Scenic Drives around Brisbane
Winding through beautiful eucalypt forest, Mount Nebo Road is a picturesque drive along the Brisbane Forest Park to Mount Glorious and onto the Wivenhoe Lookout. A number of lookouts along the way showcase the best views in the region, so make sure you take the time to leave the car, stretch your legs and enjoy the peace of the D'Aguilar Range.
On the other side of the range, the Northbrook Pathway continues on through Mount Glorious and links up to Wivenhoe-Somerset Dam Road. Turn right and then left down to the picnic area at Hays Landing or continue to the left, crossing Lake Wivenhoe and skirting Splityard Creek Dam, before connecting with the Brisbane Valley Highway.
Follow the Birsbane Valley Highway back into Brisbane, enjoying the views of the lush rural farmland and meandering creeks. Stop at the small village of Fernvale, browse the local antique stores for something timeless, stock up on fresh produce, or enjoy a hearty meal at the local hotel.
Take a scenic drive of discovery along the peninsula from Deagon to Redcliffe, visiting a variety of natural and historical attractions unique to Moreton Bay.
Enter Deagon via the Gateway Motorway, heading past the racecourse along Board Street. Turn right at the roundabout onto Railway Street, then right again onto Palm Avenue to the end where it becomes Sinbad Street.
Following Sinbad Street will take you past the Sandgate Fish Co-op, the Sandgate Yacht Club and around to Cabbage Tree Head. Moving further along the road, you will pass Baxter's Jetty and the historical Shorncliffe Pier, which is definitely worth a closer look.
Cruise along Flinders Parade, enjoying the salt air and the sea breezes as you pass numerous parks and picnic spots offering stunning views of the bay. Stop off at the Nineteenth Avenue Precinct and take advantage of the barbecue facilities alongside the esplanade.
Continuing along the drive you will come across the Hornibrook Highway, the former gateway to the Peninsula and a popular haunt for pedestrians, cyclists and anglers - which runs parallel to the Houghton Highway.
Pelican Park at Clontarf attracts the local pelicans every morning at 10am and is a must-see for the whole family. Sun and sea lovers will appreciate Margate and Suttons Beach, while the Settlement Cove Lagoon is a tropical-themed water playground featuring picnic areas and a wading pool for the children.
Another historical icon, the Redcliffe Jetty, is the ideal spot to take a short stroll, or to wet a line. A few minutes further on lies Scarborough, the award-winning park precinct featuring the Railway Place and Pirate Place playgrounds - a child's idea of heaven.
The final section of the drive takes you to the Scarborough Boat Harbour, Redcliffe's commercial fishing headquarters and the ideal place for a seafood feast while watching the marina traffic pass Oyster Point on the way to the bay.
To return to the city, drive along Oxley Avenue, parallel to the peninsula, to Anzac Avenue. Follow the signs north to the Bruce Highway, or south along the Gateway Motorway.
Explore the gentle rolling fields and farmlands of rural Pine Rivers and escape the rush of the city. Take a leisurely drive between Samford and Dayboro and further on to Ocean View, enjoying the country landscape, herds of grazing cattle, magnificent old Queenslander houses, the brooding D'Aguilar Ranges, and the Glasshouse Mountains.
Visit the heritage villages of Samford and Dayboro, and browse the art and craft shops, galleries and restaurants. Stay a little longer and enjoy horse-riding, bush walking or a leisurely picnic.
Once you reach the Mount Mee State Forest, visit the Falls Lookout and enjoy the spectacular views over Somerset and Wivenhoe lakes.
Getting There:
Take Kelvin Grove, Enoggera or Samford Road, following it until it becomes Mount Samson Road. Continue through Samford and Mount Samson, on go to Dayboro, Mount Pleasant, Ocean View and Mount Mee.
Just eight minutes from the city, Sir Samuel Griffith Drive takes a circuitous route through the Mount Coot-tha Forest, winding past picturesque barbecue and picnic sites to the city's premier lookout, which boasts breathtaking views during the day and Brisbane's glittering cityscape at night.
There are extensive facilities at the summit, including wide viewing platforms, coin-operated telescopes, manicured gardens, a gift shop, cafe, and restaurant.
The entire Mount Coot-tha area is a natural reserve featuring a number of moderate to steep walks throughout the Mt Coot-tha Forest. The open eucalypt forest is home to a range of wildlife, and a huge variety of bird species.
Visit the J C Slaughter Falls Park where a moderate walk will lead you to the semi-rainforest shrouded falls. An Aboriginal art trail adjacent to this walk allows you to view indigenous art blended into the environment.
At the base of the mountain, the Mount Coot-tha Botanic Gardens and the Sir Thomas Brisbane Planetarium host a range of free and low cost activities suited to the entire family.
Getting there:
Take Samuel Griffith Drive from Simpsons Road at Bardon, or Mount Coot-tha Road off the Western Freeway.
