Continued – The Dugong, one of Moreton Bay’s most famous sea creatures, is the symbol used to identify this drive. Being a unique sign for the Southern Moreton Bay Tourist Drive, this road trip is well marked throughout the entire length with the distinctive brown and white dugong signs.
The Final Stretch Of Our Road Trip: Cleveland, Victoria Point, Mt Cotton & Sirromet Winery
Have you been on our Road Trip with us so far, there is so much more to see and explore. Come aboard and brace yourself for The Final Stretch Of Our Road Trip as we conclude our tour of the Southern Moreton Bay Tourist Drive. You should see what we get up to next.
This has been a journey of discovering some breath-taking locations jam packed with entertainment, fishing spots, walking trails, awe-inspiring views, foodie’s nirvana, beautiful sandy beaches and some of the most awesome playgrounds all by the waters of spectacular Moreton Bay. Packing up the car with picnic goodies and heading off on a Road Trip is an excellent way to explore these beach and bayside locations. It’s not only the assortment of historical pubs, cafes and restaurants that draws visitors and locals alike to this area but also the rich cultural museums, art galleries and markets all showcasing the history, colour and character of what this region of SE Queensland has to offer.
With our departure from Wellington Point, our next port of call is Cleveland but before pulling into Cleveland, we’ll make a quick detour while we were in the area arriving at a “must see” destination, historic Ormiston House. Built in the 1860’s, this “Grand Old Lady”, also the home of Australia’s first commercial sugar, displays all the elegance and timeless nature of our early colonial architecture.
Surrounded by magnificent grounds and gardens with stunning views of Moreton Bay, this is just the perfect spot to indulge yourself in a fancy High Tea on the verandah or a look – over of several car shows and other special events that can be held each year. A tour of the house is a must with all areas open to the public and the friendly staff always on hand to answer any questions. 🔥👉 Covid-19 has impacted on the Opening & Tour times as well as the many special events that had been planned for 2020. Click on the link Ormiston House (click here) to ensure you have all the up to date information and entry costs before you visit.
Back on track following the Southern Moreton Bay Tourist Drive, it’s only a short drive to where we’ll have time to stretch our legs in Cleveland, a vibrant coastal village with a treasure trove of things to see and do.
Boasting picturesque tree lined streets, a modern art gallery and one of the best historic museums (Redland Museum) in SE Queensland, coupled with the many waterside locations, this locale is simply perfect for family picnics and BBQ’s. Back in the town centre, the main thoroughfare Bloomfield Street is home to such a diversified range of cafes, coffee shops and speciality boutiques and hosts the Cleveland Markets one of Brisbane’s original farmers markets. 🔥👉 ROAD TRIP’N has previously posted on the Redland Museum, this place is worth a visit and is a fantastic location for Adults and Children to spend a few hours investigating the local history and stories. I have included a link to ROAD TRIP’N: Redland Museum-Day Trip (click here) for all your visit information if you want to check it out.
On reaching the intersection with Middle Street, you can’t miss the Cleveland Library on one corner with amongst the usual things that this library has to offer is a great local history collection and a café tucked away out the back. Opposite is the Redland Art Gallery, with its ever-changing line-up of local and touring art works, with free entry, it’s worth spending a few minutes browsing this site in air conditioned comfort.
The sign says 
so to the harbour we’re headed. This is such an easy stroll as we amble along towards the Raby Bay Marina passing sprawling grassy waterside parks and stunning gardens, people picnicking or just strolling along the boardwalk overlooking exquisite Raby Bay Harbour, all of this just a perfect spot for catch-ups with family and friends.
Meandering along the Raby Bay foreshore boardwalk brought us to several cafés and restaurants all serving a huge, diversified range of food and beverages. With spectacular marina views, what an idyllic spot to stop and grab a coffee and a bite to eat.
