
With the Sunday markets at Old Petrie Town and the Pine Rivers Heritage Museum just next door, pack the family in the car and explore Petrie and its surrounds for your next day trip.
Part of Moreton Bay Region’s picturesque Bribie Island beaches is Woorim Ocean Beach, an ideal location for surfing, fishing, swimming and sand play.
As the closest surf beach north of Brisbane, the waves average between 0.5 and 1.0m and, as such, we recommend keeping an eye on your kids if they want to take a dip.
Important: Waterholes may be empty if no recent rain.
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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.
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