There’s no excuse for starting 2023 like a sloth with so much on our doorstep! Whether it’s a cheeky brunch, a beachside stroll, or lunch at a hinterland eatery, there should be something to suit your taste. Do dust off the cobwebs and let’s get started!
For the early risers
Locals and tourists alike are spoilt for choice when it comes to choosing places to watch the sunrise. Here are a couple of options:
Beachmere
- Beachmere Conservation Park. Families can start the day watching a beautiful sunrise and stay on to play with the children on the beach creating long-lasting memories. Tiny soldier crabs can be seen scuttling along the mud flats at low tide.
Bribie Island
- Red Beach. This beach is dog-friendly. This area is considered part of the ‘surf-side’ of Bribie Island but it doesn’t have the big waves usually found at Woorim Beach, making it a great location to take a swim with your dog at high tide.
- Woorim Beach. This beach is surrounded by national parks and natural beaches. It is a perfect place for families with barbecues, picnic areas, playground and skate park nearby.
Deception Bay
- Deception Bay Beach. After watching the dawn arrive, a walk along the waterfront can be wonderful. The esplanade has timber boardwalks, a cycleway, barbecues, viewing platforms and beautiful views of the bay which makes it an ideal spot for breakfast picnics.
Donnybrook
- Donnybrook Jetty. After catching the first sunrise of the new year, the Jetty is popular for fishing due to the proximity of Pumicestone Passage, which is a part of the Moreton Bay Marine Park. It is frequented by dolphins, dugongs and turtles.
Mount Mee
- Bulls Falls Lookout. This spot is nestled on the eastern side of the mountain ranges of D’Aguilar National Park. The panoramic view of the surrounding ridges and valleys of Mount Mee is ideal for watching the sunrise. With Caboolture to the north-east and Dayboro to the south-east, the Lookout is a delightful location to soak up the rural mountainous views of the Moreton Bay City.
- Dahmongah Lookout. Watching dawn break at this Lookout is highly recommended.
Mount Nebo
- Jolly’s Lookout. Visiting at sunrise will provide stunning views as this spot is set against a backdrop of the lush rainforest and eucalypt forest of Mount Nebo. A sweeping opening featuring barbecues, sheltered and exposed picnic tables. It includes a well-maintained toilet block with a baby change room. The lookout is wheelchair-accessible and offers a wonderful way to enjoy a lazy breakfast picnic with the family, friends or a loved one.
North Lakes
- Lake Eden. The Lake is surrounded by boardwalks, cafes, parks, and playgrounds. It is also home to loads of wildlife and a thriving ecosystem. Follow the scenic walkway that weaves its way around the lake and is popular with walkers and runners. Access via Lakefield Drive, North Lakes.
Redcliffe
- Redcliffe Jetty. This Jetty is one of the Moreton Bay City’s most recognisable landmarks, as part of Redcliffe peninsula’s landscape since its construction in 1885. It’s the perfect place for families to enjoy a day of relaxed fishing. Bait is available for purchase along Redcliffe Parade.
- Suttons Beach. The beach provides a fun splash in the small waves for the children and a refreshing dip for everyone else. There’s beach showers, free parking, grassy picnic areas, free barbecues, and winding bike paths.
For the families
Families are spoilt for choice when it comes to planning their outings. Here are a couple of options:
- Plan a day out on Bribie Island. Firstly, start with a swim in the calm waters at Bongaree beach, then try fishing on the jetty, or pop across to Brennan Park where a fun flying fox is located. For lunch, head to places that are open on New Year’s Day like The Golden Prawn, Scoopy’s Family Cafe or Sandstone Point Hotel. End the day relaxing at home with your family.
- Plan a day out in the hinterland. Firstly, start driving through Petrie to Dayboro and take morning tea there. Pay a visit at Hay Cottage Arts and Crafts (open 10am-3pm) as it’s filled with handmade treasures. If you’re four-wheel driving, cool off with a visit to Rocky Hole. If not, stop in at The Gantry to enjoy a delightful 20-30 minute stroll along Piccabeen walk – or challenge yourself with the Somerset Trail. Lastly, head for Mount Mee, where you’ll find the Pitstop Cafe (open 9am-3pm) before beginning your journey home.
For the adults
Grown ups are spoilt for choice when it comes to planning their outings. Here are a couple of options:
- Book in for brunch at Burpengary’s Basil and Vine. With pizzas to take you from breakfast to lunch and dinner, the café also offers an array of pastas, antipasto and sweet treats. Perfect for a gourmet grown-ups-only experience, it’s also a fabulous family-friendly venue. Try the Il Nonno (The Grandfather) – a spicy Napoli sauce with chilli, garlic and basil, served with gnocchi, or start the day with the breakfast pizza. It comes with Spanish onion, cherry tomato, bacon, baby spinach, capsicum, haloumi, parmesan and mozzarella cheese garnished with hollandaise and fresh herbs, and sitting in the centre is a portobello mushroom with an egg inside. Open 8am-2pm and again from 5-9pm on New Year’s Day.
- Annie Lane Bribie Island offers a brunch menu from 8am-2pm, featuring mouth-watering local and fresh produce. Think savoury mince with sourdough, poached eggs, melted cheese and basil hollandaise, banana split waffles or zesty avocado, blistered tomatoes, out-back dukkha, feta, pickled onion and pomegranate on toasted sourdough. There’s also gluten-free, keto, sugar-free, vegetarian and vegan options.
If you need further assistance with the resolutions, Moreton Bay City Life guide to starting the new year the right way can help!
Happy New Year
Looking for more from Moreton Bay City Life? Sign up for our newsletter!