Northside Hamilton

http://www.northshorehamilton.com.au/lifestyle/Space.aspx

The 2.5 hectare Northshore Hamilton Riverside Park is a natural gathering place for local residents and visitors, with a children’s play area, ripple lawn, barbecue and picnic area, and a great open space just perfect for informal cricket or football games. There is also be a performance space, Northshore Riverside Cafe, and a History Walk – commemorating the social, cultural and land use history of the area, from pre-European settlement to the present day.

Strathpine Park

Things to do: Bring your bikes, watch the ducks on the ponds,bring a ball to kick around, visit the site of the Normanby distillery, a great playground for the kids,climb the lookout, room to run!

Getting There: Catch a train to Strathpine Station and cross the road at the lights.

Don't Forget: Hats, suncreen

Check Out: The paths keep going along past Westfield shopping centre

Other Options: Visit Westfield Foodcourt for lunch.
Visit Lei Park at Lawnton

More Info:
Bike path maps
http://www.prsc.qld.gov.au/c/prsc?a=da&did=1132528&pid=1095923458&sid=
http://www.petercampbellrealty.com/NowandThen/NormanbyDistillery.htm
http://www.maxlink.com.au/pinerivers/PARK/pineriv.htm

Maleny Dairy Farm

THIS ONE YOU WILL NEED TRANSPORT FOR, but I am including it as it is an interesting day out.

Things to Do: Dairy Farm tour and free tasting.

Getting There: Maleny is 30km south west of Caloundra

Don't Forget: closed in shoes, hat and sunscreen

Check Out: The Lunch Menu available and fresh milk at great prices.

Other Options: Nearby Mary Cairncross Park.

More Info:
http://www.malenydairies.com/tours.html
http://www.queenslandholidays.com.au/destinations/sunshine-coast/places-to-visit/maleny/
http://www.ourbrisbane.com/see-and-do/places-to-see/maleny-montville-mapleton

Ipswich

Ipswich has enough things to do to keep you busy for a few days or a few visits!

Things to Do:
Visit the Railway Workshops
Visit Queens Park and the Nature Centre
Visit Global Arts Centre at the Ipswich Art Gallery
Bushwalks at Denmark Hill Conservation Park
Follow the Ipswich Heritage Trail
Enjoy the new Riverwalk area and visit this area at night to see the creature light show

Getting There:
Catch a train to Ipswich

Don't Forget:
Sunscreen and Hats
Queens Park has a kiosk, BBQ facilities and a lookout

Check Out:
The old Railway Bridge remnants behind the shopping centre on the edge of the river.

Other Options:
Catch a train further on to Rosewood
Visit the grave of Dan Kelly in the Ipswich Cemetery

More Information:
http://www.ipswichartgallery.qld.gov.au/
http://www.ipswichcentral.com.au/river/
http://www.theworkshops.qm.qld.gov.au/
http://www.heritagetrails.qld.gov.au/attractions/ipswich2.html
http://www.ipswich.qld.gov.au/about_ipswich/parks_reserves_precincts/parks_search/index.php?id=75
http://www.ironoutlaw.com/html/writings_hall.html

Toombul Kalinga Park

Another great playground, away from traffic with public toilets and lots of different playground equipment.

Things to Do:
Bring a picnic
Bring your bikes,scooters etc and use the bikepaths nearby

Getting There:
Catch a train to Toombul Station

Don't Forget:
Water, hats and sunscreen

Check Out:
The old Mine of the Northern side of the creek

Other Options:
Follow the pathways and cross over Shaw Rd to see the wildlife in the wetlands.

More Information:
http://www.ourbrisbane.com/activeandhealthy/families/kidsparks/

Shorncliffe

Shorncliffe Foreshore has just had renovations done. There's a great park near the Jetty and rock pools to play in along the shore.

Things to Do:
Look at the boats in the Marina, play in the park, look for sealife in the rockpools.

Getting There:
Take a Shorncliffe train from Northgate.

Don't Forget:
Sunscreen and a Hat

Check Out:
The View from the top of the cliffs

Other Options: Keep walking along the foreshore to Sandgate where you can visit the lagoons.

More Info:
http://www.ourbrisbane.com/living/suburbs/shorncliffe/history/

Pioneer Park Landsborough

This park is the best playground I've ever seen, we spent over 7 hours here and still had to drag the kids out!
An All Abilities playground with something for everyone.

Things to Do:
This playground has everything, you won't need to go anywhere else! BBQ,toilets, fully fenced,water bubbler, access for wheelchairs, shade sails, gazebos, seats, sand play,flying fox, swings and much more.

Getting There:
It's a 10 minute walk from Landsborough train station, we walked it with 9 kids and even the 2 and 4 year olds walked it easily. From the station turn left into Caloundra street and the park is on the right about 700 metres up the road.
There are only a few trains on weekends to Landsborough. 8.51am and 10.41am from Caboolture on Saturdays.

