Southern Moreton Bay Tourist Drive
Mainland and islands
For a great day out, follow the dugong!
The Southern Moreton Bay Tourist Drive is clearly marked with brown and white dugong symbols. The 78-km drive leads motorists to many colourful precincts, each with its own character and personality.
You can get to the Southern Moreton Bay Tourist Drive from Gateway Motorway in the north or Pacific Motorway in the south.
From the northern turnoff, take Wynnum Road to Manly. View the historical fort at Lytton and take a walk on the mangrove boardwalk in Wynnum. Enjoy beautiful harbour views from the Esplanade at Manly.
Head to Wellington Point via Thorneside, a residential suburb with charming post-war homes. Architecture buffs should divert from Rickertt Road to view fibro and chamferboard cottages sitting beside contemporary-designed residences.
At Wellington Point, a tree-lined retail and restaurant precinct awaits. Turn left off the drive and head for the Point. It's a favourite weekend picnic and fishing spot with its picturesque wooden jetty and playground. At low tide, you can walk from the shore across to King Island.
From there, follow the drive to Ormiston, turning into Wellington Street which will take you to two special locations: Ormiston House and Beckwith Street Conservation Reserve.
The end of Beckwith Street is home to Ormiston’s own version of the 'secret garden’ - a nature conservation reserve which is home to a permanent koala colony. Take the short Eucalpyt walk and try to spot a koala. Call Koala Watch on 07-3824 8611 if you see one. There is a draw for koala spotters every two months to win great prizes.
Keep driving up Wellington Street, past St Andrew’s Church (c.1868) to Ormiston House (c. 1860s). This homestead is regarded as one of the finest examples of colonial architecture in Queensland. It is open for inspections and Devonshire teas on Sundays from noon to 4pm between March and November. For more details, call 07-3286 1425. Entry is $4 (adults) and $1 (children).
Next port of call is the Cleveland Heritage Precinct. Stop in at the Redlands on Moreton Bay Visitor Information Centre for regional brochures and expert visitor advice. Drop by the museum, art gallery, Cleveland Lighthouse and if you have time, take a ferry to North Stradbroke Island.
The Black Swamp Wetlands has a fascinating eco-system and abundant birdlife. There are boardwalks and interpretive signs. Catch the spectacle of hundreds of flying foxes at dusk.
From Cleveland, travel to Victoria Point where you can choose between bushland and sea. If you feel like a swim, park at Victoria Point and catch the ferry to Coochiemudlo Island. It is just a short cross-water trip.
But if you prefer to stay on the mainland, there's plenty for nature lovers to explore such as Eprapah Environmental Centre (Colburn Avenue), Egret Colony Wetlands and Point Halloran Conservation Area (Orana Street).
After Victoria Point, meander through farmlands - the 'salad bowl' of Queensland. At Redland Bay, you can catch passenger and vehicular ferries to the Southern Bay Islands from Weinam Creek Commuter Facility.
Then it is time to turn west and head into the hinterland, Mt Cotton. The drive leads you to Rainforest Gardens on Mt View Road and local winery Sirromet. Visit the Venman Bushland National Park which has walking trails, picnic tables and wood barbeques. The park is part of the Koala Bushland Coordinated Conservation Area.
The Southern Moreton Bay Tourist Drive exits at the Pacific Motorway. It is 50km to the Gold Coast from there.