The historic Shorncliffe Pier built in 1882 extends 350 metres into Bramble Bay, the largest timber pier in Brisbane and the largest recreational pier in Australia.
The timber pier was formerly known as Sandgate Pier, originally 259 metres long. It was extended by 91 metres in 1884 to allow additional depth for steam passenger ferries to Woody Point Jetty.
Segregated baths were added to the pier, the men’s baths to the south and women’s baths to the north. A small office collected the admission charge to the baths. It’s hard to imagine paying to use baths like this these days.
The construction of the pier helped Sandgate and Shorncliffe to become a seaside tourist destination and attracting day trippers.
The timber pier closed in 2014 after 130 years for a major renewal after it was found the piles and headstock were in such bad condition it was not safe for public access.
The new structure uses a concrete and steel substructure but keeps timber joists, decking, handrails, and rotunda.
Upgrades include a larger rotunda, a series of light poles, fish cleaning stations, a lower platform at the end of the pier, and benches and seating.
Shorncliffe Pier has been the starting point for the Brisbane to Gladestone Yacht Race since 1955, having previously started from Woody Point from 1949.
Today, the most popular activities is to walk along the pier to enjoy the cool bay breezes and for fishing from the pier, supported by fish cleaning tables. These activities have remained popular since the early days of the pier.
At the entrance of the pier, there are some great facilities to entertain the family. There are a few picnic tables and free BBQs available for use. Further along the foreshore in both directions, there are additional shelters with picnic tables and more BBQs.
Moora Park Playgrounds
The kids won’t be too interested in the picnic tables and BBQs, there is something so much more fun for them. If your children enjoy going to the playground, this one will be on their bucket list.
The playground area is known as Lower Moora Park. The playground is made up of several wooden structures interconnected together and activities at each one such as climbing walls, slides, and carved posts.
Swingsets and sandpit provide additional activities and the hillside it is beside has been incorporated as well with a slide down the hill, spider web climbing, and a path to climb up and explore. Sail shades add additional shade to the the covered structures.
There is plenty of seating around the Lower Moora Park playground for parents to chill and keep an eye on the kids while they play.
If you want something less crowded, because Lower Moora Park is always full of kids on weekends and holidays, Moora Park at the top of the hill is a quieter alternative. There are a few swings for the kids to play and lots of open grass space to sit for a picnic lunch or eat some fish and chips from the takeaway across the road.
Parking is available at the lower section, where the entrance to Shorncliffe Pier is indicated on this map. Parking can fill quickly and getting a park can be a challenge. More parking is available above at Moora Park on the corner of Park Parade and Swan St with a walk down the ramp to get to the pier and Lower Moora Park.
Lovers’ Walk
Shorncliffe Pier is a great spot to have a walk along the foreshore. The most popular walk is known as Lovers’ Walk, following along the foreshore to the Baptist Church in Sandgate. It was originally called Dovers’ Walk after a Sandgate Town Council Engineer.
According to legend, the young men at an English company producing postcards from scenes around Brisbane covered part of the “D” up to make it an “L” as a joke and the cards came out from England as “Lovers’ Walk”.
The name captured imaginations of people and the path became affectionately known as Lovers’ Walk. The name is fitting for the beautiful and peaceful walk along the water for a couple to enjoy each others company.
