The waterside town of Redcliffe, just 45 minutes north of Brisbane’s CBD, is a family’s paradise. Overlooking beautiful Moreton Bay, the Redcliffe peninsula is home to a myriad of beaches, parks, playgrounds, festivals and markets. Here’s our pick of the best family-friendly activities for your next day trip to Redcliffe.
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Enjoy the water at Redcliffe Lagoon
The Redcliffe Lagoon on Redcliffe’s foreshore is a wonderful family destination for swimming and water play. Located within the Settlement Cove recreational precinct, the saltwater lagoon is wheelchair and kid-friendly thanks to its graduated depth. Lifeguards are on duty, and there are picnic tables and BBQs as well as a playground and a kiosk selling ice cream and drinks. You can access the lagoon carpark from the roundabout at the corner of Anzac Avenue & Redcliffe Parade.
Time your visit with market day
The Redcliffe Jetty markets are held every Sunday from 8 am until 2 pm. Set right on the foreshore and next to the Anzac Place Parklands, this market is in a stunning location On offer is a great variety of fresh produce, homemade and speciality groceries, refreshments, quality arts and crafts, clothing and children’s toys. For families with fur babies, it’s great to know that the Redcliffe Jetty Markets are pet-friendly. And while you’re there, you can stroll along the sand, have a dip in the ocean, take the kids to play at the beachfront playgrounds or grab a bite to eat to enjoy by the seaside.
Take a trip down memory lane
Linking Redcliffe Parade with Sutton Street is a fascinating laneway named BeeGees Way. This unique walkway was designed in collaboration with Barry Gibb and commemorates the career of the Gibb brothers who formed the pop group and once lived in Redcliffe. This outdoor tribute features photographs, artwork, album covers and more. There are also life-sized statues of the Bee Gees, plus a video screen playing interviews, Bee Gees songs and other footage. Come here in the evening, and you can experience a light show set to the music of the Bee Gees’ greatest hits, every half hour from 7 pm until 9.30 pm.pelican
Eat out at The Belvedere
The Belvedere Restaurant (technically located at Woody Point) has a fantastic set of menus which provide breakfast, lunch and dinner options for the whole family. Children will love the outdoor playground which consists of climbing areas with slides and parents will love the fact that it is fenced in and shaded as well. Located central to the tables it makes it easy for parents to enjoy their meal while the kids play safely nearby. For slightly older children the indoor Arcade Games Room will probably be where they will spend most of their time. It sits across the road from Woody Point Jetty and Crockatt Park making for a popular choice for a lazy Sunday lunch with the family.
Visit the Redcliffe Museum
Free to enter and featuring a dedicated kids space, the Redcliffe Museum offers visitors the chance to step back into local history and understand the story of Redcliffe. The Imaginarium, which is the dedicated kids’ area is themed and filled with hands-on fun for kids. During term times they also have a free under ‘s session weekly. You can find out more via our Redcliffe Museum Review.
Attend an iconic Redcliffe event
Redcliffe Festival of Sails
The Redcliffe Festival of Sails – held annually over the Easter long weekend – is one of the region’s most popular events. Seaside enthusiasts come out in force, not only because the beach offers the best waterfront seats for Australia’s second-largest boat race, the Brisbane to Gladstone Yacht Race, but also for the other forms of fun entertainment the festival has to offer. A celebration of music, food, the Easter bunny and waterside fun – the Festival may be named for the race but that is really only where the party starts.
Redcliffe Kite Festival
The Redcliffe Kite Fest, held every June, features a program bursting with fun activities, roving performers, water shows and live entertainment for both young and old making it the perfect day out for any family. International and domestic kite flyers converge on Pelican Park to display their awe-inspiring kites. Kids can have a go at making their own kites, hang out in the Kidz Zone, catch a show on the main stage or check out the action in the Ocean Zone.
Redcliffe Show
Held every June/July, the Redcliffe Show has something for everyone. The program includes horse jumping, pig racing, woodchopping, amusement rides, show bags and fireworks! This event has been a family favourite for more than 70 years!
Take your pick of parks
Suttons Beach Park
A huge grassy area sits next to Suttons Playground. You can see the ocean in front and BBQs within this area as well as cafes further up the street and restaurants in the other direction.
The drawcard of Suttons Beach Park is its proximity to a truly lovely patrolled beach. The playground itself is completely fenced and features colourful play equipment. It isn’t as big as the other fort style playgrounds reviewed on our website, but playgrounds near the beach tend to be smaller because the beach tends to be the main attraction.
Rotary Park and Amity Playground
Rotary Park, otherwise known as Amity Playground, is partially fenced and includes swings, slides, a sandpit, a play ship, flying foxes, barbecues, seating and some great shady spots. It’s adjacent to the beach, which makes this the perfect destination for a picnic or afternoon of fish and chips and some playground fun. Perhaps tie this in with a spot of fishing and you have the perfect day out.
Redcliffe Parkour Park
The Redcliffe Parkour Park has 12 different challenges to tackle, including an angled wall, vault bars, boulders, modular block walls, balance beams, climbing frames and scalable poles. The idea of parkour is for the enthusiast to make their way around an area in the quickest, most efficient way possible. This is done by running, jumping, climbing, rolling, vaulting and leaping any obstacles in your way.
Pelican Park
Pelican Park, located as you exit the bridge into Clontarf, is a winner for families. There is a stretch of beach, two fenced playgrounds, a bike path, liberty swing, boat ramp and lots of pelicans! With sheltered tables, electric barbeques and a beautiful outlook, it is the ideal location to enjoy a picnic, a barbeque or some takeaway food from nearby cafes.
The first playground is also located close to the Liberty swing, boat ramp and sheltered eating area with barbeques. A narrow internal road links the playgrounds and the second playground, like the first, is fully fenced. It also has a sheltered barbeque area that overlooks the playground. On the third Sunday of every month, Pelican Park hosts the Redcliffe Kite Flying days. You can bring your kite, check out the workshops on how to make a kite, or enjoy watching the kites.
Crockatt Park
Being beside the sea, Crockatt Park is sure to inspire nautical-themed adventures. Take a walk or ride on bikes or scooters along the seaside pathways, have a paddle in the water or take some fishing rods and throw in a line.
The playground boasts a long flying fox, a climbing structure and an undercover playground suitable for all ages. You can either bring your own picnic, use the barbecue facilities or enjoy lunch at one of the many cafes within walking distance including The Belvedere Hotel.
Indoor fun for kids at Redcliffe
The Redcliffe Museum
The museum’s highlight for the little ones has to be the IMAGINARIUM. A designated kid’s space within the museum where children can explore, see, learn and create. There is always art and craft activities set up in this area, which tie in with the current displays. The theme of this area changes periodically. You will also learn all about the history of Redcliffe and can engage the kids in this learning by picking up a scavenger-style tick sheet from the front desk as you enter. The museum is open Tuesday to Sunday 10.00am – 4.00pm and is closed on Public Holidays. Entry is FREE.
For more day trip ideas, visit our comprehensive list of suggested day-trip itineraries and reviews.
David Cousens
Unfortunately not much help when its raining.
Ngaire Stirling
Hi David. Sorry we werent able to help and that there aren’t more things to do in Redcliffe on a rainy day. We have added the new Putt Putt course and the Redcliffe Museum to this listing for future readers.
Mac
Thanks for the Museum suggestion. Went there today with my 3 year old and spent over an hour there. It was very interesting and lots of things to interact with.
Ngaire Stirling
That is so wonderful to hear! Thanks for sharing!