The Moreton Bay Region is filled with hidden pockets of coolness perfect for escaping the summer swelter.
Here are 10 stunning natural Brisbane swimming pools and bayside beaches dotted around our local hinterland national parks and bayside precincts.
From Bribie Island to Redcliffe and into our hinterland, Moreton Bay Region is home to quite a few watery oases tucked off the beaten path and several safe swimming beaches great for a splash.
This is a popular destination for families to cool off overlooking Moreton Bay. The man-made pool features water play areas for little ones, wading areas and a deeper lagoon. Settlement Cove Lagoon is wheelchair accessible and equipped with a beach shower and plenty of barbecue and picnic facilities.
Enjoy the refreshing sea breezes while swimming at this low-key, patrolled beach. Right next to Suttons Beach in the parkland, you will find shelters, a fully fenced playground, shady trees and picnic areas.
This is a beautiful place to picnic and spend some time by the waterside enjoying views across the D'Aguilar Ranges. The foreshores are dotted with barbecue areas, playgrounds and picnic tables in a few locations such as Bullocky Rest, Forgan Cove and McGavin View. The area provides habitat for a diverse array of native wildlife, so bring along binoculars for a bit of bird watching while you're here.
Swimming is not permitted at Lake Samsonvale (North Pine Dam) as it is the drinking water supply to the local area, but you can engage in watersports on certain days if you hold the appropriate permit.
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.
This is also a fun place to rock hop, so bring your walking shoes.
Part of The Conondale Ranges, placid Stony Creek flows through Bellthorpe Forest Reserve. To reach the Stony Creek Day Use Area, follow the signs along Fletcher Road, west of 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.
At 599m above sea level, the temperature at Mt Glorious is always several degrees cooler than the rest of Brisbane. Take a walk along Rainforest Circuit in Maiala and then follow the crystal clear water as it flows along the valley floor to Greenes Falls.
The Bongaree Beach area is a family friendly spot to keep cool in the gentle waters of Pumicestone Passage. Bribie Island is only a short drive across the Sandstone Point bridge. Catch some fish on Bribie to grill at home, or enjoy fish and chips for dinner along Welsby Parade while watching the sunset over the Glasshouse Mountains.
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 is easily accessible for small children and there are picnic tables dotted beneath the trees. BYO canoe, or kayak.
Gates to the reserve open at sunrise and close at sunset.
This section of the North Pine River is one of Moreton Bay Region’s popular spots for kayaking and stand up paddle boarding. From here it is a treat to paddle upstream as far as Grant Street, or downstream to Sweeney Reserve and AJ Wyllie Bridge.
It is possible to camp at this beautiful spot surrounded by Aussie bush within D'Aguilar National Park. The Neurum Creek Camping area is equipped with cooking and bathroom facilities onsite, so the kids can enjoy playing all day long in and around the creek.
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.
