Deception Bay: Foreshore, Sea Baths, Dog Beach and Parks

Deception Bay is a Moreton Bay suburb on the western shore of the bay, and its foreshore along Captain Cook Parade has heritage sea baths, a boardwalk, a dog beach and a playground park across the road. It is a place for a walk, a barbecue and a look at some unusual local history rather than a surf beach.

Most of what you will want is along one stretch of Captain Cook Parade, so you can park once and move on foot.

The Deception Bay foreshore

Captain Cook Parade runs along the water, and there is a sealed, wheelchair-friendly path with an accessible ramp down towards the beach near Captain Cook Parade Park. Bancroft Park, further along at 2-56 Captain Cook Parade, is described by council as a waterfront park with a boardwalk along the banks of Deception Bay, and it has toilets.

Bancroft Park also has a 1963 monument to Joseph Bancroft and his son Thomas Lane Bancroft, the scientist father and son the sea baths are linked to. It is a short stop on a stroll between the baths and the playground.

If you need somewhere out of the sun, Deception Bay Library is at 9 Bayview Terrace, a short drive from the foreshore.

Deception Bay Sea Baths

The sea baths are two heritage-listed rock baths on the foreshore: the Boardwalk Bath, near the corner of Captain Cook Parade and Seymour Street, and the Fisheries Bath, about 20 m east of the Department of Primary Industries Southern Fisheries Centre. The Boardwalk Bath measures about 3 m by 1.8 m, and the Fisheries Bath is 4.3 m by 2.7 m and up to 1.3 m deep.

They were probably built in the 1880s or 1890s, and are attributed to Dr Joseph Bancroft. The Bancroft family believes he shaped the Boardwalk Bath for his wife’s health, while the Fisheries Bath may have been used for recreation. The baths sit in the intertidal zone, so how much you see depends on the tide. They were added to the Queensland Heritage Register in 2006 as rare surviving examples of nineteenth-century sea baths.

Is Deception Bay dog friendly?

Yes, in set places. Council allows dogs off leash on the beach between Wallin Avenue and Joseph Crescent. On the foreshore footpath in that section, off-leash is allowed only before 8 am and after 4 pm. At all other times dogs must be on a leash, including when entering and leaving the footpath area. Council describes these as trial arrangements, so check its Deception Bay foreshore page before you go.

Apex Park playground and barbecues

Apex Park, at 49 Captain Cook Parade, is across the road from the foreshore. It has a play area with equipment set in a sandpit, ringed by tall gum trees, plus sheltered picnic tables, electric barbecues, a toilet block, a water fountain and plenty of parking.

Captain Cook Parade Park, at 2 Captain Cook Parade, adds a car park, electric barbecues, seating, a shelter and sealed paths.

Planning your visit

• How long: one to two hours for a walk, the sea baths and the playground.
• Cost: free.
• What to bring: a hat, sunscreen, water, and a leash and bags if you have a dog.
• Accessibility: Captain Cook Parade Park is listed as wheelchair friendly, with continuous sealed pathways and an accessible ramp towards the dog beach.
• Best for: a barbecue and playground stop with a short walk to the sea baths and boardwalk, all on the same stretch of Captain Cook Parade.
• Swimming: council’s pages do not list a patrolled swimming beach here, so treat it as a foreshore for walking, play and dogs.

Getting there and parking

Deception Bay is about 45 minutes by car from the Brisbane CBD, roughly 38 km by road. Apex Park and Captain Cook Parade Park both have car parks. Deception Bay Bus Station is at 1 Bay Avenue; plan a trip with the Translink Journey Planner or call 13 12 30. Details can change, so check before you go.

Nearby

• Godwin Beach – another Moreton Bay beach to the north.
• Redcliffe – beach, jetty and lagoon for a bigger day out.
• North Lakes – Lake Eden, playgrounds and parks.

Browse more beaches, dog parks and Moreton Bay day outs.

You might also like

• Sandstone Point – foreshore parks and Pumicestone Passage views.
• Clontarf Beach (Redcliffe Peninsula)
• Suttons Beach (Redcliffe)

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