Day Tripping In Raby Bay

There’s something to delight everyone, including families with children and dogs - on a day trip to Cleveland’s Raby Bay.

Sitting about 29km southeast of the CBD, Raby Bay Foreshore Park is the perfect base for the day, especially if you can snare one of the covered picnic/barbecue shelters. While shade trees are fairly limited throughout the park, there is plenty of green open space to erect a shelter of your own.

Raby Bay itself is a lovely place to cool off. The foreshore park has three swimming coves with sandy beaches, making a nice change from the smelly mudflats of other bayside swim spots. The calm water is suitable for even the youngest swimmers, while the more adventurous can hire a kayak or stand-up paddle board straight off the shore. 

Barista coffee, cold drinks and a range of sweet and savoury snacks can be purchased from the coffee van adjoining the water-craft hire. Some seats and shelter are provided if you fancy lingering at this low-key yet picturesque venue.

Dogs are also most welcome at Raby Bay. The longest stretch of beach is a designated off-leash dog area, complete with water bowls, rubbish bags and bins for the disposal of waste. The area is quite popular, so expect your pooch to come nose-to-nose with another four-legged friend.

A wide concrete path links the carpark at one end of the park to the dog beach at the other. Kids can safely ride, scoot and skate, while those seeking a more sedate pace can soak in the beautiful bay views. The park is also home to a shaded, sand-based playground with play equipment for all ages, a Liberty Swing and wheelchair-accessible toilet facilities.

If you don’t want to pack or cook your own lunch, several dining options can be found at the nearby Raby Bay Harbour. The picturesque restaurant precinct is an easy 1.3km off-road walk, and there’s ample off-street or street parking if you’d rather drive.

A family-friendly dining option is local institution  Samson Fish Seafood overlooking the water.

Need to know - Raby Bay Foreshore Park – Masthead Drive, Cleveland; Raby Bay Harbour – 152-156 Shore Street West, Cleveland

By Dominique Falk