The Best Things to See and Do on Bribie Island.
Explore the beautiful and wild Bribie Island on your next Australian road trip. With fantastic camper, motorhome and camping facilities, plus amazing free (and paid) things to do on Bribie Island, discover why this Queensland island should be at the top of your next travel itinerary.
Where is Bribie Island, Queensland?
Located in south-east Queensland, Bribie Island is found less than a 2-hour drive from Brisbane. Although it sits off the Sunshine Coast, Bribie Island is one of three sand islands that make up Brisbane’s Moreton Bay Region. Due to its proximity to the mainland and the ease of getting there, Bribie Island is one of the easiest islands in Australia to visit. Interested in exploring more of Queensland? See our helpful Queensland guide.
Why Bribie Island should be on your bucket list when travelling Australia
While Queensland is famous for its popular tourist road trips like the Pacific Coast Way and Brisbane to Tropic of Capricorn, Bribie Island is more of a locals getaway and there’s a reason why Australians love it. It is worth going to Bribie Island because the 148 square kilometre island is jam-packed with pristine beaches, lush forests, and coastal headlands. Spend your mornings swimming, sunbathing, and beachcombing and your afternoons spotting kangaroos, wallabies, dolphins, birds, and other native wildlife on Bribie Island’s scenic trails and reserves.
Road trip enthusiasts will be pleased to hear that Bribie Island is very campervan friendly with a number of fantastic camper facilities and dedicated Bribie Island camping sites. So, you can enjoy the freedom of coastal living while still enjoying easy access to essential services and facilities.
Best time to visit Bribie Island
Thanks to its southern Queensland location, the weather on Bribie Island is comfortably warm all year round. January and February are the hottest and wettest months, but June and July really put on some amazing weather. The shoulder seasons of spring and autumn are also great times to visit Bribie Island.
Getting to Bribie Island
Given Bribie Island is both a popular road trip destination and, well, an island, it often begs the obvious question ‘How do you get over to Bribie Island?’ Thanks to its proximity to the Queensland coast, you can actually drive across to Bribie Island via the Bribie Bridge. Located just 65km north of the Brisbane Apollo Branch, and 70km south of Caloundra, you can reach the connecting Bribie Bridge via the Bruce Highway.
Wondering if you can drive a car (or camper) on Bribie Island? Yes, you can drive your Apollo camper here! Just be aware that some areas in the Bribie Island National Park and Recreation Area are 4WD only so be sure to always follow the rules and signposts, which you can find out about on the Queensland Government’s website. Although it may seem tempting, please also remember that Apollo campervans and motorhomes cannot be driven on the beach (this includes our 4WD campers).
Where to stay on Bribie Island
While the island isn’t big, there are a number of fantastic Bribie Island accommodation options including Bribie Island caravan parks and camping sites.
Bribie Island Caravan Park
A great Bribie accommodation option is the Bribie Island Caravan Park. Located just 200 metres from Woorim Beach, this family friendly park includes a camp kitchen, barbecues, laundromat, swimming pool, playground, and even mini golf.
Bongaree Caravan Park
The Bongaree Caravan Park hosts both camping, caravans and cabins with a spacious kitchen, barbecues, kiosk and laundry. Located on the western side of Bribie Island, you’ll also be treated to gorgeous views over the Sunshine Coast’s Glass House Mountains.
BIG4 Sandstone Point Holiday Resort
While there are no BIG4 parks on Bribie Island, the BIG4 Sandstone Point is located only a three minute drive from the island, on the mainland side of the connecting Bribie Bridge. Situated against the famous Pumicestone Passage, this BIG4 park has incredible facilities including a waterpark, heated pool, kids’ room, tennis court and playground plus camp kitchens, gyms and outdoor meeting areas.
The best things to see and do on Bribie Island
1. Make a day of it at Bongaree Beach
Enjoy the simpler side of life with a day at Bongaree Beach. One of the best free things to do on Bribie Island, pack a picnic, don your swimmers, and enjoy a family fun day splashing around the shallow waters or jumping off the Bungaree jetty.
