A jewel in the Redcliffe Peninsula’s Crown
It’s easy to understand the area’s attractions, both divine and commercial. The unique combination of natural beauty and delightful, mild winters meant that for many years Moreton Bay was a tightly kept secret by those in the know. But the remote and romantic Margate was soon to be discovered when the Hornibrook Highway was built in 1935. The Highway stretched 2.74km across the mouth of the Pine River and Hay’s Inlet linking Redcliffe to Brisbane, and was the longest road bridge in Australia. By 1969 over 20,000 cars were using the bridge each day and in 1974 a second bridge was built. In 2010 the third crossing was opened and was named the Ted Smout Bridge in honour of Queensland’s longest surviving WWI digger, Ted Smout, who lived in the area and died in 2004 aged 106.
Drive around Margate today and it’s easy to see how the past has contributed to the creation of this exceptionally charming little town. Heritage buildings butt up against quaint beach shacks and new developments, such as the ideally located Bathers Beachside, sit majestically on the tranquil, white sand beach where little children play safely while grownups relax and enjoy their well-earned vacation, sea change lifestyle, or retirement.