As the first European settlement in Queensland in 1824, Redcliffe has a long history in the Morton Bay region. The first Redcliffe Jetty built in 1885 has become an iconic symbol of Redcliffe. The jetty, together with Redcliffe’s Settlement Cove Lagoon 
in close walking distance, attracts locals and tourists alike.
The current jetty is the third built, officially opening in November 1999. It doesn’t have the same old rustic features of the older jetty. Any resemblance of a timber jetty is replaced with concrete and metal, however, it has tributes to some of the old features.
The covered pavilion halfway along the jetty is where the first jetty originally finished. The first jetty was extended and a diamond-shaped pavilion was built, serving as a shelter shed and used for a variety of functions.
Another tribute to the past is the lines running along the jetty from the start through to the end, symbolising the rails that used to be on the first and second jetty to move goods and luggage from the boats down the jetty.
Today, the pavilion on Redcliffe Jetty has picnic tables and seating, and information about the history of Redcliffe Jetty is shown as well. The pavilion is a wonderful spot to catch the breeze and look back towards the shoreline at Redcliffe or across Moreton Bay towards the islands.
At the far end of Redcliffe Jetty is the wharves for boats to come into the jetty, with a breakwater wall behind it. There are a few mooring points there for boats to moor off the jetty.
The entrance of Redcliffe Jetty is a pavilion building, the original structure was two wooden towers with a sheltered area between them.
The entrance pavilion was replaced in 1937 with a more modern brick structure and included Redcliffe’s first town clock in the centre. The design of the brick structure shows a tribute to the towers that stood before it.
The pavilion at the entrance of the Redcliffe Jetty is where you will find public toilets and one of two Visitor Information Centre’s for Redcliffe, the other being at Pelican Park 
in Clontarf.
Surrounding Redcliffe Jetty there is plenty to do, see, and eat. The popular cafes and restaurants will have something to satisfy anyone’s cuisine preference. Get something take-away and you can enjoy it at the pavilion on the jetty or take with you to the children’s playground or to Bee Gee’s Way.
First Settlement and Playground
Beside Redcliffe Jetty on the north side, there is a tribute to the first settlement of Redcliffe. Two large walls built with 50 tonnes of blue-stone represent the sails of the Amity, which sailed from “Sydney to Red Cliff”.
The wall has plaques with details of the people from the 1824 penal settlement, including the soldiers and their wives and children, and the convicts. It also honours the first inhabitants, the Ningy Ningy clan of the Gubbi Gubbi people.
The playground is just beyond the wall, including a structure in the shape of a boat, representing the Amity, and partly surrounded by a wooden board walkway. It has swings and a flying fox.
Next to the playground is a shelter with free BBQs and another closer to the beach, also with free BBQs and picnic tables.
Between the playground and the jetty is some nice grassy spots to chill at, and also has another tribute to the first settlers with an art piece, two dingy vessels made of granite also represent the present recreational activities in Moreton Bay.
Beside Redcliffe Jetty is a nice sandy beach and is common to see a young family enjoying the water there. It is better than the beach just to the north going into Queens Beach South , where the beach is not so sandy and has a lot of exposed rock.
OPTO Kinetic Orange Rings
Prominent along Redcliffe foreshore is the distinctive orange kinetic rings, hypnotically spinning and swaying. Made from steel and carbon fibre, OPTO was installed in 2011 as part of a rejuvenation of Redcliffe Parade.
The orange rings move in response to the wind from Moreton Bay, appearing to open and close as they pass over each other. They are meant to represent looking and changing, looking from land to sea or looking to the past and future, changing from land to sea or transitioning from past to future.
Unfortunately, while we were there the rings had been secured to stop them spinning, something very rare to happen. In this occasion, it was is preparation for the remnants of cyclone Trevor.
The spinning orange rings at Redcliffe is less than 150 metres south of Redcliffe Jetty, directly opposite Bee Gees Way.
Bee Gees Way
If you are a fan of the Bee Gees, then a visit to Redcliffe Jetty isn’t complete unless you take a stroll down Bee Gees Way.
