By Ashleigh Howarth
With the cost of living continuing to put pressure on household budgets, families and locals are looking for ways to make the most of their weekends without spending a fortune.
Luckily, you don’t have to travel far to find a great day out, as the Redlands Coast is packed with beaches, islands, tracks and trails, surfing and fishing spots, playgrounds, wildlife encounters, history and cultural experiences that are free or low cost.
For families looking for an easy win, a beach day is hard to beat - and there are plenty to choose from right here without battling the traffic on the M1 Motorway. Throw out the towel, take a refreshing dip and let the kids loose with a bucket and spade at Raby Bay Foreshore Park, Main Beach on Coochiemudlo Island, Cylinder Beach on Minjerribah (North Stradbroke Island), Dalpura Beach on Macleay Island or King Island at Wellington Point.
And if you want to turn your beach day into a little adventure, time your visit to Wellington Point at low tide and make the walk across the sand bridge to King Island. The 2km return walk is an easy stroll for families, with shallow water to paddle through and plenty of opportunities to spot wildlife along the way.
The walk out to King Island. Image supplied by Redland City Council.
Keen to ride the waves? Main Beach and Cylinder Beach on North Stradbroke Island are popular spots for surfers and bodyboarders. Once you’ve had your fill of saltwater, swap the board for your walking shoes and tackle the 1.2km Gorge Walk at Point Lookout, which winds around the rocky outcrops with jaw-dropping ocean views and plenty of chances to spot dolphins, turtles and other marine life.
If you’d rather keep moving on land, lace up the runners or dust off the bike and hit one of the region’s network of tracks and trails. Redlands Track Park, Bayview Conservation Area, Eastern Escarpment Conservation Area, Ford Road Conservation Area and Venman Bushland National Park are all great places to stretch the legs and explore.
Cyclists can also make the most of sections of the Moreton Bay Cycleway, while horse riders have plenty of trails to discover too.
Prefer your adventures at a slower pace? Grab the fishing rods and head to the water. With bream, flathead and whiting among the species you might reel in, there’s plenty to keep keen anglers busy. And even if the fish aren’t cooperating, a few quiet hours beside the water is still a pretty good way to spend an afternoon.
For a nature-filled outing, make a beeline for Redlands IndigiScapes Centre where you can explore the Native Botanic Gardens and see what flora and fauna you can spot along the way. There’s also a Discovery Centre where little explorers can get hands-on with the natural world.
Gorge Walk on North Stradbroke Island. Image supplied by Redland City Council.
Speaking of kids, you don’t need an expensive attraction to wear them out. Thornlands Community Park, Raby Esplanade Park, Jingeri Park, Apex Park and Casuarina Park all offer plenty of room to run, climb, play and burn off some of that never-ending energy.
And when the Queensland heat starts getting a little too much, take the fun indoors.
For a dose of creativity, head to the Redland Art Gallery. It’s an easy way to spend an hour or two discovering new artists, ideas and exhibitions. Keep an eye on the gallery’s program too, with artist talks, workshops and family-friendly activities regularly adding something extra to the calendar.
Curious about the stories behind the place you call home? The Redlands Museum has more than 20,000 artefacts, documents, images and exhibitions bringing the region’s history to life, making it an easy way to learn and explore at the same time.
Local libraries are another budget-friendly option, regularly hosting free activities including story time, crafts, LEGO, STEM and tech sessions and Makerspace activities for kids of all ages, with something happening every day!
So, before you reach for the credit card, take a look around - The Redlands Coast is proof that you don’t have to spend big to have a big day out.
This story was written for The Community Leader Redlands, with images generously supplied by Redland City Council.
Cleveland Point Lookout. Image supplied by Redland City Council.