2. Book a 4WD Adventure Tour
Explore the wilder side of Bribie Island with a 4WD tour with G’day Adventure Tours. One of the best things to do on Bribie Island, on this 4WD tour you can visit Bribie Island beach, lagoons, WWII bunkers and more. Depending on your travel itinerary you can opt for shorter or longer durations and early to midday starts. This is a fantastic way to explore the 4WD-ing side of Bribie Island.
3. Take a tasty cruise around the islands with Ferryman Cruises
Add a cruise to your Bribie Island travel itinerary. Not just scenic, Ferryman Cruises host morning tea, captain’s lunch, and seafood sunset cruises. Here you can enjoy Devonshire tea, Moreton Bay seafood and light lunches as you explore the Bribie Island surroundings.
4. Explore Pumicestone Passage
Reaching from the tip of Bribie Island near Caloundra in the north to Deception Bay in the south, the Pumicestone Passage is a pristine stretch of ocean that separates Bribie Island from mainland Australia. However, it’s contribution to your Bribie Island experience is much more than that. As you explore Pumicestone Passage keep your eyes out for frolicking dolphins, dugongs, and turtles in the water, while counting how many of the 35 species of shorebirds you spot above.
5. Check out the Bribie Island Seaside Museum
Not too far from the Pumicestone Passage, the Bribie Island Seaside Museum recognises and showcases the fascinating history of Bribie Island. Featuring stories from Australia’s First Nation elders, films of the famous S. S. Koopa, an impressive collection of preserved fish and recollections from Bribie Island’s role in World War II, be sure to check out the latest exhibitions before visiting.
6. Encounter wildlife at Bribie Island National Park
One of the best things to do at Bribie Island and a key reason why hundreds visit each year is the Bribie Island National Park. Covering one third of Bribie Island and boasting beautiful coastal and forest scenery, Bribie Island National Park is home to a wide array of Australian wildlife. As you explore, keep your eyes out for goannas, kangaroos, emus, kookaburras, and birds migrating from as far as Kakadu in the Northern Territory!
7. Eat your fill of fresh seafood on Bribie Island
If you’re a fan of seafood, you’ve come to the right place. Bribie Island is overflowing with delicious fresh seafood. Enjoy quintessential fish and chips from Savige’s Seafood, the Oyster Shed Beach Club for something special and don’t leave Bribie Island without stopping at the classic Pig Face Seafood Takeaway (it’s highly rated for a reason!).
Image: Tourism and Events Queensland
8. Stop at the Bribie Island Community Arts Centre
Get your art fix at the Bribie Island Community Arts Centre. This underrated Bribie attraction is one of the best things to do on Bribie Island where you can browse and shop contemporary artwork, enjoy a coffee, and even take an art workshop!
9. Visit the Bribie Island Butterfly House
If you’re visiting Bribie Island on a Wednesday or Sunday, you’ll want to put Bribie Island Butterfly House at the top of your travel itinerary. Spend an hour wandering through the aviary, home to hundreds of multicoloured butterflies. Due to its popularity, mornings can be quite busy, so early afternoon visits are recommended and if you want to increase your chance with a butterfly photo op, wear bright colours as butterflies are more likely to land on you if you do.
10. Explore The Bribie Island Bicentennial Trails
Get active on the 3.8km Bribie Island Bicentennial Trail. All classified as easy walks, enjoy a leisurely stroll through paperbark wetlands and eucalyptus forests. This free activity on Bribie Island is a great way to immerse yourself in nature with many colourful birds, including the Rainbow Bee-Eater and Eastern Yellow Robins, spotted along the walk.
See the best of Bribie Island, Queensland with Apollo
If you’re ready for a family fun Bribie Island road trip adventure, we’re here to get you there. Choose your Apollo camper or motorhome, book your campervan hire online, pick up at our dedicated Brisbane branch and you’ll be on your way.
Looking for more Queensland road trips after seeing Bribie Island? Check out our helpful Queensland tips and travel itineraries below:
- Explore Queensland
- The Pacific Coast Way – Brisbane to Cairns
- Brisbane to the Tropic of Capricorn Road Trip