Event days always bring out the best that these coastal communities have to offer and it’s always worth a few minutes to check to see what might be happening before you visit. As a bonus, on a previous visit to Raby Bay, the “Notorious” a full-size replica of a 15th Century Spanish exploration vessel was berthed with full access to the public to enjoy and explore. I just love it when you’re out exploring, and you come across an unusual event like this. Always expect the unexpected when we’re on a road trip. ⛵😉
Your exploits are just not limited to touring, as Raby Bay itself is also an extremely popular place for aquatic sports including paddle boarding, fishing, boating and jet-skiing. Enjoy a picnic, have a drink and a “pub” meal, take a walk along the boardwalk all served up with sweeping harbour and coastal views.
The drive from Raby Bay to Cleveland Point hugs the foreshore showcasing some of the magnificent houses dotted around the canal estates. Navigating along Shore Street North, Cleveland we are now cruising through the Cleveland Point Heritage Precinct where architectural heritage buildings including The Grand View Hotel (oldest licensed hotel in QLD), The Old Schoolhouse Gallery, the Old Courthouse (restaurant), Cleveland Point Lighthouse and Lighthouse Restaurant are all very popular attractions enjoyed by many visitors and locals alike.
Keep your eyes peeled, you really can’t miss it, and you’ll soon be approaching the historic Grand View Hotel. Built in 1851 with beautiful views overlooking Moreton Bay, offering a wide range of icy cold beers and boasting the freshest seafood and juiciest steaks, this is not a bad place to stop for a bite to eat and a refreshing “bevy”.
After our “inspection” of the Grand View Hotel, traveling along Shore Street – North, a group of restored buildings has attracted our attention. With an abundance of parking available, we thought it was timely to check out this place. Here, there are a number of buildings, with The Old School House Gallery housing art works in two historical buildings displaying local works and artistic flair of the area. Each month throughout the year there are Exhibition Openings, artist demonstrations and Art Markets. 🔥👉 Visit the Old School House Gallery here for all updates and information.
Cleveland Point Recreation Reserve is one of those places that when you arrive it really makes you treasure what a wonderful part of South East Queensland we live in. Surrounded by water on three sides, with a little imagination it could appear you have arrived on your own island paradise.
The centre piece, which everyone comes to see, is the historical Cleveland Point Lighthouse. Built in 1864, the Lighthouse is a beacon for the many visitors to the area with an information board giving you all the background detail on the “How”, “When” and “Why.”
The nearb
y Lighthouse Restaurant also has its own history story to tell, not only offering superb waterside dining and bar but also a cafe, take away fish & chips and ice-cremes.
Head to the Fish & Chippery and get your hands on some fish and chips or throw down your picnic blanket under the shade of some amazing climbing trees, or better still cook up a sausage sizzle taking advantage of the numerous BBQ’s and covered picnic shelters, then sit back and catch the cooling sea breezes while you enjoy a sumptuous feast by the Bay.
The surrounding areas are all flat with the pathways leading to the BBQ & picnic areas, toilets, and the nautically themed central playground. The park is surrounded by green grassy picnic areas and a ring road, with loads of parking, all enclosed by a wide walking promenade around the point.
The walking is easy around the Point with plenty of spots for some superb photographic opportunities and seating to rest up or just admire the stunning views of Moreton Bay.
The kid’s playground is a beauty, with swings, miniature shipwrecked boats and a giant turtle sitting in the sand just waiting to be explored.
Enjoy a picnic, try some fishing, coffee in the café or just take a stroll along the walkway, all of this served up with some of the best panoramic views of Queensland’s Moreton Bay region.
Cleveland is also the gateway to spectacular North Stradbroke Island famous for its endless views of long sandy beaches and from some of the highest points on the island great land-based views of migrating whales which pass by every season.
A short drive from Cleveland towards the Bay will put you at the doorstep of the terminals for the car ferries and water taxis that criss-cross Moreton Bay as they convey you to North Stradbroke Island. 🔥👉 Tip: Cleveland and the Ferry Terminals along with many other stops on the Southern Moreton Bay Tourist Drive can also be accessed by Train and Bus. Translink – click here for all your transport information and services. 👉 Car parking is also available here for long and short term stays.
