Spend a day in Petrie, a great day trip from Brisbane, where there are so many things to see and do for singles, couples, and families alike! An easy 30-minute drive north from Brisbane, Petrie is a wonderful little spot with a village atmosphere and an interesting historic past. It’s sure to be a memorable day!
At only 24 kilometres out of Brisbane, Petrie is the perfect distance for commuters or day-trippers. It is now a suburban village built on land that was once used for pine plantations and agriculture, which gives it a slightly rural feel. The Petrie railway station provides access to regular train services to Brisbane, Ipswich, Caboolture and the Sunshine Coast. With a number of heritage listed sites, tourism in Petrie is focused on recreation and activities such as bushwalking, canoeing, fishing and horse riding.
The Petrie region lies in Moreton Bay and includes the suburbs of Kallangur, Lawnton, Joyner and Kurwongbah.
Petrie is a great destination for singles, couples, and families alike. With cultural attractions as well as outdoor activities and shopping on offer, there’s something to suit everyone. Local history and outdoor fun combine to make Petrie a great day out.
If you love history, culture, food, and local markets, Petrie will make a great day trip or mini-break for you and your family. Check out our list of the top things to do in Petrie and plan your day trip today!
For a wonderful chance to explore and discover the unique history of the region, check out Old Petrie Town. There are historical buildings, pottery and blacksmiths' workshops, a fire museum, steam and engine museum, quality speciality shops, handmade gifts and crafts, and a great heritage restaurant. Something to please couples or families alike!
Set in an original timber building from the 1880s, the Pine Rivers Heritage Museum holds a unique collection of colonial and convict artefacts and provides a largely interactive modern take on local history. Children will enjoy sitting at small wooden school desks from days gone by or walking the timber walk, while adults will enjoy visiting Camp Strathpine, a World War 2 camp which stationed 15 thousand American troops. The Museum makes an excellent stop off after visiting Old Petrie Town or the markets, and the large snakes and ladders game complete with dice will be sure to keep the kids amused!
Petrie boasts a number of different shopping centres and precincts that will please any shopper, no matter what you’re looking for.
Petrie is very close to both Strathpine Centre, Westfield North Lakes and IKEA. Both are large shopping complexes with dozens of specialty shops, Big W, Target, Woolworths and Coles, and varied and diverse eateries. North Lakes is a busy, cosmopolitan centre while Strathpine is more laid back.
Locally, Petrie Village Shopping Centre on Dayboro Road has a chemist, a post office, a bakery, a Woolworths supermarket, and a few specialty shops. Definitely the place to go if you’re just after a quick pit stop. Boutique speciality shopping can be found in and around the residential zones - hidden gems aplenty!
Check out local lakes, rivers and parks and test out Moreton Bay Region’s latest lengthy pathway perfect for getting active while accessing nearby suburbs:
Lake Samsonvale aka North Pine Dam, sits to the west of Petrie’s heart. It’s a great place for easy and simple fishing with children. The lake shimmers with spangled perch, tilapia, golden and silver perch, snub-nosed garfish, Saratoga, red claw crayfish, eastern freshwater cod and Australian bass.
Bullocky Rest reflects its name – it is a restful, tranquil spot. The water is still and silent, the only sounds being the rustle of branches in the breeze. Acacia woodland thins and spreads out as it meets the waterside, the land upon which it grows slants right down into the cool water of the lake.
Take a look at the Lake Samsonvale Recreation Guide for picnicking, playground, fishing, boating and walking trail information.
Please Note: Dogs are not permitted at Lake Samsonvale.
Heading northwards you’ll find the serene Lake Kurwongbah, a secluded and sheltered body of water often overlooked in its area. If you’re looking for picnicking and fishing things to do in Petrie, the lake, nestled in the heart of Petrie, is a prime spot to enjoy such leisure pursuits.
Mick Hanfling Park is Lake Kurwonbah’s gateway to the water. Every Sunday to Wednesday you can spot the odd four wheel drive driving down Torrens Road with a trailer in tow carrying paddle crafts towards the water’s edge.
Take a look at the Lake Kurwongbah Recreation Guide for picnicking, playground, fishing, boating and walking trail information.
Please Note: Dogs are not permitted at Lake Kurwongbah.
Dividing Petrie and Lawnton is the North Pine River, a short drive south from Old Petrie Town, home of the Sunday Petrie Town Country Markets. The parks on both sides of the riverbank offer a variety of outdoor things to do in Petrie.
Wyllie Park sits on the northern Petrie side, opposite Leis Park on the southern Lawnton side (a prime kayak/canoe/SUP launch spot).
Wyllie Park adjoins Sweeney Reserve, a large parklands area containing winding paths, a cricket pitch, mini skate park and basketball area, a koala habitat, and fenced, off-leash dog park perfect for letting your furry, four-legged best friend roam free.
If you’re keen for a picnic by the water’s edge, you’ll find a great secluded little picnic table at the end of a short footpath branching-off the main pathway to the left, as you walk from Wyllie Park towards Sweeney Reserve. Of course, the manicured lawns of the park areas are also ideal for unfurling a picnic rug not far from the water.
Please Note: Dogs are permitted on-lead in general park areas and off-lead only in the fenced-off doggy park.
Following alongside the new Redcliffe Peninsula train line, the 12.6km Petrie to Kippa-Ring pathway beckons avid walkers, joggers, runners, cyclists and the odd rollerblade enthusiast. Athletically and leisurely minded locals use the pathway to access nearby suburbs, with some taking on the challenge of travelling its entire length, continuing on to the Redcliffe peninsula.
Please Note: Leashed pups are welcome to stroll the pathways length.
Whether you’re visiting for a day of shopping at the markets or staying for a week on a horse-riding excursion, Petrie has something to entice everyone. With its village atmosphere and numerous attractions, Petrie is the ultimate day trip or weekend destination for locals and visitors alike.
Anzac Park Remembrance Site | Petrie
Pine Rivers Park | Strathpine
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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