The coastal suburb of Cleveland is located approximately 25 km east-south-east of Brisbane. Cleveland is located on the western shores of Moreton Bay There is an elegant marina, great places to eat and excellent facilities throughout the relaxed bayside precinct. Cleveland station is the terminus on the QR Citytrain Cleveland suburban railway line. Major road access to Cleveland is provided by Finucane Road and Bloomfield Street.



Redland Museum offers a trip back into the history of the Redland area in Queensland. With transport and farming machinery from the local area; historic rooms depicting early life in the Redlands; the Toy Hall of Fame and our wonderful exhibits and events, the Redland Museum is a "must see" for locals and visitors alike. Open 7 days a week from 10am to 3.30pm. Location: 60 Smith St, Cleveland, Redland City. Ph (04) 3286 3494.

Located in a beautiful property, in great surroundings, Redland Gallery gives local painters the opportunity to exhibit some wonderful paintings which are of a vairety of styles. Easy parking, wheel chair friendly in the heart of Cleveland Shopping Village. Workshops also available. Location: Cnr Middle and Bloomfield Streets, Cleveland. Ph (04) 3829 8899.

North Stradbroke Island

Cleveland is the step-off point for Straddie, as it is referred to by the locals. North Stradbroke Island is the ideal holiday destination for families, couples or maybe just a day trip. Straddie is easily accessible by fast and reliable vehicle ferries or water taxis which depart from Cleveland. The Island is famous for its scenic headlands, kilometres of rolling surf and white sandy beaches. Although Straddie is the second largest sand island in the world and ideal for four wheel drive enthusiasts, the island s bitumen roads make it suitable for conventional cars.

Toondah Harbour

Toondah Harbour is the location of the Stradbroke Island Ferry Terminal used by water taxis and vehicular ferries to provide access to North Stradbroke Island. This area of Moreton Bay is naturally shallow but the Fison Channel has been dredged to provide access for vehicular ferries which connect Cleveland to Dunwich. Toondah Harbour is situated in an area of coastal wetlands featuring sandbanks, mudflats and mangroves which provide important habitats for dugongs, turtles and many shorebird species including migratory birds such as the critically endangered eastern curlew. Most of the wetlands in this area, except for Toondah Harbour and its primary channel, are within the boundaries of the Moreton Bay Ramsar site.

Cassim Island, an area of sandbanks and mangroves located to the north of Toondah Harbour, provides the Harbour with shelter from northerly winds. The island is named after William Cassim, an early Cleveland hotel keeper. Cassim Island provides a high value habitat for wading birds and other mangrove fauna.

Cleveland Village Farmer's Markets

These markets run each Sunday from 7.00am - 1.00pm in a closed off section of Bloomfield Street (between Middle and Queens Streets). Behind them is a row of shops and cafes, most of which were open for Sunday trading, a visit to the markets with lunch afterwards makes for a great Sunday morning. The markets themselves have a wide variety of stalls selling everything from fruit and vegetables, fresh meat and seafood to house plants, trinkets and bric-as-brac.

Raby Bay Foreshore Park

This bayside reserve offers playgrounds (mainly for little ones), water views, little beaches and long waterfront paths. If you have children, it might be better to travel a little further to the Masthead Drive playground, which has a larger playground, a climbing net, scooter, walking and bike paths, a small beach and open grassed areas.

Cleveland Point Lighthouse

Standing about 12 metres tall, the hexagonal wooden lighthouse is made of painted weatherboards attached to a timber frame. It has a gallery around the top made of painted iron alloy with glass windows. The top (turret) is capped with a painted iron alloy dome. The light used kerosene until 1934 when it was converted to electricity. The Lighthouse was built about 1864 and lit the Point until it was replaced in 1975 by the concrete structure. Although you can't climb the light tower, there are some very informative plaques that tell about its rich history. The park surrounding the lighthouse has a large grassed area with shelters, picnic area, drinking water, electric BBQ, toilets, play equipment, viewing platforms and a boat ramp. It was the location for the movie "The Voyage of the Dawn Treader," (Chronicles of Narnia.) It is a short walk to the Lighthouse Cafe for Gelatai ice cream, take-away fish and chips or seafood dining by the sea.

Oyster Point to Cleveland Point Walk

A relatively flat walk mostly on concreted or sealed paths. The walk passes historical buildings and sites dating from the original settlement and development of Cleveland. The pamphlet Cleveland and Ormiston Heritage Trail  produced by the Redland Shire Council and available from the Redlands Visitor Information Centre provides interesting information and photographs about these and other historical sites. Suitable for bicycles.

Cleveland Heritage Trail

A flat 4km walk or cycle which takes in quaint 19th century buildings in the bay s best preserved historical village as well as a number of secluded seafront parks on the way to Cleveland Point. The trail can be lengthened to around 6.5km depending on where you choose to start. If arriving by train, disembark at Cleveland Station, collect a map at the adjacent Visitor s Centre and either walk/ride 1.5km or take a bus down to GJ Walter Park where the walk/ride begins.

GJ Walter Park

A pleasant, secluded seaside park with a picnic area, a child's playground, views across the bay, all shaded by Norfolk Pines. There are times set aside for when dogs can be exercised off their leashes.