Back on the road again still following the Dugong sign posts we’ll soon approach the lovely bayside precinct of Victoria Point. Victoria Point is a great place to enjoy the natural surrounds of the Redlands, combining a mix of residential and retail business zones comprising supermarkets, boutique and speciality stores with plenty of parking available.
You might think when you arrive at these locations that you’ve suddenly ended up in a downtown city location with all these shopping centres. Don’t be concerned, follow the trail winding through the suburbs past small local shopping centres, a good place to stop for a treat and coffee at the bakeries and cafes, just keep heading towards Victoria Point.
We’ve arrived. This is just a lovely place to walk and relax in the beautiful natural bush surroundings of the parklands with a mix of BBQ and picnic facilities, a playground, all with glorious views overlooking Moreton Bay and Coochiemudlo Island.
BYO picnic goodies, have a BBQ and enjoy the panorama from the park or get some takeaway Fish and Chips from the kiosk, bag yourself a picnic table and watch the free entertainment on Moreton Bay with boats coming and going and all the activity on the water.
If you’ve got some time to spare or want to make an outing of it on another day, at this point is the ferry terminal for an excursion to Coochiemudlo Island. Filled with sandy beaches, playgrounds, free BBQ’s, fishing spots and many other activities all of which will easily keep the family entertained for hours. Only a 10 minute ferry ride from the mainland, “Coochy” is also one of the closest and more accessible islands in the Moreton Bay region. 🔥👉 Click on the link Visit Coochiemudlo for all your transport and visit information.
Leaving the coast behind us we’ll take the very scenic country drive along sealed bitumen roads through the semi-rural hinterland of Mt Cotton. Here you’ll find large tracts of land in open forests that have been set aside for Koala conservation and home to possums, wallabies, and other Australian native animals. There are several bush walks snaking their way through the Venman Bushland National Park, some winding their way along the scenic water course of Tingalpa Creek, through melaleuca swamp and then into open eucalypt forest. A few areas are also set aside for BBQ’s and picnicking and if you visit in spring, which is one of the cooler months, the flowering wildflowers are sure to catch your attention.
We’re at our journeys end on the final stretch of Our Southern Moreton Bay Tourist Drive and have arrived at the Sirromet Winery. Turning off Mt Cotton Road and heading along the drive past grapevines and wedding ceremony venues, we are first greeted by huge timber and glass doors. Behind these doors will lead to Restaurant Lurleens with its superb food and amazing views and downstairs to the Barrel Hall which can be booked for wedding receptions.
This is just not a winery but a destination that you could easy spend a day exploring. Park the car, take a winery tour, head to the Cellar door and sample many of the fine drops that are available or simply just sit back with a glass of wine and enjoy a delicious meal from several restaurants and cafes. 🔥👉 Sirromet also hosts various events throughout the the year including concerts aptly called – A Day On The Green. Check the Sirromet website for upcoming artists, concert dates and pricing.
The Southern Moreton Bay Tourist Drive experience is not just limited to touring. Boating on the bay, exploring the many islands and waterways, discovering hidden forest boardwalks and bush trails, fishing spots, feasting on fish and chips, parks and playgrounds, A Day On The Green, cycling along the shores of the bay are all part of the discovery of this Road Trip. The Moreton Bay region is a stunning area and ideal for a day trip or better still staying a few nights will help you get the best out of your ROAD TRIP experience. 🧡🧡💛💙
This is Part 3 – The Final Stretch Of Our Road Trip – as we travel The Southern Moreton Bay Tourist Drive. If you have missed the first two blogs, click on the links below for parts 1 & 2.
👉 Part 1: Ideas to Kickstart Your Southern Moreton Bay Tourist Drive
👉 Part 2: Continued – Southern Moreton Bay Tourist Drive – Manly, Lota & Wellington Point
ROAD TRIP'N 