Peaks to Points Festival
Various Southside Locations
Sept 1-14
www.peakstopoints.com.au

This fantastic eco festival is a celebration and awareness raiser of the diverse beauty of nature in the south east, with two weeks of 32+ hands-on and interactive activities and adventures in the Brisbane, Redlands, Ipswich and Logan areas, hosted by local community and environment groups.

Bus tours, guided walks, talks and workshops (some free, some at a cost)will be held in various locations throughout the two weeks, making this a great way to get versed on and involved in local history and the natural habitats that too many of us drive past every day and often don't know exist.

Aside from the Family Day (see below) to launch the festival at Oxley Creek Common, highlights include wallaby spotting at Wacol, historical and habitat walking tours of Sunnybank and Coopers Plains, bird watching at Oxley Common and Harding's Paddock, a historical bus tour of the western suburbs, tree planting, a Corinda creek walk and more. See program for full details.

Family Day
Oxley Creek Common
Sherwood Rd
Rocklea
Sept 2 10-4
Free

The entire program of activities for children are free at this 'fun for all the family' extravaganza on Oxley Common, which promises the best range of fun things to do in one place that we've seen just about anywhere.

Taking centrepoint is a giant Sound Garden of recycled goods made into instruments so kids get to beat out a tune on mag wheel truck tyres, pool filters and a polypipe thongaphone. When they've finished, there's more music to be made with Murimbas on the Move and dance moves to hone with a Bollywood dance studio.

Arts and crafts are covered with kite and bird-making workshops with local artist Julia Bell and for orienteering types a map reading activity to unravel.

And that's just for starters – there's plenty of entertainment on hand with dedicated roving entertainers, face painting and children's theatre performances and for animal lovers a petting zoo and the chance to get up close to wildlife with Geckoes Wildlife shows throughout the day.

As well, for the whole family there'll be free canoes on hand to take a paddle and explore Oxley Creek. To keep the energy levels up food and drinks stalls are all part of the occasion. And don't forget to check out the people who made the day possible – the local community groups with a sustainability ethos who work hard to keep these natural environs there for everyone to enjoy.