Opened in 2013 and the second stage in 2015, the 70-metre walkway is south of the Jetty, between Redcliffe Parade and Sutton Street.
The Bee Gees moved to Redcliffe in the 1950s and played their first gig at the Redcliffe Speedway. In 1958, the first music contract signed by the Bee Gees was on the family’s kitchen table in Redcliffe.
Bee Gee Statues
Two sets of statues are at the entry of the Bee Gees Way. To the right is from when they were young, revealed during the first stage of Bee Gees Way in 2013.
The statues depict the three Gibb brothers, bare-footed and their sleeves rolled up, and Barry playing a guitar in the centre.
At the base of the statues are some words written by Barry Gibb:
Bodding, Basser and Woogie
Swimming with tigers and breaking the rules
Living on friendships and acting like fools
But the dream was always there
Within us, around us, whispering in our earsPushing us forward to places unknown
Always together and always alone
The dream was relentless and fame was the spur
Asleep here in Redcliffe and waiting to stirUnforgettable Redcliffe
You stand where we wereBarry
Across from the young Gibb brothers is another set of statues when they were older, revealed during the second stage in 2015. Surrounding a microphone, Barry Gibb is still playing the guitar, progressed into images of their successful career from the Bee Gees One Night Only era.
Bee Gees Light Show and Screen
Every night, the Bee Gees Way lights up between 7pm and 9.30pm, set to some of the Bee Gees’ greatest hits. Staying Alive, How Deep is Your Love, and Night Fever feature in the light show.
The show runs on every half hour at 7.00pm, 7.30pm, 8.00pm, 8.30pm, and 9.00pm, and 9.30pm.
Half way along the Bee Bees Way is a 5.3 square metre video screen showing footage and Bee Gees songs.
Photo Wall
The Bee Gees Way is adorned with many photos, supplied or selected by Barry Gibb himself. The wall is separated into sections covering the eras of the Bee Gees career:
- We found paradise – life in Redcliffe
- Heading to London in search of fame
- Americanisation of the Bee Gees
- Catching the Fever
- Mythology
- Life Changers
To Get There
Coming from north of Brisbane along the Bruce Hwy, follow the signs to Redcliffe. A brown sign to Redcliffe is at the approach to Deception Bay Rd (exit 142). Follow Deception Bay Rd for 7.7km, and turn left into Anzac Ave. Continue straight following Anzac Ave for another 7.3km, where you will reach a roundabout. Turn left into Redcliffe Pde, Redcliffe Jetty is 550m the right. For more parking, continue to the next roundabout and turn left, then left at the next roundabout, and immediately left into the parking area.
Coming from the south, there are two points to enter Redcliffe. The Deagon Deviation is accessed from the Gateway Motorway (exit 120A). Follow the Deagon Deviation for 6.1km, and cross over the Ted Smout Memorial Bridge, another 2.9km. At the end of the bridge, follow to the right from the 2 right lanes off the bridge onto Hornibrook Esp. Continue for 5.9km, the road bending to the left becoming Oxley Ave along the way. Turn right into Anzac Ave, and follow 700m, where you will reach a roundabout. Turn left into Redcliffe Pde, Redcliffe Jetty is 550m the right. For more parking, continue to the next roundabout and turn left, then left at the next roundabout, and immediately left into the parking area. (NOTE: The Deagon Deviation is no longer accessed from the two right-hand lanes. This has changed and Exit 120A from the left lane is now used).
Coming from the south, you can also head up the Bruce Hwy from along Gympie Rd. If you miss the Deagon Deviation exit, you will eventually come to this exit also. Take the exit to Anzac Ave (exit 133), and keep to the right lane to go under the overpass and loop back to Anzac Ave, turning left towards Redcliffe. Drive for 4.8kms and turn right to continue along Anzac Ave. Continue straight following Anzac Ave for another 7.3km, where you will reach a roundabout. Turn left into Redcliffe Pde, Redcliffe Jetty is 550m the right. For more parking, continue to the next roundabout and turn left, then left at the next roundabout, and immediately left into the parking area.
