Sensational Seaside Lifestyle for all the Family, That’s Clontarf! 

Come along and check out the fantastic seaside spot that is Clontarf QLD. If you had to narrow down a description of the suburb to just a couple of words, it would be “easy-breezy”. Located across the Houghton Highway from Brighton, Clontarf is your convenient entry point to the scenic Moreton Bay Peninsula and is located just 33 minutes drive from Brisbane CBD.  

Clontarf is the perfect area for families and beach-lovers in general. It’s also ideal for those seeking a slice (or more) of increasingly rarified coastal real estate (yes, there are still houses for sale) located just outside of Greater Brisbane’s confines. As a local writer, it’s easy to attest to this. Behind every suburb profile on this site, you’ll find insider information from a real-life resident of the area. Let‘s begin by showing you why moving to, or simply getting to know Clontarf, is such a wonderful thing to do.    

Clontarf at a Glance  

• Postcode: 4019
• Local Government: Moreton Bay Regional Council
• Population: an estimated 8,744 people (2023)
• Location: Approximately 29 km north of the Brisbane CBD
• Transport: via Hornibrook Esplanade, Elizabeth Avenue, Anzac Avenue, State Route 26/Deception Bay Road, Houghton Highway/Ted Smout Memorial Bridge “Hornibrook Bridge”, M1, M3, and M7/Airport Link; Translink public transport service.
• History: The name Clontarf originated in the late 1800s. “Clontarf” was one of the townships up for sale in the area at the time and was probably named after Clontarf in Ireland. The term “Clontarf”, which translates to “the Plain of the Bull,” comes from the sound of waves as they roll over sandbanks. The Undambi tribe’s Gubbi Gubbi and Ningy Ningy people were the first occupants of what is now Clontarf and continue to be the traditional custodians of the land.
• Shopping: Clontarf Bayside Plaza, Aldi Clontarf, Seasons IGA Clontarf; proximity to Peninsula Fair and Kippa-ring Shopping Centre. 
• Medical: proximity to Redcliffe Hospital.
• Education: Choice of public and private education providers.
• Real Estate: (renting and buying): Options to suit all budgets. 

Why you Should Move to Clontarf 

Clontarf makes a good impression on people over time and that’s because the centres where people congregate are characterised by a friendly, neighbourly quality. People in the community take time to get to know each other. If you live here, you’ll soon be enjoying banter at the local coffee shop, grocery store, or post office. 

You will see many people out and about enjoying their morning and afternoon walks or fitness pursuits of any kind, especially in the recreational areas along the waterfront. Undoubtedly, Clontarf is an ideal place for recreation overall, with beaches, parks (such as Clontarf beach park and Bell’s caravan park), an inflated water park, dedicated fishing spots and bait and tackle shops. Plus, plenty of walkways and a nearby jetty. If that sounds like your cup of tea, you’ll no doubt find that it’s an excellent place to live!  

A note on the beaches: keep in mind that the beaches have little to no waves. They are therefore very family friendly and make for enjoyable swimming and paddling (even though they might not offer the ideal waves for surfers). An extra plus is that the beaches are not overpopulated so your calm and relaxed seaside lifestyle awaits!  

Extra tip: If you’ve been searching for “accommodation Clontarf” you may want to take advantage of some of the traditional Bed and Breakfast lodges or hotels in the area to get a real-life perspective on life in Clontarf and its environs.  

Shops and Restaurants   

Clontarf is well-equipped in terms of shops, restaurants, and other amenities. For grocery shopping, Seasons IGA and Aldi have you covered for most day-to-day needs. If you need bigger stores, nearby suburbs Margate, Redcliffe and Kippa Ring provide Woolworths and/or Coles.

The beautiful coastal outlook of Clontarf makes the location highly amenable to coffee shops, juice bars, ice creameries, and similar businesses. Discover fresh juices and healthy light meals at Raw Squeeze Clontarf and take a caffeinated (or some other beverage-related) reprieve at The Drowned Rat Espresso Bar or Bramble Bay General Store (with an awesome “pantry” of local produce, etc.). Situated on the main road (Hornibrook Esplanade) facing the water, these locations are the perfect place to relax and enjoy the sea breeze.  

