Calm beaches

Tangalooma Beach, Moreton Island/Mulgumpin

South of Bulwer and Cowan, Tangalooma Beach stretches 8 km from the Tangalooma Wrecks, a cluster of ships scuttled by the Queensland Government between 1963 and 1984. Coral is starting to form in and around the wrecks, providing a haven for over 100 species of fish, dolphins, wobbegongs and dugongs, making it the perfect spot for snorkelling, kayaking and swimming. Tangalooma is the perfect destination for a day trip or a longer stay; there is plenty to see and do!

Bulwer, Moreton Island/Mulgumpin

On the western side of Moreton Island/Mulgumpin, the beach in front of Bulwer offers the tiniest of lapping waves on the shoreline. The clear blue water and white sandy beaches makes it ideal for swimming, and the old Bulwer Wrecks make for a great day out fishing and snorkelling.

Pumicestone Passage, Bribie Island

Pumicestone Passage is an ocean channel that runs between Bribie Island and the mainland. It is home to plenty of bird and marine life and is the perfect spot to swim in calm, cool, blue water. Set up camp at Sylvan Beach which offers a boat ramp, barbecues and facilities to enjoy a full day out on the island..

Bongaree Beach, Bribie Island

Also facing Pumicestone Passage, Bongaree Beach is a favourite among locals and travellers. This spot is particularly popular with families, offering gentle waters and lots of areas to play. 

Adams Beach, North Stradbroke Island/Minjerribah

A popular holiday destination, Adams Beach is perfect for boating enthusiasts, anglers and families. 

Surf beaches

Cylinder Beach, North Stradbroke Island/Minjerribah

Cylinder Beach is one of the most popular surfing beaches on North Stradbroke Island/Minjerribah – patrolled 365 days a year and with a gentle wave that’s great for swimmers, body surfers and body boarders. If you want to hit the waves, head to North Stradbroke Island Learn to Surf School and you’ll be up on the board in no time.

Frenchman’s Beach, North Stradbroke Island/Minjerribah

Best in winter thanks to the westerly winds, Frenchman's Beach is for confident surfers, not swimmers, though you might enjoy spotting marine life in the rock pools. Take your board down the 200 stairs and catch a wave. This beach is not patrolled by lifeguards.

Main Beach, North Stradbroke Island/Minjerribah

Near Cylinder Beach, Main Beach gets larger, more powerful waves for strong swimmers and surfers. With good breaks over the outer bay and easy access via the northern rip channel, this beach is best on a low to moderate swell and west to north-west winds. It’s also a popular patrolled swimming spot and safe for all members of the family. At 32 km long, it’s the island’s biggest beach.

Surfside, Moreton Island/Mulgumpin

Ironically named ‘surfside’ by locals, this 27 km strip on the eastern side of Moreton Island/Mulgumpin is one for the more experienced. The waves may not be much to surf, but the rips are strong, and no lifeguards patrol the beach.

Honeymoon Bay, Moreton Island/Mulgumpin

Lying between the rocky Cape Moreton and North Point – home to the Champagne Pools – is where you will find Honeymoon Bay, a picturesque half-moon-shaped, 50m-wide beach. Facing east, this beach gets 1 to 1.5 m waves and is hazardous to swim due to rips and being surrounded by high rock bluffs. We recommend sticking to the sand on this one!

Ocean Beach, Woorim, Bribie Island

Bribie Island’s famed Ocean Beach is renowned as one of the best surf beaches in the region. Just a short drive north of Brisbane, this is a popular spot for locals and visitors alike. If you’d like to learn to surf, Bribie Island Surf School can get you started with a lesson. If you’re just swimming, always stay between the flags so the lifeguards can keep an eye on you. 

Sandgate–Brighton foreshore, Sandgate 

Just a 35-minute drive from Brisbane City and a great spot for fish ‘n’ chips, the Sandgate–Brighton foreshore is perfect. This is a beautiful spot to watch soldier crabs scuttle across the flats when the tide is out or to walk your four-legged friends along the promenade. 

Lower Moora Park, Shorncliffe

Just south of Sandgate and right next to the Shorncliffe Pier is Lower Moora Park, a great bayside beach and park for the little ones. Home to an excellent adventure playground, the still water and sandy bayside beach is perfect for a splash, with barbecue and picnic facilities nearby.

Suttons Beach, Redcliffe

Enjoy a cost-free day out filled with sun and sand at the patrolled Suttons Beach, ideal for little ones or for a gentle paddle due to its small waves. There are beach showers, barbecues and lifeguards on summer weekends.

Dog beaches

Raby Bay Foreshore Park, Cleveland

Raby Bay Foreshore Park is dog central. Pups love to run and splash about with each other in the shallows of the bayside, so you’re guaranteed a fun day out for all members of the family.

Colmslie Beach Reserve, Bulimba

The Colmslie Beach Reserve is a dog park and riverside beach just a few quick kilometres from Brisbane City. Let your furry friend run through the shallows of the river before settling down for a family barbecue.

Nudgee Beach, Nudgee 

Nudgee Beach is a favourite spot for northside residents. Bordered by wetlands with a picnic area and bike tracks to explore, this is a great way to start or end your working day.

Red Beach, Bribie Island

Popular with locals and pets, Red Beach is one of the few off-leash beaches in the area. This area features a white sandy off-leash beach coupled with a child- and dog-friendly swimming spot. There are great views of Moreton Island and it is known as a great spot for viewing dolphins and other marine life.

Flinders Beach, North Stradbroke Island/Minjerribah

Accessible only by 4WD and adventure lovers, Flinders Beach sits perfectly between Amity Point and Point Lookout, stretching 4.6 km. Remember to keep your pooch on a leash on this beach, and buckle up for the incredible drive on the sand. Head to Home Beach if you're looking for an off-leash location. 

Beach-style lagoons

Settlement Cove, Redcliffe

This seaside paradise is a hit with all ages. Young children can play in Settlement Cove’s shallow wading pools while older kids and adults can enjoy the deeper pools. Enjoy a full day out in this 95 m, built beach paradise, open all year round, even in the colder months.

Orion Lagoon, Ipswich

Cool off on those hotter Brisbane days in the freshwater of Orion Lagoon. Situated within the Robelle Domain parklands, this large public lagoon has pools and aqua-play features and is monitored by lifeguards at certain times of the day.

Streets Beach, South Bank

Located in the heart of Brisbane, South Bank’s Streets Beach is a fun lagoon pool with extended opening hours and regular lifeguard patrols. Lie on the soft sandy beach, cut laps in the Boat Pool or watch the kids play in the Aquativity playground.

Wynnum Wading Pool, Wynnum 

The Wynnum Wading Pool is a heritage-listed tidal pool that was built in the 1930s. Children love to splash about in the shallow pool or nearby aqua-playground. Follow the promenade along the water to Manly Marina and stop at one of the many spots for lunch or a drink along the way.