Deep-fried seafood and chips are best eaten while relaxing on the beach ... but if the gulls get to you then you can always stay in the many diners and eateries located at Wellington Point.
If you’re looking for an escape to paradise at sea, then check out Wellington Point in Australia’s Queensland. With its rich history, exquisite restaurants and cafés, and pristine beaches, it comes as no surprise that it is popular year-round as an ideal family attraction.
Nestled at the tip of a peninsula, Wellington Point is a vibrant, welcoming seaside suburb on the Redlands Coast, about 30 minutes from the city of Brisbane. It regularly hosts vibrant and lively festivals, like the popular Twilight Markets, and seasonal events including Christmas and New Year.
The always busy, music-filled, and brightly-lit shops and restaurants on the south side of the beach offer an extensive selection of local treats, from the classic fish and chips to Tassie rock lobster. Our dinner at Manny’s Italian was a special dining experience that left us wholly satisfied. The food was nothing short of excellent, satiating our hunger within minutes, while the helpful service added to the pleasure of our visit.
Wellington Point is also known for fishing, and as a result of this, there are numerous fish and chip shops in the vicinity. The seafood is freshly caught, and are similar to those found in the Gold Coast and Manly beaches. Popular catches here includes snapper, trout tusk and harlequin fish.
A real sense of duty can be seen at Wellington Point, with volunteers regularly cleaning the beaches early in the morning.
The landscape is adorned with colourful buildings which contrast against the expansive blue and grey oceanic shore.
The beach, conservation park and pier provide a sense of tranquillity and peace, with plentiful grassy spots and picnic tables.
We walked along the jetty at dawn as well as during sunset and tried to engage with some of the friendly locals.
Wellington Point is also wonderful for those who wish to try their hand at boating. But an absolute must-do activity here is walking the unique sandbar to King Island.
Cleveland Point’s hexagonal lighthouse – a reminder of the town’s early role in Australia’s history of shipping. — Photos: EZRA YONG
Formerly called King Island Conservation Park, it is an untamed natural wonder situated approximately 1km offshore. Generally, it is only reachable by boat during high tide, but one may be able to walk to the place if the time and tide are right.
The park boasts abundant natural biodiversity, and it is highly recommended for a visit.
While King Island itself is small in size, most people go there from Wellington Point because the walk is such a special, one-of-a-kind experience. The enchanting passageway is revealed when the tides retreat, making one feel like their “walking on water”. This only occurs during low tide, though, so do check the tidal conditions in advance.
Sunset is also the perfect time to take Instagram-worthy photos here, as the warm orange glow adds a pop of colour to your photos.
Meanwhile, just 5km from Wellington Point is the laid-back seaside town of Cleveland, where you can see the once-vital lighthouse and how it had served an incredibly important role in Moreton Bay’s shipping and logistics industry.
The lighthouse restaurant serves delicacies such as Moreton Bay Bugs from Moreton Bay, fresh prawns, and blue swimmer crab, all paired with lovely locally-produced wines.
Cleveland is the popular gateway to the breathtaking North Stradbroke Island, where you can go dolphin-watching, surfing, diving or fishing, particularly on Flinders Beach and Main Beach.
And that’s not all. From revitalising massages at Harbour Day Spa to the handmade ceramics and pottery classes for the creatively inclined, there were plenty of activities and places for us to explore in this charming town.
The views expressed are entirely the reader’s own.