From the city, take the Story Bridge southbound. Turn left onto Shaftson Avenue, which becomes Wynnum Road, then follow the signs on into Wynnum. Once in Wynnum, turn onto Wynnum North Road, straight through the Tingal Road-Pritchard Road roundabout to Elanora Park on the edge of Moreton Bay.
The Wynnum Mangrove Boardwalk follows a storybook trail that teaches the role of the mangroves, and their importance to the area and the seafood industry. The boardwalk links up to the Wynnum North bird hide, where you can watch the birdlife feeding, socialising and resting, without disturbing them.
Head to Pandanus Beach for a refreshing swim or take the kids for a paddle in the wading pool adjacent to the children's water play area. If you feel a bit more energetic, hire a bike from the Wynnum Manly Visitor Information Centre and explore the esplanade from Wynnum to Lota.
Once you have worked up an appetite, grab some fish and chips from any of the quality takeaway stores along the esplanade, and enjoy, taking in the spectacular views along the foreshore. Alternatively, the Manly Harbour Village offers a great mix of cafes, restaurants and an interesting variety of craft shops, art galleries and speciality stores in which to browse. The Manly Hotel offers succulent food and toe-tapping music, to be enjoyed in their outdoor beer garden. After lunch, take a stroll around the Manly Boat Harbour - the 'jewel in the crown' of Wynnum Manly.
Once back in the car, take Manly Road towards Capalaba, turning onto Green Camp Road, then Rickertt Road, onto Quarry Road and under the railway bridge onto Birkdale Road, which leads you to Main Road. Turn left out along Wellington Point, enjoying the fantastic views across Waterloo Bay, and continue to the Manly Boat Harbour and the Morteon Bay Marine Park.
Wellington Point is a great spot for fishing, boating and adventurous water sports such as jetskiing, windsurfing and kite surfing. At low tide, take a walk out on the sand spit to nearby tiny King Island and explore this unique conservation area, or spot dolphins and turtles in the surrounding waters and mangroves.
Along the esplanade, massive Moreton Bay Fig trees provide a natural playground for children who like to climb, and there are ample picnic facilities to enjoy a sunset barbecue.
The Boonah Shire nestles admist World Heritage listed country to the southwest of Brisbane, and boasts a fantastic range of recreational activities. A premier agricultural district, the Boonah Shire boasts many award-winning producers of quality wines, olives, preserves, and natural cosmetics.
Visit Mt Frazer Olives, tour the groves, sample fresh olives and oil at their source, or just relax in the wide open spaces. For wine buffs, Normanby Wines at Harrisville grow the grapes for their award-winning wines on site, and have a number of varieties to taste at their cellar door, including Verdelho, Durif, Chaumbourcin and Veraz. Kooroomba Vineyards and Lavender Farm features a cellar door, restaurant and lavender shop, all overlooking a vineyard and breathtaking lavender field, fringed by magnificent views of the Scenic Rim mountains.
Wander amongst the beautiful rose gardens at Barton's Rose Farm at Kalbar, or enjoy Devonshire tea while you relax under the shade of ancient jacaranda trees. Explore the park-like grounds, uncovering rustic old sheds and towering bamboo on the way to the picturesque creek.
If you're searching for a great coffee, you can't go past Flavours Cafe at Boonah. But to really experience good old country hospitality, the Royal Hotel at Roadvale and Kalbar, The Peak Pub, and the Dugandan Hotel at Boonah will serve you an icy cold beer and a hearty pub meal, at reasonable prices.
Moogerah Peaks National Park is a favourite for bushwalkers. The North Cliff Track takes about 15 muinutes return and visits a clifftop lookout over the Fassifern Valley, the Main Range and Flinders Peak. The East Cliff Circuit features a natural lookout with views of Tamborine Lamington and Mount Barney, and takes less than half an hour.
Those who are up to a challenge will enjoy the walk from Mount Greville Road, which encompasses the magnificent Waterfall Gorge and great views of the dam and Mount Moon. The steep walk also takes you past spectacular Palm Gorge, a tropical haven of palms, staghorns and elkhorns.
For budding horticulturists and those who wish they had a green thumb, the wetlands and wildlife at the Wharkuroogma discount nursery, Roadvale, make every visit a wilderness experience. Specialising in Australian natives, the Bunburra Nursery at Boonah has a fabulous selection of unique flowering plants, hanging ferns and palms.
When you're ready to tackle the great outdoors, Outdoors and More in Boonah will be able to supply you with the equipment and the advice you need. Whether you'd like to try rockclimbing or hiking in the ranges, or hit the water on skis or in a kayak, they have all of your outdoor equipment needs. Lakes Moogerah and Maroon are ideal for fishing, sailing, canoeing and water-skiing.
If you fancy hunting for old treasures, there are a number of antique stores and fine furniture traders in the shire. Browse Aratula Traders, Kerkin Fine Furniture and Antiques on Railway at Boonah. Newer treasures can be found at the Boonah Cultural Centre and Art Gallery and the colourful Art and Soul Gallery, among others.
When it's time to wind down, take the lakeside drive along the 30km Lake Moogerah Road, which features beautiful views of the dam and gorge.
