Walk From Margate To Redcliffe Jetty, Queensland. Australia

Today’s walk was from the seaside village just 25 minutes from home, Margate to Redcliffe’s jetty.

Margate boasts the longest mainland stretch of sand beach together with a trendy two-kilometre redeveloped timber boardwalk, which hugs the shores of the Moreton Bay Marine Park. With spectacular views of Moreton Island, it's no wonder Margate is popular with walkers and cyclists. To the northern end of the beach sits the quaint Scotts Point swimming pavilion built in 1937 which gives an insight into the popular beach life of a bygone era, along with a wonderful position to take a dip.

We started our walk from the car park at Scotts Point, where a couple of years ago the Moreton Bay Regional Council installed new parking signs to curb the number of people sleeping overnight in a car park, which seem to have no effect these days.

Moving on and adding to the pleasant ambience are the many ancient Norfolk Pines that line the Esplanade along Margate, Redcliffe. These serve to remind us of the first settlers on the Redcliffe Peninsula who had the forethought to plant seedlings more than 150 years ago. This lengthy beach can be quite peaceful and quiet during the week, but come the weekend and suddenly the sands are packed with families and sunseekers eager to soak up the rays and enjoy a dip.

Towards the south end of the boardwalk you can locate a small boat ramp and a few fitness stations. Moving forward we hit Suttons Beach, which is another of the Redcliffe peninsula's gorgeous family-friendly destinations, great for a day trip from Brisbane. The beach park stretches for about a kilometre, hugging the shoreline the entire distance. Pagodas covering picnic tables and barbecues are spaced throughout and there are plenty of grassy areas to set up a blanket under the magnificent pine trees which line much of Redcliffe's coast line.

The path extends along the beach and continues from either end of the park, south along the Margate boardwalk or north to the Settlement Cove Lagoon and the city centre. We then pass a gigantic tropical sea front pool nestled at the base of Redcliffe’s cliffs. Settlement Cove Lagoon overlooks Moreton Bay on Redcliffe’s foreshore with amazing views looking out onto Moreton Island. Dogs are only allowed to transit through the lagoon area on a leash, they are not permitted to stay so our next stop is Redcliffe Jetty.

Redcliffe Jetty is one of the Moreton Bay Region's most identifiable landmarks, becoming an iconic part of Redcliffe peninsula's landscape since its construction in 1885. The Redcliffe Jetty is home to the very popular Redcliffe Jetty Markets held every Sunday from 8am until midday. During this period, Redcliffe Parade is closed to vehicles and the street is awash with fresh produce, handmade goodies, exotic imports, delicious food stalls and one-of-a-kind finds that make for wonderful gifts. The Jetty was our turning around point and we headed back the same way we arrived, passing again Settlement Cove, Suttons Beach and finishing Scotts Park.