Bribie Island National Park – the perfect escape from Brisbane

Description

Bribie Island National Park is located on the east coast of Queensland, 38 km from Caboolture, 68 km from Caloundra, and 65 km from  Brisbane.

The park is known mostly for 4WD driving and fishing.  You can explore open woodlands, fragrant paperbark wetlands, scrubby coastal heaths, and see the blooming wildflowers in spring and autumn.

The big highlight of Bribie National Park is a long wide beach that can be driven and camped. There are numerous campsite spots behind small dunes overlooking the sea. Beach camping on Bribie Island is a perfect way to enjoy the natural beauty of Queensland’s coast.

Before setting up camp, be sure to obtain camping permits, which are required for all camping on the island. Once you’ve secured your permit, you’ll find plenty of open spaces to pitch your tent or park your camper, with easy access to the beach and ocean views.

For those who love to explore on foot, there are numerous walking tracks within walking distance of the camping areas, including the Bicentennial Trail, which offers stunning views of the Pumicestone Passage and surrounding countryside.

Whether you’re looking for a romantic getaway or a fun-filled family vacation, beach camping on Bribie Island is an experience not to be missed.

Bring your kayak and paddle along the coastal lagoon past mangrove honeyeaters or black-necked storks. 

Also, try fishing among the sandbars, and if you are lucky you can see dolphins frolicking in the water.

Pets and generators are not permitted in the park.

In general, the weather on Bribie Island is good all year round.

Winter nights are colder but still very reasonable to camp (min 10 C). In summer, even on hot days, there is a breeze coming from the ocean.

Bribie Island Average Temperatures and Rainfall

Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
29	29	28	26	24	21	21	22	24	25	27	28	Max
22	22	21	17	14	12	11	11	14	17	20	21	Min
138	142	146	91	68	82	30	35	37	86	84	111	Rain mm
13	15	16	11	9	10	8	5	9	10	10	12	Rain days

All-year-round. Spring and autumn are preferable for those who like milder temperatures and less rain.

Bribie Island is an easily accessible and popular destination for nature enthusiasts and beachgoers. The park is located just off the coast of Queensland and can be reached by a short drive from Brisbane, the state capital, which is approximately 65 kilometres to the south. Visitors can access the park by taking the Bribie Island bridge, which connects the island to the mainland.

Driving inside the park can only be done with a high-clearance 4WD vehicle. It is due, to the inland tracks having deep sand sections and you would get bogged easily in a conventional vehicle.

Book your camping spot online via Queensland National Parks

We recommend taking the west entrance to Bribie National Park, camping in one of the camping areas (Gallagher Point or Poverty Creek – check below), camping on the beach, and then returning by the beach on a low tide by Ocean Beach Access Track.

This way you complete a full Bribie loop seeing all the attractions and camping on the way.

Access from the west (via White Patch Esplanade)

Once you passed Bribie Bridge, you take the first exit on the roundabout into Sunderland Drive. Then, follow the road and later turn left into White Patch Esplanade. 

After a short drive, you reach a small car park with Information Board that leads to inland tracks.

Access by Ocean Beach Access Track

Follow the road to Woorim and once you reach the small town take North Street. The street takes you to the Woorim Beach car park from where you can take the inland Ocean Beach Access Track.

Accommodation

Gallagher Point

4 WD Access Only

No Toilets

No Showers

Tent, Camper Site

Single Axe Camper Site

Campfires allowed

Dogs NOT Allowed

Small campsite without facilities overlooking Pumicestone Passage.

Poverty Creek

4 WD Access Only

Toilets

Showers

Tent, Camper Site

Single Axe Camper Site

Campfires allowed

Dogs NOT Allowed

Wide, grassy area with shady trees. You have to view Glass House Mountains over the Pumicestone Passage.

Good spot for fishing to get a flathead, whiting, tailor, or mangrove jack.

Mission Point

Boat Access Only

Toilets

Showers

Tent, Camper Site

No Access to Trailers

Campfires allowed

Dogs NOT Allowed

Perfect, secluded spot if you have a boat. Glass House Mountain in a distance.

Lime Pocket

Boat Access Only

No Toilets

No Showers

Tent, Camper Site

No Access to Trailers

Campfires allowed

Dogs NOT Allowed

A small campsite that is accessible by boat only. 

Ocean Beach Camping Area

4 WD Access Only

No Toilets

No Showers

Tent, Camper Site

Single Axe Camper Site

Campfires allowed

Dogs NOT Allowed

Ocean Beach Camping Area stretches for 3 km behind the dunes. There are many spots available and they are popular so book in advance.

You can drive to the beach, go fishing and relax. It can be very windy.

Book your camping spot online via Queensland National Parks

Bribie Island Caravan Park

2WD Access

Free Wi-Fi

Power Sites

Tents, Caravans, Cabins

No Dogs Allowed

Located in Woorim offers camping sites, ensuites, villas, and cabins. It is the closest caravan park to the beach on Bribie Island.

