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.
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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.
Weather
In general, the weather in 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 |
Best Time to Visit
All-year-round. Spring and autumn are preferable for those who like milder temperatures and less rain.
Access & how to get there
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 kilometers 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, the inland tracks have deep sand sections and you would get bogged easily in a conventional vehicle.
Since February 2020, there are surveillance cameras in use to scan car number plates. A penalty applies to tourists entering the park without a vehicle access permit. Make sure you book your permit below.
Book your camping spot online via Queensland National Parks
We recommend taking the west entrance to Bribie National Park, camp in one of the camping areas (Gallagher Point or Poverty Creek – check below), camp on the beach, and then return 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 Woorim Beach car park from where you can take the inland Ocean Beach Access Track.
Accomodation
Bribie Island Camping
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 sand 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.
When driving deep sand make sure you drop your tyres pressure to 20 psi.
Book your camping spot online via Queensland National Parks
Bribie Island caravan 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. No 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 travelers 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.
Things to do
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 sand 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.
If you like the beach, camping in one of the Ocean Beach camping areas is a must.
For walkers, there is a Fort Bribie walk that reminds us of the history of the Second World War.
Fort Bribie
Fort Bribie 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.
Our Experience & Tips
We visited Bribie Island National Park at the beginning of June. Luckily the nights’ 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. Some 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, 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.
Have you been to Bribie Island National Park?
What was your experience? Please drop a comment below.
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4WD Equipment Checklist
GPS Navigator or compass
Maxtrax – if you get bogged, you can use it for additional traction
Tire Deflator – deflate tires quickly when going on dirt or 4WD
Air Compressor – inflate tires quickly after going back on bitumen (we use MM)
Tire Repair Kit – to fix the tire by yourself when you don’t have access to the tire shop (we use Oztrail)
UHF Radio – for communication with your mates and in emergency
Full Recovery Kit (with Dampener Blanket) – must-have if you are going on real off-road
High Lift Jack – useful if you do serious 4WD tracks
Shovel – useful if you get bogged, also good for campfire cooking
Fuel funnel with water filter – additional protection when fueling up in dodgy places
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