The Redlands: Why more property buyers are sailing into this prestigious piece of Queensland

It’s all about boating in The Redlands. With one of the highest rates of boat registrations in Queensland, the region is home to cruisers and speedboats, catamarans, bowriders and yachts.

The Cleveland Yacht Club has a history dating back well over 100 years and you’ll find other boat clubs taking advantage of beautiful Moreton Bay.

Not surprisingly, homes with boating facilities are prized. 

In the 1980s, the construction of the canal estate Raby Bay introduced prestige waterfront building sites to buyers who could moor their boats either at home or in marinas.

The sites were originally sold for between $50,000 and $100,000. Today the top-end homes sell for close to the $3 million mark.

It helps to be within cooee of Stradbroke Island, known locally as Straddie.

Arguably The Redlands’ key drawcard, Straddie attracts both domestic and international tourists who come to enjoy the pristine beaches, freshwater lakes, fishing and whale-watching. 

It’s a 30-minute ferry ride from Cleveland and there’s plenty of accommodation and dining options in the island’s three townships.

• Related: Prestige Airbnb-style rentals on the rise
• Related: Melbourne’s secret millionaires’ playground
• Related: Ipswich landmark to go under hammer

Rufus King and The Prawn Shack are favourite stops for fresh seafood. Back on the mainland, popular restaurants include The Courthouse, a heritage-listed timber and sandstone building, and The Lighthouse, which specialises in seafood, both claiming waterfront in Cleveland.

The award-winning Sirromet Winery in Mount Cotton serves up great wine and fine food and the region has a good selection of day spas and galleries.

REMAX Results agent Alison Hewett grew up in The Redlands and says it still retains the village atmosphere of days gone by, with residents typically staying for the long haul.

“Most people stay in the area for their whole lifetime,” she says. “They stay for the quality of life, which is very much water-oriented.

“Everything that everybody needs is here and there’s nowhere else that compares to The Redlands that’s within range of Brisbane.”

Pamela Neilson of McGrath Bayside Cleveland says locals happily commute for work.

“Even though it’s 25 kilometres from the CBD, you’ve got train access to the city and easy access to the airport,” Neilson says.

“You’re out of the crowded inner-suburban areas, there are wonderful private schools and you’ll enjoy a lifestyle of living on the water.” 

16 Anchorage Drive, Raby Bay. Photo: Supplied

Raby Bay

Set in a security-gated waterfront estate in the exclusive Raby Bay precinct, this waterfront home comes with more than 40 metres of quay line and 32 metres of pontoon.

“Without a doubt this is the best, single-storey residence in the whole of Raby,” says agent Pamela Neilson, of McGrath Bayside Cleveland. 

The property is for sale in the range of $3 million to $3.5 million.

See more of 16 Anchorage Drive at Domain