Bongaree Caravan Park

2WD Access

Free Wi-Fi

Power Sites

Tents, Caravans, Cabins

NoDogs Allowed

Located in Bongaree just across the road from the famous Pumicestone Passage. You can view Glass House Mountains and Red Cliff in a distance.

If you are lucky you can spot dolphins, dugongs, or turtles.

There is a number of walking tracks and shops around.

Bellara Caravan Park

2WD Access

Free Wi-Fi

Power Sites

Tents, Caravans, Cabins

No Dogs Allowed

RV Park in Bribie Island. Not much information on the website but they have good Google reviews.

Family holiday accommodation

Bribie Island is a picturesque destination in Queensland that offers visitors an array of activities and attractions. One of the best places to stay on the island is the Big4 Sandstone Point Holiday Resort, which is a popular choice for families and travellers looking for a comfortable and fun-filled accommodation.

The resort features a variety of facilities, including a water park, an outdoor cinema, a mini-golf course, and a range of dining options. It is conveniently located close to some of the island’s best beaches, making it an ideal base for exploring the stunning coastline. Visitors can also take advantage of the many outdoor activities on offer, such as fishing, kayaking, and hiking in the nearby national park.

Bribie Island National Park is a popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts and beachgoers, offering visitors an array of activities and attractions to enjoy. One of the most popular activities is exploring the park’s four-wheel drive tracks, which wind through the dunes and along the coast, providing breathtaking views of the ocean and surrounding landscape.

The park is also a popular spot for fishing, with plenty of opportunities to catch bream, whiting, and flathead in the surrounding waters.

Visitors can also take advantage of the park’s numerous walking trails, which offer a chance to explore the island’s diverse flora and fauna, including the endangered Loggerhead Turtle.

For those looking for more leisurely activities, the park’s stunning beaches are ideal for swimming, sunbathing, and picnicking.

Finally, nature lovers can also take part in birdwatching or simply take in the scenic beauty of the Pumicestone Passage.

Fort Bribie

Fort Bribie’s 5km walk starts north from the point where the inland track adjoins the beach. On the way, you find gun emplacements and searchlight buildings that were built during World War II.

Back in 1940, the Japanese invaded the Coral Sea and large ships were heading to Port of Brisbane. Because Moreton Bay’s shallow waters were scattered between small islands and sandbars, the ships had to pass close to the land.

Bribie Island with its foredunes was a great place to place the guns of the Heavy Coastal Altirely Battery to stop the ships.

It is a must place to see when you are on Bribie Island. Note, that, right where the  Fort Bribie walk ends, further north 4WD driving is not permitted.

We visited Bribie Island National Park at the beginning of June. Luckily the night’s temperatures were around 14 degrees, so we enjoyed our stay. 

We decided to camp for 2 nights in the Poverty Creek campground as it has toilets and showers.

One day we were surprised by goannas scavenging on someone’s site. People left some leftovers and the animals took it as an opportunity.

After two nights in Poverty Creek, we joined the inland track and drove to the north part of Bribie Island.

We visited Fort Bribie and slowly headed back south driving on the beach, and stopping on the way a few times.

This time we did not plan to camp on the beach, but we had to check a few sites for the next time.

Interesting facts about Bribie Island National Park

• Bribie Island is the only Queensland island connected to the mainland by a bridge. This makes it easily accessible for visitors and provides a perfect getaway from the hustle and bustle of nearby urban areas like Brisbane.
• Bribie Island National Park consists of a range of ecosystems, including heathlands, paperbark swamps, eucalypt forests, and tidal wetlands. This diverse environment supports a wide array of plant and animal species.
• The park is recognised as an Important Bird Area by BirdLife International, with over 350 bird species recorded on the island. Birdwatchers can spot migratory shorebirds, birds of prey, and various waterbirds, among others.
• Bribie Island National Park provides a sanctuary for several endangered species, including the loggerhead turtle and the dugong. The park’s beaches serve as nesting sites for turtles, while the seagrass beds in the surrounding waters are an essential habitat for dugongs.
• The Gubbi Gubbi people are the traditional custodians of the land, and the park holds cultural significance for them. Evidence of their presence, such as shell middens, can be found throughout the park.
• Bribie Island National Park offers a variety of recreational activities for visitors, including camping, swimming, fishing, and four-wheel driving. The park also features a network of walking tracks, allowing visitors to explore its diverse landscapes and observe the abundant wildlife.
• The park is home to Fort Bribie, a series of World War II fortifications built to protect the Brisbane coastline. Visitors can explore the remains of the fort, including gun emplacements and observation towers, providing a glimpse into the island’s military history.

Have you been to Bribie Island National Park?

What was your experience? Please drop a comment below.

Enjoy outdoors with Tentworld equipment