As for places to eat in or grab take-out, Taste of Rome offers authentic Italian fare, and there’s also similar type food (yet, with a Greek influence, at Zorba’s Pizza) on the Esplanade. There’s also the popular casual spot Craft Burgers and Beers at Clontarf Bayside Plaza (near the bridge). This is as well as plenty of snack bars and fish and chip shops in the vicinity, such as Groovy Groper Fish and Chips. You’ll easily pinpoint fast food outlets like McDonalds, Dominos, Pizza Hut, Subway, Baskin and Robbins (and plenty of other choices in quick and tasty treats) located in the main part of the suburb.  

Other Facilities

There are plenty of medical and related facilities (including Clontarf bridge medical centre) and this extends to chemists such as Chemist Warehouse and Discount Drug Stores Clontarf. Catering to the recreational-loving nature of Clontarf’s residents, you’ll also find Leading Edge Sports and Hornibrook Bait and Tackle within easy reach.  

There’s an eclectic edge to Clontarf, with crystal, holistic massage, and lifestyle Minni and Rose offering something a bit different and divine. For savvy fashionistas, My Preloved Wardrobe offers shoppers a great range of bargain clothing items (including yummy bikkies and kid‘s clothes next door) as well as the chance to swap their existing wardrobe for a pre-loved find.  

If you didn’t know, there’s also an industrial area in Clontarf, which is located more inland and on the western side of the suburb. Here you will find plenty of essential services and community organisations such as a fantastic gardening centre, Redcliffe wrecking Clontarf, peninsula animal aid Clontarf and Citipointe Church Redcliffe.  

Housing   

It may be time to snap up a piece of coastal real estate just outside of Greater Brisbane before it’s too late. With a decent number of houses and units available on average and new estates developing before one’s eyes, Clontarf is also a great place to invest. With the cost of housing being steep in recent times, the median house price in Clontarf of $750,000 represents great value for money, especially when you consider the covetable coastal lifestyle the area provides, all the while being only 35 minutes drive from Brisbane CBD.  

Employment 

As just mentioned, Clontarf is located just 35 minutes drive to central Brisbane, so it’s very conceivable to find work anywhere from the local region to the city and its surrounds. The pay-off for the slightly longer commute is enjoying the beach, fishing, and relaxed vibe all year round (which is actually quite a rarity when it comes to Brisbane itself, with people usually having to head to the Gold Coast or Sunshine Coast to reach a decent beach).  

Jobs in marketing (including social media marketing), customer service, hospitality, administration/accounts/receptionists, property management, consultancy, education (including childcare and tutors), practice management/nursing/disability support and local government (including gallery assistants) can be found in Clontarf and surrounds by conducting a broad Seek search. This is alongside positions for project administrators/estimators, packing technicians, pest controllers, warehouse coordinators and more. 

Education

Clontarf is in a good location to benefit from the variety of schools located around the Moreton Bay Peninsula and beyond. Clontarf Beach High School is a public educational institution with a rich history that goes back as far as 1964. The school is known for its famous alumni, such as Australian actor William McInnes, and has a dedicated soccer development program (as well as an extensive interschool sports offering).  

Here are a few of the public schools in Clontarf:  

• Clontarf Beach State School: Prep to Year 6. 
• Clontarf Beach High School: Year 7 to Year 12.  

Some private schools near Clontarf: 

• Grace Lutheran Primary School: Prep to Year 6.  
• Mueller Colllege (Rothwell): Prep to Year 12.  
• Southern Cross Catholic College (3 nearby locations): Prep – Year 12

Clontarf is also a hot spot for childcare, with a huge choice that runs the gamut from large early learning centres through to close-knit neighbourhood kindergartens. 

Weather 

Clontarf enjoys a nice sub-tropical climate with warm summers and mild winters, with typically over 300 days of sunshine annually! Sunshine prevails on most winter days, so you can take advantage of the area’s outdoor activities all year round. In fact, this is indicative of the Moreton Bay Peninsula and Brisbane in general. Winter days in Clontarf are usually around 20 °C. 

