FAMILY-FRIENDLY STOPS FROM THE BROADWATER TO MORETON BAY
By Andy Kancachian
There’s something timeless about throwing the lines off and setting course with your family aboard. For many DIY boaties, the Gold Coast Broadwater and its connection to the sheltered waterways of Moreton Bay offer the perfect playground—sunshine, safe anchorages, and a buffet of family-friendly destinations where adventure comes free (or close to it). Whether you’re on a trusty trailer-sailer, a modest runabout, or a family cruiser, this stretch of southeast Queensland is a dream run.
Here’s your guide to some of the best stops— complete with free berthing, safe anchorage, top spots for a family fish, and even a pub meal or two—without needing a marina membership.
TIPPLERS AND SOUTH STRADBROKE ISLAND: THE CLASSIC START
Just a short hop from the Gold Coast’s boat ramps (like the excellent Broadwater Parklands or Paradise Point ramps), South Stradbroke Island’s Tipplers is a family classic. There’s free mooring available (get in early on weekends), calm anchorage, and a laid-back atmosphere that keeps generations coming back.
The Tipplers cafe offers meals and drinks for parents, while kids run wild on the beach or spot wallabies in the nearby bushland. There’s even a designated swimming area. And for those packing crab pots or flicking soft plastics, the nearby mangrove channels are teeming with bream, whiting, and the occasional flathead.
JUMPINPIN AND BEDROOMS: A PEACEFUL POCKET
For the DIY family looking to overnight it, “The Bedrooms” on South Straddie’s western shore is a hidden gem. It’s a favourite for kayakers, swimmers, and families seeking peaceful anchorage. Shallow, sandy bottoms make for safe swimming and stress-free anchoring.
Not far from here, Jumpinpin Bar (approach with caution!) offers spectacular sandbanks and fishing spots. Kids can hunt for soldier crabs or dig for pipis while parents cast a line into gutters known for tailor and dart.
JACOBS WELL AND CABBAGE TREE POINT: LOCAL VIBES & LAUNCH PADS
If you’re starting further north, Jacobs Well and Cabbage Tree Point are excellent launch points with great facilities and nearby local shops. The calm, winding channels offer endless family exploring opportunities, and you’re just a couple of hours from southern Moreton Bay. You’ll find floating pontoons here for quick stops, and some quiet nearby spots to anchor overnight. Bring the crab pots—this area is a local secret for big muddies after rain.
PEEL ISLAND: HISTORY, HORSESHOE BAY AND SNORKELLING FUN
A little further north in Moreton Bay lies Peel Island—a paradise for families. Horseshoe Bay is a well-known anchorage with sandy shores, clear water, and room for dozens of boats. It’s great for snorkelling, beachcombing, and paddleboarding. There’s no berthing or facilities, but anchorage is free and well-protected in prevailing easterlies. The island has a rich history (once a leper colony) and curious kids will love exploring the ruins on foot at low tide. Fishing off the boat here brings in grassy sweetlip and snapper. And if you’re lucky, you might be joined by dolphins or turtles.
DUNWICH AND THE LITTLE SHIP CLUB: A FAMILY PUB WITH A VIEW
Craving a cold drink and a hot meal? Head to the Little Ship Club at Dunwich on North Stradbroke Island. It’s one of the few spots in southeast Queensland where you can enjoy free public mooring right out front of a welcoming waterfront pub. Families can tuck into fish and chips on the lawn while watching the sunset over the bay.
There’s live music on weekends, and the club Nearby, you’ll find Flinders Beach and Myora Springs—more anchorage options for families wanting to explore, swim, and spot wildlife.
RABY BAY & CLEVELAND: URBAN PERKS, COASTAL CHARM
For those wanting a mix of nature and urban comforts, Raby Bay offers visitor berths (check availability) and access to Cleveland’s charming cafes, weekend markets, and train line back to Brisbane if needed. Cleveland Point is another great day stop—there’s a historic lighthouse, grassy parklands, and the Courthouse Restaurant or Grand View Hotel for lunch with a view.
ONE WATERWAY, ENDLESS MEMORIES
From sandy island stopovers to hidden mangrove creeks and waterfront pubs, the journey from the Gold Coast Broadwater to Moreton Bay is a smorgasbord of DIY boating fun. With a bit of planning and a sense of adventure, your family can enjoy days—or weeks—of unforgettable, low-cost cruising in one of Australia’s most scenic marine playgrounds.
So pack the rods, prep the esky, and chart your course. There’s a world waiting just beyond Sovereign Island, Paradise Point.
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Published in print April-July 2026
