Shorncliffe Walk

This peaceful waterfront walk of around 2-2.5km return commences from the intersection of Friday St and Allpass Parade for both motorists and train travellers arriving from nearby Shorncliffe Station. At the halfway turning point is the landmark historical Shorncliffe Pier circa 1872, a mini beach, picnic and barbecue area and playground on the shore, making it attractive for children although there is a hill of moderate steepness to conquer first.

Connect to the Sandgate Walk for an extended hike along the bay.

Starting at Musgrave House 8 Allpass Parade, the path clings to Cabbage Tree Creek along a popular fishing stretch with plenty of fig and cottonwood trees to chill out under. The curious symmetrical large white house at Number 8 was designed by architect Richard Gailey in 1884 as the Lady Musgrave Sanitorium for Sick Children at a time when 50% of children died before reaching 5 yrs of age.

Those who need fuelling before climbing the hill to Shorncliffe Parade will find sustenance of sorts at The Shelley Inn although if you wait till the clifftops there's the Matthew Thomas Cafe in the splendid old masonic hall.

Atop the hill a string of grand houses peer out to sea and around the corner is the late 19th century Lower Moora Park, an elegant reserve with ornate rotundas and bandstand. From here a wide path heads downhill to the sea where the abovementioned jetty and excellent park amenities reside.

Upon returning to the start, just around the corner off Sinbad St in the inner reaches of the creek, seafood trawlers peddle their freshly caught stuff on Friday afternoons and weekends – worth checking out, as is the area's best kept secret - an amazing vintage furniture shop in the old Fisherman's Co-op - Rewind Mid-Century.