Redcliffe’s Hidden History — The Stories Beneath the Sand

When you think of Redcliffe, what comes to mind? The jetty? Fish and chips by the water? Bee Gees Way?

While those are all part of its charm, Redcliffe is also the quiet custodian of stories that most people – even long-time locals – don’t know. From colonial beginnings to war-time secrets, this peninsula holds pieces of Queensland’s story that are rarely told.

Queensland’s First European Settlement

Forget Brisbane — Redcliffe was where it all began. In 1824, a small group of convicts and soldiers landed at what’s now Woody Point, setting up Queensland’s very first European settlement. It didn’t last long. Poor soil, limited fresh water, and tension with the local Ningy Ningy people led the colony to be moved to Brisbane within a year.

Still, that quiet cliff above Settlement Cove is the true birthplace of modern Queensland. Today, a modest plaque marks the spot — easy to miss, but worth a second look.

The Resort That Nearly Beat the Gold Coast

Back in the early 1900s, Redcliffe was the place to be for Brisbane’s weekend elite. Ferries arrived daily, and seaside cottages lined the shore. For a while, it looked like Redcliffe might become Queensland’s answer to Surfers Paradise.

But while the Gold Coast embraced high-rises, Redcliffe kept its low-rise, community-first charm. Today, that slower pace is part of what makes it special — a beachside town that still feels like home.

Planes Before Brisbane

Here’s one for the trivia buffs: before Brisbane had a major airport, Redcliffe had its own. The Redcliffe Aerodrome was a key hub in the 1930s and ’40s for mail and passengers, and even played a role in WWII as an RAAF training site. The original airstrip in Clontarf is now covered by homes, but aviation lives on at Redcliffe’s aero club in Rothwell.

A Wartime Watchpoint

During WWII, Redcliffe became a quiet front line. Naval lookout stations and communication outposts kept watch along the coast, guarding against Japanese submarines. Some locals still talk about hidden supply tunnels near the cliffs — part history, part legend, but an important reminder of the peninsula’s role during one of Australia’s most anxious eras.

Featured Image Photo Credit: State Library of Queensland