Located in Moreton Bay, north of Brisbane, Bribie Island is the perfect destination for a family day trip. Where else can you enjoy all the fun and attractions of a beautiful Queensland island without having to catch a plane or take a ferry? In just over an hour of leaving the hustle and bustle of the city, you can be lying on a beach towel, making sandcastles and jumping waves on a beautiful, pristine beach, surrounded by stunning natural scenery and amazing wildlife. This is a Brisbane Kids day trip not to be missed! It will remind you how lucky we are to live in this wonderful location and to have such awesome places right here on our doorstep!
About Bribie Island
At 34-kilometres long and 8-kilometres across at its widest point, Bribie Island is the smallest of the three main sand islands of Moreton Bay. Bribie Island lies off the coast of South East Queensland, stretching from just beyond Sandstone Point in the south to Caloundra in the north. It is separated from the mainland by Pumicestone Passage on the west, and is sheltered by Moreton Island on the east. Most of the island is devoted to national park, while the remainder is inhabited and features plenty of retail, service and recreational facilities for the local community and visitors alike.
Visitor Information Centre
A great first stop on reaching Bribie Island is the Bribie Island Visitor Information Centre, located on Benabrow Avenue at Bongaree, close to where you come off the bridge from the mainland. Call in here at the start of your trip to find out what is on, great places to visit and other attractions, and to pick up a map or other leaflets. For more information, call the Visitor Information Centre on 07 3408 9026 or visit moretonbay.qld.gov.au.
For a great map of Bribie Island, check out this link.
Bribie Island Beaches
A highlight of any trip to Bribie Island is exploring the beautiful beaches.
Surf Side
The east side of the island is known as the ‘surf side’. This is the place to visit if you hope to catch some waves. The main beach is located at Woorim, where you will find the surf club, public toilet facilities, a playground, barbecues, picnic areas and more. The beach here is patrolled, but as it is the surf side, do be mindful of big waves and possible rough waters. Head south of here for quieter beach access areas, all looking out over Moreton Bay and across to Moreton Island. At the southernmost access points you can find a beautiful stretch of some of the best dog off-leash area close to Brisbane. Head north of Woorim and you will find access to the 4WD beach and beach camping areas.
Click here to book a campsite or vehicle access permit.
Passage Side
The west side of Bribie Island is known as the ‘Passage Side’ as it runs alongside Pumicestone Passage. This side of the island also has lots of great beaches. Though the beaches tend to be narrower and less picturesque than those on the east of the island, the sand tends to slope more gently into the water and the sheltered waters of the passage make for a much safer sea experience for little kids.
With the options of both surf beaches and sheltered safe swimming beaches, Bribie really does have something for everyone. For a full list of beaches on Bribie Island and their facilities, click here. You can even spot sea life such as dolphins frolicking in the sparking waters as you sit and relax on the beach!
Bribie Island Community Arts Centre
The Bribie Island Community Arts Centre is one of Australia’s largest and busiest arts centres. You can see changing exhibitions of paintings, pottery, craftwork, murals, local and Aboriginal artefacts and more. There is also a lovely gift shop. With FREE entry, this is a great place to visit with kids.
The Bribie Island Community Arts Centre is located at 191 Sunderland Drive, Banksia Beach. It is open Tuesday to Sunday, 10am to 4pm. Visit bribieartscentre.com.au for more information.
Seaside Museum
Bribie Island has a rich and colourful history, and you can find out all about it at the Bribie Island Seaside Museum.
The museum is located in Melsa Park in the suburb of Bongaree, overlooking Pumicestone Passage. It is not a massive museum, but it has plenty to interest and entertain kids while teaching them about the island history through exhibitions, interactive displays and regular activities. Plus with FREE entry, this is definitely a fun stop on a Bribie Island trip.
The museum is open 10am-4pm, Tuesday to Friday and 10am-3pm at the weekend. You can find out more about the Seaside Museum here.
Bushwalking on Bribie
There are some great bushwalks on Bribie Island, and with wildlife to spot from kangaroos, wallabies, emus and dingoes, to bats and 350 species of birds, this is a great place to get out and about to discover the wonder of nature.
For a great bushwalk to do with kids, head to the Community Arts Centre, 191 Sunderland Drive, Banksia Beach. From just south of the entrance to the centre, you will find access to the Bicentennial Gardens and the Bicentennial bushwalks. The trail is 3.8 kilometres long (so allow around an hour) and features The Banksia, Palm Grove and Melaleuca walks, which take you through eucalypt forests, paperbark wetlands and wallum heathlands.
Click here for a map of the Bicentennial Bushwalk.
Parks and Playgrounds
Bribie Island has many great parks and playgrounds to visit with kids. At Bongaree, you will find various parks along the shoreline with great play areas close to stretches of beach and overlooking Pumicestone Passage and the mainland. Brennan Park has lots of play equipment, toilet facilities, barbecues and picnic tables close to the Bongaree Jetty. Apex Park, Chamber of Commerce Park, Pumicestone Lions Park and Vietnam Veterans Memorial Park are also close-by, with a range of facilities and equipment.
With two fenced playgrounds, a range of play equipment, toilet facilities and barbecue and picnic areas, Lions Park at Woorim is a must-visit for anyone heading to Bribie Island with kids. You can read a full review of Lions Park here.
Bribie Island Markets
There are plenty of local markets to be enjoyed on Bribie island, for everything from fruit and vegetables to arts and crafts. (Days and times are correct at the time of publishing, but please call the Bribie Island Visitor Information Centre on 07 3408 9026 for up-to-date information.)
Bribie Island and District Community Jetty Markets
The Bribie Island and District Community Jetty Markets are held at Brennan Park, Bongaree on the third Sunday of each month from 6am,
Bribie Rotary Markets
The Rotary Markets are held at Brennan Park, Bongaree on the second Sunday of each month from 7.30am.
Pacific Harbour Marina Markets
The Pacific Harbour Marina Markets are held every Saturday at Pacific Harbour Marina, Marina Boulevard from 6.30am to 12 noon.
Queensland Cancer Council Markets
The Cancer Council Markets are held at Brennan Park, Bongaree on the first Sunday of each month from 7am to 12 noon.
Bribie Island Art and Craft Fair
The Art and Craft Fair is held on the last Sunday of every month at the Bribie Island Community Arts Centre, Sunderland Drive, 8.30am to 1pm.
Getting to Bribie
Linked to the mainland by a road bridge, Bribie Island is easy and convenient to get to. It’s around a 65-kilometre drive from Brisbane (take exit 152 from the Bruce Highway and follow the signs), or you can take public transport all the way to Bribie’s best beaches. Just visit Translink to find plan your journey.
For more information on Bribie Island, call the Bribie Island Visitor Information Centre on 07 3408 9026 or email bribie.tourism@moretonbay.qld.gov.au, or visit nprsr.qld.gov.au/parks/bribie-island.
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