Getting Back:
Trains leave Landsborough at 3.28pm and 6.13pm on Saturdays.

Don't forget:
Sunscreen,hats, and Insect repellant.

Check Out:
The Mad Hatters Tea room on the way to the park.

Warning:
The traffic is very busy on both roads on either side of the park and on the weekend of the 15th March there was one pool gate missing on the Western side of the park. Hopefully it will be replaced quickly.

Other Options:
Head back to the station a little early and there is another park on the western side of the station with a train to climb on, this park is small but fun and is also fenced.

More Information:
http://www.disability.qld.gov.au/community/all-abilities-playground/pioneer-park.html

Caboolture

There are many things to see and do in Caboolture, some great parks and lots of wildlife to see.

Things to Do:
Apex Park on Morayfield Rd has great picnic areas,2 playgrounds and duckponds.
The Arboretum (Norfolk Esplanade) has more duckponds, lots of walking paths and you may even see Turtles.

Platypus Playground (Grant rd/Julie Drive) has lots of different playground equipment, however there are no public toilets nearby.
Caboolture Historical Village (Beerburrum Rd) admission $10 adults Children 5+ $2

Getting There:
Catch a train to Caboolture

Don't Forget:
Hats,sunscreen

Cafes:
Cafe De Cruiz in King st is a great cafe owned by a local woman. (It's not open Sundays)

Check Out:
The Historic Railway Pumping Station Boiler (Wallace st)

Other Options:
Buses go from Caboolture Train Station to Bribie Island
On Show Day in August the Caboolture Shire Council hold a free family funday
In May The Caboolture UrbanCountry festival is on with lots of free events (free buses from the train station)
Farmfantastic in July is another event with lots to see ( free buses from the Train Station)
In March there is a Multicultural festival in the Town Square
In July the Medieval Festival is on at The Abbey Museum at St Michaels Church (free buses from the train station)

More Information:
http://www.historicalvillage.com.au/village.html
http://www.farmfantastic.com/
http://www.caboolture.qld.gov.au/attractions.aspx?display=locality&show=Caboolture
http://www.urbancountry.com.au/
http://www.abbeytournament.com/

Rosewood

Rosewood has a great kids park!
It's near the corner of the Rosewood-Laidley rd and John Street.

Things to do:
The Rosewood Rail Museum is only open Sundays
http://www.arhs-qld.org.au/
http://qldrailheritage.com/sq/rrm.htm

Getting There:
Catch a Rosewood train from Ipswich

Don't Forget:
Hat and Sunscreen

Check Out:
The Alpaca Farm you can see from Karrabin train station

More Information:
http://www.travelmate.com.au/Places/Places.asp?TownName=Rosewood_%5C_QLD

Kidspace at Chermside

One of the best playgrounds we have ever been to.

Things to do:
Bring your bikes, scooters,roller blades, plenty of paths nearby.
Bring a picnic

Getting There:
We walk from Geebung or Virginia train stations but you could catch a bus
Use Translinks journey planner to find the bus route which suits you
http://www.transinfo.com.au/

Don't Forget :
Hat,sunscreen, water. Chermside shopping centre is nearby for shopping or food.

Check Out:
The Mountains to Mangroves corridor info signs http://www.mountainstomangroves.org/

Other Options:
Chermside Splash Park is just up the road! http://www.splash.com.au/

More Info:
http://www.ourbrisbane.com/living/suburbs/chermside/png/
http://www.queenslandholidays.com.au/things-to-see-and-do/kidspace/index.cfm

Enchanted Forest Dorrington

This park was a wonderful accidental find. Lots of play equipment and fenced so very safe for little ones.
Fraser's Rd Ashgrove/Dorrington

Things to Do:
Bring a picnic, ride your bikes

Getting There:
Catch a 350 Express from outside the Roma st Police headquarters (stop 130) and get off at Fraser's Bridge.

Don't forget:
Hat,sunscreen, food and drink (There are no shops near the park)

Check Out:
The path way goes on as far as The Gap if you want to keep riding!

Other Options:
Ashgrove Park, (if you head back towards the city along the bikeway you'll find the park) Lots of room to run around and bushwalk trails.

More Information: http://www.ourbrisbane.com/living/suburbs/ashgrove/png/

Redcliffe Lagoon to Clontarf

This was a very long walk but it was a spur of the moment thing and we weren't really prepared for such a long walk. From the Redcliffe Lagoon you can walk along the foreshore all the way around to Clontarf (and on to Sandgate to finish if you are up for it!)

Things to Do:
Swim at the lagoon, fish from the jetty, swim at Sutton's beach, get fish and chips from the takeaway shop at Woody Point.
There's a great playground at Woody Point.

Getting there:
Catch a bus from the city, or from Petrie, Caboolture or Morayfield Train stations.

