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Good news. You don’t need to tackle an epic Australian road trip to find surf beaches, calm bays, island adventures, fresh seafood and plenty happening all summer long.
Moreton Bay is just north of Brisbane, making it an easy place to turn a family visit into a proper Queensland summer holiday.
So pack the jandals, rally the whānau and let your Aussie cuzzies show you how summer is done in Moreton Bay.
Bribie Island is about as easy as island escapes get - no ferry timetable required.
Cross the bridge and spend the day swimming, surfing or strolling Woorim Beach, explore the calmer waters of Pumicestone Passage, hire a kayak or take things up a notch with a 4WD adventure.
Then find somewhere by the water, order something cold and settle in. Sweet as.
You’ve crossed the Tasman and landed in Moreton Bay. Getting on the water is basically compulsory.
Kayak the calm waters around Bribie Island, try stand-up paddleboarding, hire a boat or head out on an adventure across the bay.
Best of all, you probably won’t need to spend the first five minutes insisting the water is ‘actually quite warm once you’re in’.
Sure, your Queensland cuzzies might have planned a barbecue and a few beach days. But if you want to level up your summer holiday, it's worth heading out and into the water.
Join Dolphin Wild Island Cruises for a snorkelling adventure among the beautiful islands of Moreton Bay, where warm waters, marine life and island scenery combine for a day that's about as Queensland as it gets.
Whether you're a seasoned snorkeller or giving it a go for the first time, it's a chance to experience a side of Moreton Bay that's best seen below the surface.
Trust us, it'll make for a much better holiday story than telling everyone how many prawns you ate at Christmas lunch.
Nothing says Queensland summer quite like seafood by the water.
Head to Redcliffe for fish and chips overlooking the bay, try a Moreton Bay bug, grab a table at a waterfront pub or settle in for a seafood feast around Sandstone Point or Bribie Island.
Your cuzzies’ backyard BBQ can wait.
If you’re visiting over New Year’s, this one’s a biggie.
From 27 December to 1 January, Woodford Folk Festival transforms Woodfordia into a temporary village filled with music, comedy, circus, workshops, performances and plenty of characters.
Camp for the full experience or head along for the day. Either way, it’s one memorable way to send off the old year and welcome the new.
Love your whānau. Also love shutting your own bedroom door at night? Fair enough.
From waterfront stays around Redcliffe and Bribie Island to hinterland cottages and farm stays, there are plenty of places to call home - close enough to spend plenty of time with the cuzzies, but not so close you’re fighting over the bathroom every morning.
Here’s the local tip your Moreton Bay cuzzies should tell you: summer mornings are where it’s at.
Catch sunrise over the bay, walk the Redcliffe foreshore before the day heats up, grab a coffee and breakfast, then hit the beach.
By the time everyone else is deciding what to do, you’ll already have a sunrise, swim, walk and flat white under your belt.
You can’t come to Australia and go home without delivering at least one kangaroo sighting.
Join G’Day Adventure Tours and head out in search of roos in the wild while exploring Moreton Bay along the way. It’s an Aussie holiday box ticked - and much better than yelling ‘ROO!’ as you fly past one in the car.
You might back the Warriors across the ditch, but in Moreton Bay you can become one.
Hit Aqua Warrior at Redcliffe and race your cuzzies across the giant inflatable water park, climbing, jumping, sliding and inevitably ending up in the drink.
Loser buys the fish and chips.
Consider this an important lesson in Australian culture.
Head to Hip Hops Brewers in Brendale, grab a tasting paddle or order a proper schooner and settle in for an afternoon sampling locally brewed beers.
Just don’t get drawn into a Trans-Tasman debate about what size a beer should actually be.
If you crossed the ditch with a suspiciously half-empty suitcase, we know exactly what you’re doing.
Browse Redcliffe’s fashion, homewares and gift boutiques between coffees by the bay, or head to Westfield North Lakes when some serious retail therapy is required.
Just remember: you still have to get it all home.
Kiwis might love their seafood, but Australians take things to another level at Christmas.
Come Christmas Eve, joining the queue for prawns, oysters and fresh seafood is practically a national rite of passage. Head to Morgan’s Seafood at Scarborough with your cuzzies, stock up for the Christmas Day table and see how festive feasting is done on this side of the ditch.
And yes, buying far too many prawns is part of the tradition.
Before you fly, check what’s happening at Sandstone Point Hotel.
The waterfront venue has a revolving line-up of concerts, festivals and big-name acts - even Kiwi legends Crowded House have taken the stage. Spend the day exploring Bribie Island, then head back across the bridge for a sunset gig by the water.
You’ve crossed the ditch to see the whānau. You may as well make a proper Queensland summer holiday of it.
Swim, paddle, feast, shop, catch a gig, tick off a kangaroo sighting or simply find a spot by the water and settle in for the afternoon.
Because the best thing about visiting your Aussie cuzzies? Having someone local to show you around.
And the second best thing?
Discovering their backyard is pretty choice.
So, download the official Kiwi Cuzzy Guide, pack the jandals and start planning your trip.
Moreton Bay starts just north of Brisbane, so you don’t need to add an epic Aussie road trip to the itinerary. Depending on where you’re headed, you can be exploring the region within around 30 minutes of Brisbane Airport.
We’d recommend one. Moreton Bay covers beaches, bayside towns, islands and hinterland communities, so having your own wheels makes it much easier to explore at your own pace. Plus, if you’ve got Aussie cuzzies nearby, this is their chance to earn their keep as designated tour guide.
Yep. Bribie Island is connected to the mainland by bridge, so you can simply drive across. No ferry bookings, no timetables, no dramas.
Keep it easy: togs, jandals, lightweight clothes, a hat and plenty of sunscreen. Add something a little nicer for waterfront dinners or a gig, and leave some suitcase space for anything you pick up along the way.
Absolutely. Beach days, calm-water adventures, wildlife encounters, Aqua Warrior, markets, parks and easy day trips mean there’s plenty to keep the whole whānau occupied.
Start with a Moreton Bay bug, get out on the water, swim at one of the beaches, spot a kangaroo in the wild and order a schooner at a local brewery or pub.
And if you’re here at Christmas, join the locals in buying enough prawns to feed approximately twice as many people as will actually be at lunch.
Plenty. Summer brings festivals, live music, markets, waterfront events and major experiences across the region. If you’re visiting around New Year’s, Woodford Folk Festival is a big one, while Sandstone Point Hotel regularly hosts concerts and events throughout the season.
Definitely. Moreton Bay is close enough to Brisbane to make catching up with the cuzzies easy, but staying in the region turns the trip into a Queensland holiday too. Think morning swims, waterfront accommodation and your own bathroom at the end of the day.
Love the whānau. Love them even more after a good night’s sleep.
Despite the name, it’s not something you need to chase out of the beach. A Moreton Bay bug is local seafood and something well worth adding to the Queensland eating list while you’re here.
Start with the official Kiwi Cuzzy Guide. It’s packed with ideas to help turn a trip across the ditch to see the cuzzies into a proper summer escape.
Discover the hidden gems and sun-soaked adventures waiting for you in Moreton Bay. Just up the road from Brisbane, our region is where the coast meets hinterland adventure, and the laid-back Queensland lifestyle takes centre stage.
