Top 5 day trips in the Moreton Bay Region this summer
It’s summer and you’re looking for inspiration to get outdoors and explore the region ... here’s five top picks to get your summer sorted.
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It’s summer and you’re looking for inspiration to get outdoors and explore the region ... here’s five top picks to get your summer sorted.
1 White Ridge Farm
David and Katrina White started White Ridge Farm with just a few chickens and a goat. They now have llamas, alpacas, horses, goats, sheep, lambs, chickens, ducks, miniature horses, a cow, camel and more.
The hobby farm has become a haven for all creatures great and small, regularly taking in animals that need to be rehomed and is open to the public.
You can head to the 8ha property at Elimbah to hand feed all the animals and even have a go at milking the cow.
The animals are friendly and enjoy meeting visitors of all ages. In fact, you can hold a farm birthday party there.
White Ridge Farm is open Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays from 9am-3pm (weather permitting). Check the Facebook page or phone ahead if you’re unsure.
Admission, including a cup of animal food and hay ride, is free for children under 2 years; $8 for 2-5 years; $10 for 6-16 years and pensioners; $15 adults; $38 family pass.
White Ridge Farm is at 130 Hamilton Rd, Elimbah. Visit whiteridgefarm.com.au or phone 0417 774 559
2 Red Beach, Bongaree
Pack a picnic, grab your four-legged friends and hit Red Beach at Bongaree. It is one of the few off-leash beaches in the region and is at the southern end of Bribie Island.
There are no amenities and you’ll need to watch the tide times.
But if you don’t mind getting your feet, and sometimes your calves and knees, wet, it’s well worth a visit.
There are stunning views of Moreton Island and it’s a top spot for watching dolphins and other marine and bird life. Access is via Tully St, Bongaree.
3 Stony Creek waterhole, Woodford
Quietly hidden at the southern end of the Bellthorpe Forest Reserve on the Conondale Ranges, Stony Creek waterhole is one of the Moreton Bay Region’s most spectacular natural swimming holes.
True to its name, Stony Creek is a boulder-hopping paradise, with water cascading over rock faces that then trickle through pebbles of every colour into a large natural swimming hole, which flows towards Somerset Dam via the Stanley River.
The creek is surrounded by native bushland and can be accessed via the Stony Creek day-use area at Fletcher Rd, west from Woodford.
There are picnic tables and woodfire barbecues which can be used when there aren’t fire restrictions, and there are toilets.
While swimming is the most obvious activity you can enjoy at this magical spot, there are also bush tracks for hiking — just make sure you have a map, water, water purification tablets, food and first aid kit. Also let family and friends know where you are because there’s no mobile phone service in the area.
4 Bullocky’s Rest, Lake Samsonvale
This is the perfect place for a family picnic, or romantic day out with numerous picnic shelters, barbecues, toilets and a playground.
Bullocky’s Rest overlooks beautiful Lake Samsonvale and is a popular spot for visitors of all ages. It’s open from 6am daily, so you can stop by for breakfast if you’re really keen.
Fishing is permitted, with Lake Samsonvale being stocked with a number of native fish since 1991 but you will need a permit. These can be obtained from the Pine Rivers Fish Management Association. Visit prfma.com.au
Swimming is not allowed and only members of The Lake Samsonvale Water Sports Association are permitted to use watercraft on Lake Samsonvale.
But there’s still plenty to do at the shaded playground, which has a slide, fireman’s pole and a small flying fox. Nature lovers can watch local birdlife, and spot turtles and koalas.
5 Hire a boat and discover Pumicestone Passage
Want to discover Pumicestone Passage but don’t have a boat or a license? Well, you still can.
Bribie Island Boat Charters has eight or 12-person barbecue boats which you can hire for a full day or half day.
It’s the perfect way to hit the water, do some fishing and enjoy a barbecue with family and friends.
The 12-person boats have two tables and barbecues, comfortable seats, toilet, shade cover, safety equipment, a sink and bench area with 20 litres of drinking water. Gas and fuel is included in the hire price of $270 for a half day or $400 for a full day.
Visit bribieboats.com.au
GET YOUR SUMMER SORTED
Need more inspiration for summer fun? Head to visitmoretonbayregion.com.au
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