Don't forget:
Hat,sunscreen,water

Check Out :
The wreck of The Gayundah on the point.
Redcliffe Maritime Museum

Other Options:
Keep walking across the Hornibrook Bridge.

More Information: http://www.redcliffe.qld.gov.au/redcliffe_museum_web/02_for_schools/The%20Gayundah%20fact%20sheet.pdf
http://www.redcliffe.qld.gov.au/tourism/parks.html
http://www.redcliffe.qld.gov.au/redcliffe_museum_web/museum.htm

Island Hopping

Russell/Lamb/Macleay/Karragarra Islands, in Southern Moreton Bay are well worth a visit, see what Island life is like.

Things to Do-
All 4 Islands have swimming enclosures on the beach and picnic areas. Karragarra has a playground.

Getting There:
Route 250 Buses from Brisbane City. Bay Islands Transit System Ferries leave from Weinam Creek Ferry Terminal Banana St Redland Bay.
Ferries depart approx every 30 minutes, one service running clockwise the other anticlockwise.
Currently an Island Hopper ticket which entitles you to a return trip to the Islands and 3 inter-island trips costs $14.50 for an adult and $7.50 for a child.

Getting Back:
Ferries run until 9pm (check timetable)

Don't forget:
Pick up a timetable on the ferry, sunscreen,hats,water,insect repellant.

Check Out:
The old Saltmines on Macleay Island, walk along the foreshore, but watch out for the tide!

Warning :
Be Careful of tides and don't forget the insect repellant.
Karragarra Island has no shops, so make sure you buy water etc from one of the other islands.

Other Options:
Lamb Island has a Bed and Breakfast B&B

More Information:
Russell Island
Lamb Island

Southbank

Southbank is always a great family day out, there's always something on, something new to see, even just sitting along the riverbank watching the boats go by is a great way to spend a few hours.

Things to do there:
Swim at the man made beach
The Science centre (entry fee)
Museum (gold coin donation)
Art Gallery (Gold coin donation)
Gallery of Modern Art
State Library (Has an excellent children's section and also an Official Bookcrossing Zone)
Playgrounds
At the Northern end past GOMA there is a lovely new picnic area.

Getting there:
Catch a City Cat across from North Quay
Catch a train to South Brisbane or Southbank stations
walk- over the Goodwill pedestrian bridge or Victoria Bridge
Catch a bus to the Cultural Centre stop

Don't Forget :
Hat, sunscreen and water. There are plenty of cafes and restaurants to choose from. If you plan to go to the Mangroves in the Botanic Gardens you might need some insect repellant.

Check out:
-the Nepalese Pagoda a reminder of Expo 88
- The original Victoria Bridge pylons
- The Markets

Other Options:
- Walk along to the Maritime Museum (entry fee)
- Kangaroo Point cliffs walk (a great walk along the river under the cliffs where you can see people abseiling,a lookout, lots of places to stop for a rest, there's also RiverLife http://www.ourbrisbane.com/visitors/seeanddo/river/riverlife.htm where you can hire Rollerblades or Kayaks for a faster journey!)
- Walk over the Goodwill bridge and along to the City Botanic gardens, another nice walk along the riverbank. (visit the Kangaroo statue near the cafe) Walk through the Mangrove Boardwalk
- Walk past the picnic area at the far Northern end of Southbank and you can keep walking all the way to the West End Ferry stop, past the rowing clubs and a historic gas tower.

More Information-
http://www.abc.net.au/brisbane/stories/s1767541.htm
http://www.visitsouthbank.com.au/home
http://www.slq.qld.gov.au/
http://www.southbank.qm.qld.gov.au/
http://www.southbank.qm.qld.gov.au/sciencentre/
http://www.qag.qld.gov.au/
http://www.qpac.com.au/home/

Mt Cootha Lookout and Bushwalk

Mt Cootha is a great place for a family day out, there is a cafe and a restaurant at the lookout. Both are quite expensive but very nice, clean and the view from the Restaurant is worth the cost!
There are some information boards and toilets.
Down the trails there are BBQ areas and more toilets.

Getting there:
Bus 471 from Stop 7 in Ann st Brisbane, runs regularly on weekdays , there are only 4 services on Saturdays and Sundays.


Getting Back:
Same bus back or you could walk like we do! We have walked back to the ferry terminal at Regatta and another time we walked back to Roma St. Walking back down means you aren't stuck to the bus times and you can take a detour via the Cemetary and have a wander through the historic graves.

Don't Forget:
Hats,sunscreen and plenty of water if you take the bushwalk option.
It's not likely that you would get lost but best to print a map http://www.epa.qld.gov.au/media/parks_and_forests/parks/bfp_mtcootha.pdf just in case.


Warning:
The Powerful owl trail is VERY steep and not recommended for small children or unfit people. Some trails get muddy or covered with water in wet season.

Other Options:
There is also the Mt Cootha Botanical Gardens to visit on the way down

More Information:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mount_Coot-tha,_Queensland