Wynnum and Manly are twin suburbs on Moreton Bay, some 25 minutes (19 km) by car or by train from the city centre. The waterfront Esplanade at Wynnum is a great place to catch the fresh, salty breezes of Moreton Bay and views to Moreton Island. Pandanus Beach or the nearby Wynnum wading pool are great spots for children to enjoy the water. There are also a a variety of restaurants, cafes and coffee shops on The Esplanade.

Manly Harbour Village is the nearest point from the Brisbane Central Business District to access Moreton Bay and it is from here that tours of St Helena Island begin. Nestled beside the Manly Boat Harbour, the village has a wide variety of eating venues and provides an eclectic mix of shopping experiences, all complemented with views of the harbour.



The well sheltered coastal location of Manly has resulted it becoming a popular location for boating. In 1958 Manly Boat Harbour was built. Large tidal walls were constructed to the north and south with dredging being undertaken to deepen the harbour. The Manly Boat Harbour is now the largest boat harbour facility in Queensland.

Things To See And Do

Located on the foreshore (1 Fairlead Crescent), Manly Pool is a great place to cool off. There's a wading pool with play features for the kids, a 25 metre outdoor pool with an access ramp and slide, and a pool kiosk. The pool offers learn to swim classes and squad swimming.

Manly Lighthouse Park is so named because of its mini replica lighthouse. looking Moreton bay. The park, which overlooks Moreton Bay, has a sea side theme with decking, climbing equipment , slides and rockers. Facilities include picnic areas, BBQs, toilets inc Disabled toilets, undercover picnic tables and plenty of grassed areas and a path for children to ride, scooters and push bikes etc. Location: George Clayton Park, 49-55 Lower Esplanade, Manly.

Only 650 metres from the Wynnnum train station, Pandanas Beach, located on the Wynnum Esplanade is a nice little spot by the bay to read a book, enjoy a quiet coffee or just gaze out across the bay. There are plenty of other things to do nearby, like take a dip in the wading pool, walk along the Wynnum Jetty, take the kids for a play in the activity park with water fountains to keep them cool or just stroll along the Esplanade.



Head to the very tip of Wellington Point and look left to where ultimate tree climb awaits you. You cannot miss the most amazing tree set on picturesque bay which shades the playground area. Standing 15 metres tall, 40 metres wide and 100 metres of limbs to climb, this amazing fig delivers a childhood memory to locals and regular visitors alike.

Brisbane Bayside Minature Steam Trains

Watching and riding the trains of the Brisbane Bayside Steam Railway Society Inc. is a fantastic way to spend a Sunday with the family. Running every first and third Sunday of the month from 10am to 4pm, a small fee is charged for adults and children over 6 years (free for those under). The trains are run by volunteer enthusiast and they are happy to teach you how the coal trains work and the history behind them. You need to wear closed in shoes (although if you do forget they have a spot on the train you can sit without them). Location: Wynnum Road, near corner of Network Drive.

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Manly Creative Markets

Held early every Sunday morning a variety of market stalls show their wares from plants, fruit and veg to arts and crafts. Ph (07) 3348 3524.; Jan Power's Farmer's Markets are held every 3rd Saturday of the month. Jan Powers Farmers Markets: on the waterfront at manly the third Saturday of every month (6am to 12 noon), it is the most beautiful market in a lush green park right on the water & its a cant miss market with not only beautiful farm fresh fruit and veg, but seafood, meats, cakes, breads , olives, spices, oils, honey, curry powders, delicious smoothies, French delicacies and of course coffee. Location: Royal Esplanade, Manly, between Cambridge and Cardigan Parades.

Movies In The Park

Once per month Manly Harbour Village screens free movies in the park. Movie starts about dusk so in June it will be around 6pm. Bring a chair, rug, cushions or whatever and chill out. Food can be bought from about 4pm but there are plenty of takeaway options also available in Cambridge Parade and around the village. Right beside the water, easy to get to on the train or via car.

Bike ride from Manly to Wellington Point

The ride from Manly to Wellington Point is about 18k's and is a very scenic and quite easy ride. The ride is mostly on bike paths and some quiet back streets through the suburbs. A flat ride beginning at the Manly Harbour or the ride can be extended to start a few K's further north from Wynnum. The ride proceeds along the esplanade and passing the Manly Boat Harbour and then through Lota. The scenery changes as you leave the Harbour area and wind your way along Lota creek to the boardwalk which brings you out to Chelsea Road and then back onto the cycle path at Ricketts Road.

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Walk to King Island

The diminuative King is situated across the sand flats off Wellington Point Reserve. Here, on a sunny day, you can take a barefoot stroll over sand flats to the island. Low tide varies but usually any time around middle of day is best recommended. The leisurely walk will take you 20 minutes one way at normal strolling speed. As you walk along the flats you will discover marine life such as crab nests. The little 1 ha islet, which is now a Conservation Park, was inhabited for health reasons by the Philips family between 1904 and 1906 when they erected a temporary dwelling on a sand dune.

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Cruising on Moreton Bay

Manly is a major setting-off point for cruising on Moreton Bay. The Bay offers an encounter with nature at its finest - the glistening waters of a magnificent bay; cays and oyster crags, spirit lifting expanses and sky burning sunsets; sea creatures, free in the wild; dugongs feeding, turtles basking, dolphins frolicking and gulls swooping and diving.

Cruises on offer include day and night tours of St Helena Island, once a penal settlement; yachting on Moreton Bay; Buccaneer Sailing around the islands of Moreton Bay; visits to Moreton Island, including Tangalooma Island Resort. Select from a range of day cruises, from whale watching to hand feeding dolphins, or a Dugong Eco Cruise.

Frenzy Charters Reef and Game Fishing offer fishing charters and boat tours on Moreton Bay and beyond. Location: William Gunn Jetty Manly Boat Harbour. Ph (07) 3209 4576.

Sail Away Yacht Charters run fully crewed yacht chaters and a sailing school. Location: East Coast Marina, Manly. Ph (07) 3393 3508.

Bay Trip to St Helena Island

St Helena Island is Queensland's most historic island. This beautiful National Park is located four kilometres from the mouth of the Brisbane River and for more than 60 years was home to hundreds of society s outcasts, for here stood colonial Queensland's foremost maximum security prison for men. The Island is rich in history and has a fascinating and colourful past. A. B. Sea Cruises have been operating educational and historical tours to St Helena Island since 1982. Their modern 17 metre catamaran, Cat-O'-Nine-Tails, takes only 30 minutes to reach the Island from Manly. This is a full day adventure for those who are interested in history. The tour leaves from Manly Boat Harbour in the morning and returns mid to late afternoon. Guides will take you on a five hour walking adventure where you will learn the history of the island and explore this fascinating place. There is several attractions including a museum, wildlife and animals and you can see the city. Location: A. B. Sea Cruises, William Gunn Jetty, Manly. Ph 1300 438 787.

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Brief history

This part of Moreton Bay was occupied by the Aboriginal Mipirimm people. Their lifestyle was semi-nomadic. Increasing contact with the white settlers brought new diseases to the Aborigines including smallpox and tuberculosis which savaged the indigenous population. European settlement of the Manly area first took place around 1860. In 1882 land was sold by auction for the 'Manly Beach Estate'. In 1889 a railway line was opened that provided a direct service to the state capital, Brisbane. By the early 1900s the area had become a popular seaside location.