Wellington Point Recreation Reserve: Beach, Playgrounds and the King Island Walk

Wellington Point Recreation Reserve is a bayside park on the Esplanade at Wellington Point, in Redlands, with a calm sandy beach, shaded playgrounds, barbecues and a fishing jetty. It is also where the sand bridge to King Island starts at low tide, which makes it an easy half day out for families.

Most of the reserve is open grass and shade, so you can park, spread a blanket and let the kids roam. At low tide the water pulls back and leaves wide sand flats you can walk across.

The beach and swimming

The reserve has a calm sandy beach, and swimming is listed as an activity. Children still need watching at all times.

Part of the beach is a gazetted bathing reserve. When lifesavers are on duty, flags and buoys mark a swimming area for bathers only, and boats and other watercraft have to keep clear of it. When nobody is patrolling, those restrictions are not active.

Jellyfish can turn up at certain times of year, so have a look at the water before the kids wade in.

Playgrounds and picnic spots

The reserve has shaded playgrounds, shaded picnic tables, barbecue areas and outdoor exercise equipment. The big fig trees give the most shade, and the grass under them is a good place for a picnic.

There is more than one playground, so if the first one is busy, walk around the reserve to find another. One playground sits under the fig trees, with a sand surface.

The open lawn near the water is good for ball games and kites.

Walking to King Island at low tide

At low tide a natural sand bridge links the reserve to King Island (also known as Erobin), a small uninhabited island. The walk is about 2 km return, free and family friendly, with room for kids to paddle and explore.

The one rule that matters is the tide. The sand bridge can only be walked at low tide, and Redlands Coast advises checking tide times first and returning before the tide comes in.

How to do the walk safely

• Look up the low tide time for Wellington Point before you leave home. Maritime Safety Queensland publishes the official Queensland tide tables.
• Pick a low tide with daylight on both sides, and set a turn-back time before you step onto the sand.
• Start back well before the tide begins to come in.
• Wear shoes you do not mind getting wet and muddy.
• Take water, sunscreen and a hat.
• Dogs are allowed on a lead on the sand bridge but not on King Island itself.

Look out for wildlife along the way, and take your rubbish back with you.

Jetty, fishing and boat ramp

The jetty is a popular fishing spot, and the reserve also has boat ramps. Some car park spaces are shared between boat trailers and cars: park in a boat trailer zone only with a trailer attached, and keep ramp access clear. If your kids are keen to try fishing, our beginner’s guide to fishing covers the basics.

Is Wellington Point Reserve dog friendly?

Yes, on a lead. Dogs are not allowed in the bathing reserve or within 10 metres of play and fitness equipment, and they are not allowed on King Island, though they can use the sand bridge on a lead. Redland City Council lists the rules on its places prohibited to dogs page, so check the signs on the day.

Food and facilities

Several cafes overlook the water near the reserve, and you can also bring your own picnic and use the barbecue areas. There are accessible toilets in the reserve and an accessible beach shower, with more toilets and a change room near the cafes.

Accessible beach program

Redland City Council runs a free accessible beach program here with a beach wheelchair. It runs on weekends and public holidays in the lifesaving season (September to April) and during Queensland school holidays except the winter holidays, generally from 10 am to 4 pm. Bookings are essential. Details and the booking form are on the council’s accessible beach page. There are eight disabled parking spaces nearby, subject to availability at busy times.

Planning your visit

• How long: Allow 2 to 3 hours for the playground, a picnic and a paddle. Add about an hour for the King Island walk.
• Best time: Early, before the car parks fill. Pick a low tide for the King Island walk.
• What to bring: Water, sunscreen, hats, a picnic blanket, shoes for the sand bridge and a towel.
• Cost: Free to enter.

Getting there and parking

The reserve is on the Esplanade at Wellington Point, about 25 km by road from the Brisbane CBD, which is about 35 minutes by car. The parking areas get very busy on weekends and holidays, so arrive early. Some areas have time limits shown on signs, so check the signage in each car park. Park in marked spaces only, and do not park on the footpath or nature strip. See council’s parking page.

By public transport, Wellington Point station has T4 trains on the Cleveland line. Bus route 254 runs between the Reserve Esplanade stop at Wellington Point Jetty and Capalaba, via Birkdale station. Use the Translink journey planner for current times.

Nearby

• Redlands – more days out across the region.
• Wynnum Wading Pool Park – another bayside spot for a paddle, across the water on the Brisbane side.
• Boxhead Park, Lota – a Moreton Bay park with picnic space.
• Lower Moora Park, Shorncliffe – a bayside park with a playground, further up the coast.
• Russell Island – The largest of the Southern Moreton Bay Islands, reached by ferry or vehicle ferry from Redland Bay, with a public pool, a jetty swimming enclosure and a heritage trail.

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