by Di Hill (
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I love writing, taking photos, travelling and enjoying life. I have a BA of Adult and Vocational Teaching and a Master of Arts (Writing). My business card says Writer, Traveller, Camera Addict, and Bamboo Fan www.dihill.com.au
With school holidays over the next few weeks, parents are looking for activities for the children that don't cost a fortune or are free. Of course, it depends on the age of the family, too and sometimes it is not so easy to find something that suits all!
The Houghton Highway Bridge and Hornibrook Fishing Pier
If you'd like a low-cost exciting day out, perhaps this suggestion will help, especially for ages 10 years and above. Just on the southern end of the Redcliffe Peninsula is some history that may interest the family, especially if combined with some research on their iPad or computer, perhaps when they get home.
Remains of Hornibrook Bridge
The young folk can learn the history of the old Hornibrook Bridge, which crossed Bramble Bay from Brighton to Clontarf which was opened in 1935, the Houghton Highway was completed in 1979, and in 2010 the Ted Smout Memorial Bridge was opened. The Hornibrook Bridge was closed in 2010, and part of it remains a pier for fishing.
Go Fish
What can one do there? Well, you can certainly try and catch fish, but exploring the area and learning more of the history might be of interest. Along the Ted Smout Memorial Bridge is a walkway – so you can go for a long walk over the waters.
Not far away is a great park on the waterfront at Clontarf with a great array of water activities, the Information Centre and a great park for walking, and you can get to the beach. Also good for having a picnic lunch.
Further along at Woody Point is the jetty, also a lovely place for a walk and a picnic lunch at one of the tables on the jetty. Another spot to throw a line in.
Woody Point Jetty
Read about the many dugong that were seen way back in 1891!
Dugong History
Another fascinating historical place is the wreck of the HMQS Gayundah, just around from the Woody Point Jetty. Getting up close to such a wreck in Queensland is quite rare, and there's a great story about the boat's history. Oh, please don't let the children or anyone climb on the wreck, as it is dangerous.
Wreck of HMQS Gayundah
You'll probably find that the above activities are enough to wear out the family for the day. Perhaps when back home, you can encourage the children to do further research on the places they have explored. Maybe they will like to write something for school or write a letter to grandparents or draw what they have seen.
