Nature
The Renegades Men’s Shed Inc.
The Renegades Men’s Shed can be found in Sandpiper Parade, where the men meet from 9am on Tuesday mornings. New members are welcome.
See www.renegadesmensshed.com.au or phone George Feist on 0412 715 998 for further information.
Heritage Trail
This trail is intended to provide a means whereby people can access and enjoy the many attributes of Macleay Island. Access the trail at any given location and follow it as far as you choose. Find a picnic spot at one of the many seats placed by the Renegades.
Use the Heritage Trail Map for the current locations of seats, swim spots and kayak launch locations as well as historical, environmental and scenic information. Collectively, there are now 18 community created ‘seat places.’
Waterfront and Heritage Trail Viewing Seats
In 2012, members of the public embarked on an ambitious project to install seating on the waterfront and the Heritage Trail to provide idyllic locations to enjoy the view, serenity, birdlife and cooling sea breezes of Macleay Island.
Preparation for basic camping for kayakers is underway on Macleay Island. An area of land on Sandpiper Beach near the Tingira Boat Club has been set aside as a camping ground for overnight kayakers, small boat owners and cyclists. This area is being developed by trainees with Running Wild, a programme which offers skills to long term unemployed.
Currently being prepared are tracks, picnic tables and seating with plans for a kayak launch and storage area. Future plans will include an amenities block. The materials for the project were funded by the Redland City Council with work done through the Department of Education and Training, This training is proudly funded and supported by the Queensland Government through its Skilling Queenslanders for work initiative.
When completed, campers will be required to book with Redland City Council for their stay.
Canoe and Kayaking around the island – Redlands Council provides an excellent map of launch spots and places around Macleay Island and other islands in SMBI. Click here for further information.
Island Flora and Fauna
Island Bird Species
Moreton Bay is an internationally recognised wetland and migratory bird habitat. The island hosts several rare and threatened species including Eastern Curlew, Bar tailed Godwit, Red Neck Stint. Other bird species found on the island are the Bush Stone Curlew, Glossy Black Cockatoo, Osprey and Whistling Kites. The comprehensive list of birds seen on Macleay by resident M. Dobe makes interesting reading for twitchers. A good place to view many of the species is through the Heritage Walk. Signs for this walk are posted around the island.
The island occasionally sees whales who have drifted into Moreton Bay. The photo on the front page, taken by Lyn Gread In October 2010 is a small humpback. A southern right whale was spotted in a similar area off Dalpura beach in 2007.
Injured Wildlife
Contact Redlands Wildlife Rescue – 3833 4031 or
Island Wildlife Carer Kerri Lawler-Rotkirch – Ph: 0484 264 747.
Kerri specialises in the rehabilitation and raising of injured and orphaned birds and possums.
Plants and Bushcare Groups
Macleay is part of the Redland Shire which conserves one of the largest concentration of mangroves in the greater Brisbane area. The Macleay Island coastline includes significant stands of grey, red, orange, yellow and river mangroves. There are several areas of wetlands and an arboretum with mango trees dating from the 19th century.
Cow Bay
Cow Bay is one of Moreton Bay’s hidden gems. On the northern corner of Macleay Island, a bushcare group has been battling erosion to prevent one of the last remaining littoral rainforests in the area from being eroded away.
For more information contact Leigh on 0407 630 508.
Cotton Tree Bushcare Site
This Bushcare Site consists of five Council-owned drainage problem blocks at the corner of Cotton Tree and Boat Harbour Avenues. For more information, contact Joanna Hackett on 3409 5522