Summer makes for a great time in Clontarf. With so many beaches at your disposal in the suburb itself and plenty more in nearby locales, you can enjoy classic family times with sandcastles, ice creams, and even dips in Redcliffe’s public lagoon. You can also take time out to sun bake and watch the serene water as it laps the shore. Or perhaps jet skiing, boating, or fishing are more your pace? In Clontarf, you can do it all. With summer days averaging 30 °C and sunsets happening as late as 6:40 pm, your holiday-time in Clontarf is bound to be full and well-spent.   

Getting There and Around

When coming from southern locations, Clontarf is your entry point to the Peninsula. It’s a great welcome too, with the Houghton Highway’s views making for a thoroughly refreshing outlook. Once in Clontarf, it’s so easy to access all the conveniences that you can easily find yourself quite content to stay around home.  

However, it’s also helpful to know that, within a day, you can quite easily travel to places in and around Brisbane, as well as further south to the Gold Coast and even Byron Bay. The reason for this is because Clontarf is connected to the M1/Bruce Highway via the Ted Smout Memorial Bridge/Houghton Highway (traditionally known as the “Hornibrook Bridge”, even though this technically refers to the old bridge which only exists now as a heritage site with a platform for walking and fishing).  

The Sunshine Coast and Caboolture are two northern destinations that are easily accessible thanks to the highway connections at North Lakes and Deception Bay. If you drive down Elizabeth Avenue and take Anzac Avenue, you will easily arrive at North Lakes. By taking the alternative in State Route 26/Deception Bay Road, you’ll reach Deception Bay and the Bruce Highway. 

Keep in mind that Scarborough, Redcliffe, Kippa Ring, Woody Point, Margate, and Rothwell are just a few of the nearby communities that are easily accessible from Clontarf, as part of the cohesive Moreton Bay Peninsula. This is made possible by using Hornibrook Esplanade, Oxley Avenue, Anzac Avenue, and other arterial routes.  

How To Get To… 

To Brisbane: Take the Houghton Highway from your given location in Clontarf. In Deagon, turn onto M1 from State Route 26. Take the Southern Cross Way, Airport Link and M3 (which has tolls for the fastest route) to Elizabeth Street in Brisbane City. Travel time should be about 35 minutes drive. 

To Redcliffe: You can get to the heart of Redcliffe by travelling along Oxley Avenue from wherever you are in Clontarf. It should take about 7 minutes to drive. 

To the Sunshine Coast: After travelling down Elizabeth Avenue and through Rothwell and Deception Bay (using Anzac Avenue and State Route 26/Deception Bay Road, respectively), use the M1 at the Burpengary exit, which is reachable from State Route 26/Deception Bay Road. In roughly an hour, you should be at the central Sunshine Coast area. 

To the Gold Coast: Follow directions for Brisbane (above). When continuing along the M1, use the exit onto Pacific Motorway/M1 towards Gold Coast. This will take you via the Gateway: your fastest route but one that requires tolls. Take exit 69 to head towards Nerang/Surfers Paradise on State Route 20/Southport Nerang Rd. Allow extra time for this type of extended travel, even though the estimated time for the drive is 1 hour and 15 minutes.  

Public Transport

If you don’t own a car, public transport is a terrific alternative as it offers convenience and mobility (or you can just park your car in the garage more often and save on petrol and give the environment a helping hand).  

Here are just a couple of the places you can easily travel to via public transport: 

To Brisbane: To board the train, proceed to Kippa Ring station. You can expect to arrive at Central Station in Brisbane in around 1 hour and 15 minutes. 

To Redcliffe: Catch the 694 bus at Elizabeth Street, near Long Street. Disembark at Anzac Avenue exit at the Redcliffe Museum station. The bus journey should take around 15 minutes.  

To organise your public transport trip from Clontarf, use Translink.  

Things to Do and See Around Clontarf

Need things to do to keep you and the family occupied? There is such variety in and around Clontarf that you’re spoiled for choice. It’s also good to know that you can have a little high-octane fun or just choose to chill and enjoy the serenity. Clontarf gives you the freedom to choose.  