The Grand View Hotel

What is Queensland's oldest licensed pub and one of Cleveland's oldest surviving buildings, this pub is somewhat of a local institution. It is arguably one of the bay s treasures and a more than pleasant place to while away some time with a cold drink and pub meal. In true Victorian pub style, upstairs is accommodation in the form of a pair of heritage furnished rooms opening onto the verandah.

Cruising On Moreton Bay

Cleveland is a great set-off point to go exploring around Moreton Bay.

Aria Cruises conducted Fishing Charters & Tours, Dolphin & Whale Watching, Tours, Outdoor Activities, Boat Tours & Water Sports. Location: 146-148 Shore Street West; The Public Pontoon Raby Bay Harbour, Cleveland, Redland City. Ph (04) 8744 1618.

Stradbroke Ferries operate the car/passenger ferry to North Stradbroke Island. Location: 3 Emmett Drive, Cleveland, Redland City. Ph 1300 787 232.

Brisbane Yacht Charhers operates day charter trips on Moreton Bay. Location: 152 Shore St W, Raby Bay Harbour, Cleveland, Redland City. Ph (04) 2518 3395.

Robinson Cruises Sailing Adventures offers boat tours and water sports activities. location: Raby Bay Harbour, Cleveland, Redland City. Ph 0408 872 316

Bay Island Stand Up Paddle Company specialises in Surfing, Windsurfing and Kitesurfingand other Outdoor Activities. Location: Masthead Drive, Raby Bay Foreshore Park, Cleveland, Redland City. Ph. 1300 177 277.

Bay and Islands Tours conducts sightseeing tours on and around Moreton Bay. Location: 146 Shore St N, Cleveland, Redland City. Ph (04) 8778 6833.

Cleveland: Brief History

Cleveland was the traditional territory of the Koobenpul clan of the Quandamooka. There are conflicting reports as to the naming of Cleveland; it was either named in 1770 by Captain James Cook in honour of John Clevland, the Secretary of the Admiralty around the time, or by surveyors in the 1840s, in honour of William Vane, 1st Duke of Cleveland.

European settlement of Brisbane and surrounding areas was banned from 1824 until 1842, due to the Moreton Bay Penal Settlement, but the area to become Cleveland was first surveyed in 1840, and in 1841, was recommended for a maritime or seaport township. In 1847 a navigation beacon was established at Cleveland Point.

In 1847, the Government planned for the new town, and on 13 December 1850, Cleveland was proclaimed a township. The first land sales of the new township took place a year later, with early purchases primarily around Cleveland Point, at the time an early candidate for a major port to replace Brisbane. Brisbane was troubled by sand bars across the mouth of the Brisbane River, and Cleveland Point was closer to the southern passage (the entrance to Moreton Bay between North Stradbroke Island and Moreton Island).

However, when Governor Sir George Gipps visited Cleveland in 1842, it is reported that upon disembarking his boat, he immediately sank into the mudflats up to his waist. He was so annoyed by this that he changed his mind and suggested Ipswich. A series of wreckings in the southern passage led to ships using the longer but safer northern entrance between Bribie and Moreton islands. This, and an unfortunate fire at the Cleveland jetty, removed any hopes for Cleveland.

In 1852, the first large buildings were built in Cleveland; what is now the Grand View Hotel, and the Old Courthouse, at the time a workers cottage. Farms sprang up; a brickworks was built at the point, and a wool store to handle shipping. The first mail service to Cleveland began in 1861, with the first school established at the same time. The wool store, unused because of Cleveland's failure as a port, was converted into a sawmill, which supplied timber to a shipyard built at the Point. The population at this time was only 270. Tourism blossomed with the arrival of the first regular steamer service to Cleveland in 1864.

The Cleveland Point Light was also constructed in 1864, and was only replaced in 1969.[4] From this time, the most popular crop was sugar cane, until it was replaced by the popularity of fruits such as passion fruit and strawberries.

A rail line connecting Brisbane to Cleveland was completed in 1889, and with it tourism, residential subdivisions and farming further grew in the area.

The area now known as G.J. Walter Park was originally proclaimed a reserve by the Government on 13 March 1889. This area was used mainly by residents and day trippers for swimming, picnicking and general park use. This area is included on the Redland City Council's Register of Heritage Places classified as being of local significance.

The rail line continued further than it does today, terminating at Cleveland Point - the existing Cleveland station was constructed later, for passenger use. The Redlands attracted farming families and became a district known for producing top quality fruits and vegetables with crops of strawberries, tomatoes, pineapples, custard apples, citrus fruits, bananas, herbs and vegetables grown very successfully.

By the outbreak of World War I, the population in Cleveland had hit 540. However, in 1960, lack of demand ended the rail service to Cleveland, and it was only restored twenty years later, by which time the population of Cleveland was over 5000. The completion of the Leslie Harrison Dam allowed town water to be connected to the shire, with the majority of the town being serviced by 1970. Construction of the Raby Bay canal estate broke ground in 1983, and by 1992, the population of Cleveland was nearing 10,000.