The Queen's land!

This morning we decided to explore the northern coastal areas of Brisbane, we drove south from Bribie Island - with a quick interrupt for a "random breath test" - to Scarborough. Scarborough, like so many coastal areas in southern Queensland, has its share of canal housing, but it is quite established and not nearly as over the top as some other canal estates are. It is on Moreton Bay - famous for its " Moreton Bay bugs" - the popular crustacean and then of course the wonderful old Moreton Bay Fig Trees which are spread from the Atherton Tablelands near Cairns to the Illawarra Rainforests in NSW.

Fishing off Scarborough in Moreton Bay - with a backdrop of the hazy Glass House MountainsNext stop was Redcliffe, and its jetty. Lovely established coastal village, now maybe a suburb, with simple atmosphere - reminded me a little of Manly in Sydney some 40 years ago.

Redcliffe's old boardwalk and bath house

Its Jetty and beach

This lagoon (and many playgrounds) have been built on the waters edge at "Settlement Cove" in Redcliffe, fabulous facility for families. Not too many swimmers today though- it was quite nippy and windy. Walking from Settlement Cove back to the Redcliffe Jetty.

From Redcliffe we drove south through Margate onto Brighton, with one more quick interrupt for yet another "random breath test" at Woody Point. Brighton's Flinders Parade which runs along the beach front is lined with wonderful examples of the old Queensland architecture.

The Ole Queenslander is normally built on stilts

of timber, with flowing balconies

Ornate doors and filigree work

Some more colourful than others

but all charming

Brighton's waterfront church. Back to the Gold Coast and the Broadwater tomorrow to start all over again!