Local Gems at Your Fingertips   

Pelican Park: A sprawling park with plenty of picnic shelters, BBQ facilities, and kid’s playground. This is alongside a boat and rigging area and wheelchair-accessible play equipment. Pelican Park is very popular with Moreton Bay Peninsula residents. It’s the perfect place for a stroll or a picnic and sometimes there are coffee or ice cream vans which make things that little bit extra special. 

Inflated Water Activity Park: Get your ninja on at Aqua Warrior Redcliffe Water Park, which is run by Aqua Splash Redcliffe. This water activity installation is located off Hornibrook Esplanade in the heart of Clontarf. Specially designed obstacles add excitement and challenge to a fun day at the beach. Suitable for all ages starting at 6. Ages 6 to 9 requires a 16-year-old or older. Check the website for seasonal operating times and admission charges.  

A Fantastic Weekend Adventure   

Eat Street Northshore: Eat and drink your way around a fabulous, dedicated foodie’s paradise. Eat Street Northshore is positioned in Hamilton, which is approximately 25 minutes drive from Clontarf. There are regular live bands and entertainment, as well as markets. All sorts of traditional and more new-fangled street foods and drinks are there to satisfy the appetite, such as charcoal chicken, “japancakes”, Peruvian eats, and sweets like churros, brownies and crepes. The biggest challenge is fitting it all in. Check entry fees and opening times on the website. 

Breakfast Creek: Explore a beautiful lifestyle precinct in historic Breakfast Creek (around 30 minutes drive from Clontarf). Did you know that Go Boat Picnic Boat Hire Breakfast Creek allows you to drive your own picnic boat on the Brisbane River with no boating license required? Yes, you can pack your own picnic and set sail with up to eight people. You can easily make a mini break of your visit to Breakfast Creek by booking some nearby accommodation and enjoying lunch or dinner (and/or drinks) at the iconic Breakfast Creek Hotel.  

Thinking About Other Places Near Clontarf    

Because we’re locals, we have great insider tips on all the suburbs in our ‘hood, and our neighbours are pretty awesome, too. 

Redcliffe QLD: The Coastal Gem of the Peninsula

Nestled on the Redcliffe Peninsula and stretching into Moreton Bay, lies the seaside suburb of Redcliffe. With its sandy beaches, family-friendly atmosphere, and easy access to Moreton Island, the suburb offers a relaxed coastal vibe and is perfect for anyone wanting to live close to Queensland’s capital city, but still wants a coastal lifestyle.

Find out more about moving to Redcliffe here.

Margate is Magic for Families

To the south is Margate, also with great beaches and parks. Highly sought after housing and a wonderful small-town vibe and only minutes from Redcliffe.

Find out more about moving to Margate here.

Visit Scarborough QLD: Where Coastal Charm Meets Vibrant Living

At the top of the peninsula and just to the north is Scarborough. While technically a different suburb, one could argue that it is a continuation of Redcliffe’s coastal vibe. Slightly more residential and laid back, we love our northern neighbour.

Find out more about moving to Scarborough here.

Woody Point QLD: Your Gateway to Relaxation and Adventure

With its relaxed vibes and picturesque shores, Woody Point is a tranquil paradise on the city’s edge. Enjoy seaside strolls and fresh seafood delights. Ready to make Woody Point QLD your home? Don’t hesitate!

Find out more about moving to Woody Point here.

You Can’t Go Past Kippa Ring for Family Convenience

Discover family-friendly Kippa Ring, the heart of Moreton Bay Peninsula with top amenities, schools, shopping, and beaches.

Find out more about moving to Kippa-Ring here.

Clontarf is Awesome!

Our aim in creating this suburb profile was to make it as simple as possible for you to find the information you need about your desired area! Empowered with this knowledge, we hope you will be able to decide with confidence where you and your family might choose to live next (or perhaps visit on a fact-finding holiday of sorts). Make sure to join our email list before you leave this page, so you don’t miss any important updates down the track.