Things to do with kids in Brisbane Bayside & the Redlands
The bayside is all about the water. At Wynnum, there's a tidal wading pool beside a free water park with spouting whales and a toddler area. At low tide, you can walk across a sand bar from Wellington Point to King Island; check the tide times first. Kids can climb the playground near the old lighthouse at Cleveland Point and watch for dolphins.
From Cleveland, the ferry takes 25 minutes to North Stradbroke Island. Cylinder Beach at Point Lookout has calm, sheltered water for families, and the Gorge Walk around the headland is one of the best places in the state to see turtles, dolphins and, in winter, whales. Inland, the tea-coloured water at Brown Lake has picnic spots on the shore.
For a shorter boat trip, the ferry to Coochiemudlo Island from Victoria Point takes ten minutes. On Sundays, kids can explore the hidden fort at Fort Lytton at the mouth of the river.
60 family outings, waterfalls and walks across the region, sorted by drive time from Capalaba. Choose your suburb at the top to sort from where you are staying.
✓ Everything
Free · 35
Sensory-friendly · 1
Wheelchair access · 1
Top things to do in Bayside & Redlands
Paddle in the calm shallows at Cylinder Beach
Queensland Parks says Cylinder Beach's sheltered inshore water is perfect for families, while surfers ride the point off the headland. The passenger ferry from Toondah Harbour in Cleveland takes 25 minutes to Dunwich. From there, drive or catch the island bus to Point Lookout.
25 min passenger ferry from Cleveland (Toondah Harbour) to Dunwich, then the island bus or a drive to Point Lookout
Swimming spot · Cylinder Beach
Photo: KookieBlinkArmy, CC BY-SA 4.0
Spot whales from the Gorge Walk
This gentle walk around the Point Lookout headland is a good place to look for turtles, dolphins and manta rays. From June to November, humpback whales pass close to the shore. The walk also looks south along Main Beach, the island's patrolled surf beach.
25 min passenger ferry from Cleveland (Toondah Harbour) to Dunwich, then the island bus or a drive to Point Lookout
Walk · North Gorge headland walk
Photo: Rodandersen, CC BY 3.0
Wade in the bay at Wynnum
The tidal Wynnum Wading Pool sits on the bay beside Pandanus Beach and the foreshore path. Next to it, Wynnum Aqua Park has water-spouting whales, a tipping bucket and a toddler area with a bubbling stream. The water play isn't under cover, so pack hats, sunscreen and rash shirts.
about 15 min
Swimming spot · Wynnum Wading Pool
Photo: Kerry Raymond, CC BY 4.0
Cross the sand bar to King Island
At low tide, a sand bar appears off Wellington Point and leads to tiny King Island. The easy walk is about 2 kilometres return, so check tide times before you set out. The recreation reserve on the point is a favourite local picnic spot.
about 15 min
Walk · King Island walk, Wellington Point
Photo: Chris Olszewski, CC BY-SA 4.0
Take the short ferry to Coochiemudlo
Coochiemudlo Island is ten minutes by passenger ferry from Masters Avenue at Victoria Point. The island is only five square kilometres, fringed with bushland, so it suits an easy family day trip. Its name means 'red rock'.
passenger and vehicle ferries from the Victoria Point jetty (Amity Trader)
Island · Coochiemudlo Island
Photo: Kgbo, CC BY-SA 4.0
Picnic beside tea-coloured Bummiera
Bummiera (Brown Lake) is 3.5km from Dunwich along Alfred Martin Way, with picnic facilities by the water. Its tea colour comes from the leaves of the paperbarks and tea trees around it. Families can walk around the lake on fire tracks and look for birds and wildflowers.
25 min passenger ferry from Cleveland (Toondah Harbour) to Dunwich, then a short drive
Lake · Bummiera (Brown Lake)
Photo: S. Newrick, CC BY-SA 4.0
Explore a hidden fort at Fort Lytton
Built in 1881, Fort Lytton is a five-sided fortress tucked behind grassy banks on the Brisbane River. It opens every Sunday, for a guided tour or a wander at your own pace. Bring a portable gas barbecue for the riverside picnic area, as open fires aren't allowed.
about 20 min
Museum · Fort Lytton Museum
Photo: Commander Keane, Public domain
Watch for dolphins off Cleveland Point
Cleveland Point looks across Moreton Bay to North Stradbroke Island and the southern islands. Kids can climb the marine-themed playground near the old wooden lighthouse, and there are shaded picnic areas. Bottlenose and Indo-Pacific humpback dolphins are often seen in the water off the point.
about 15 min
Lookout · Cleveland Point
Photo: Kgbo, CC BY-SA 4.0
Follow Tingalpa Creek through Venman Bushland
This signposted 2.5 km circuit runs beside Tingalpa Creek in Venman Bushland National Park, Mount Cotton. Allow about an hour and a half, and walk it clockwise as the markers direct. Koalas, possums and wallabies live in this forest.
about 15 min
Walk · Tingalpa Creek Circuit
Photo: Shiftchange, CC0
Entry tickets
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SparkLab, Queensland Museum
Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary
Dreamworld
Infinity Attraction
Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary
Everything on the map
Over the border
Nearest first, from Capalaba
Beaches and islands
Over 30 minutes
from Capalaba
Waterfalls, lakes and swimming
Walks and lookouts
Big playgrounds
Play
Museums and history
Libraries, cinemas and theatres
Over 30 minutes
from Capalaba
Gardens and science
Also in this region, more than 4 hours from Capalaba
Elsewhere in the region (passenger and vehicle ferries from the Victoria Point jetty (Amity Trader)): Coochiemudlo Island
Coochiemudlo Island (passenger and vehicle ferries from the Victoria Point jetty (Amity Trader)): Coochiemudlo Island Community Library
Drive times are estimated from the distance, so treat them as a guide. Tap a card for the full page.
Region boundary: ABS Tourism Regions 2021 (Tourism Research Australia), CC BY 4.0. Outings from OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL) and venues' own listings; nature spots from OpenStreetMap and park services.