As the only island in Queensland connected to the mainland by bridge, Bribie Island offers an island escape that is easy to reach and hard to leave! Calm waters lap the shores of Pumicestone Passage on one side, while surf beaches and sandy tracks stretch along the other. Add abundant wildlife, outdoor adventures and a tight-knit community, and it’s easy to see why Bribie Island makes for a gorgeous island escape and is popular with holidaymakers and day-trippers alike.
An island with two different personalities, Bribie pairs surf beaches on its Eastern edge with calm, protected waters to the West. Spend a morning chasing waves at Woorim Ocean Beach before swapping the surfboard for a picnic rug at Bongaree or Bellara, where the waters of Pumicestone Passage create an ideal spot for families.
Take any stress of planning your trip away and trust the adventure with G’day Adventure Tours - these are bound to get you pumped. Their 4WD adventures take you beyond the popular foreshore to hidden pockets many visitors otherwise may not see. Along the way, you can get up close and personal with native wildlife, kayak through the mangroves of Norfolk Lagoon, cruise in search of dolphins or enjoy an iconic beachside seafood picnic.
Running between Bribie Island and the mainland, the 35-kilometre Pumicestone Passage is where much of the island’s outdoor adventure happens. This protected waterway is a safe haven for wildlife, and a favourite for kayaking or kitesurfing, bird watching and fishing. If you would rather keep things simple, find a spot along the shoreline and watch the magic of a sunset over the mountain ranges beyond.
Pumicestone Passage is gorgeous to look at, and even better to be out on. Hire a kayak from Bribie Beach Shack and paddle your way through the passage, or switch things up and rent stand up paddle boards, paddle boats, and electric bikes and explore at your own pace.
Ride the waves of Bribie’s coastline and discover a new hobby with Bribie Island Surf School. With the picture-perfect conditions – small waves and warm waters of the island, plus experienced instructors, discover the thrill of catching your first wave, in some of the island’s most beautiful scenery.
Swap a restaurant reservation for a table on the water with the gorgeous Bribie Island Gondola Cruise. As Pumicestone Point begins to glow in the late afternoon, sit back and enjoy this unforgettable experience with your favourite person. The gondola seats up to six people and includes onboard music, while BYO drinks and nibbles are welcome. For an extra romantic evening opt for the two-hour cruise that highlights gourmet meals made an exclusive chef.
Hire a BBQ boat from BBQ Boat Hire Bribie Island or Bribie Island Boat Charters and take lunch onto the water. No licence is required, so taking part in this adventure is accessible to all. Pack an esky, buy some snags and cruise the calm waterways while the BBQ sizzles away.
If you have ever watched a jet ski tear through the bay and thought ‘that looks fun’, here is your chance to give it a go! Moreton Bay Jetski Hire and Ride offers guided jet ski experiences across Bribie, with no boat licence required. Choose between a 60-minute, 90-minute or four-hour experience and get your taste of this adrenaline pumping water sport.
No Bribie trip is complete without a stop at Red Beach if you are travelling with your four-legged friend. With open white sands and typically calm waters to explore, it’s a favourite spot to let your pup run, swim and play!
Camping and Bribie Island often go hand in hand - the Bribie Island Recreation Area provides a variety of coastal camping experiences, with some sites accessible by 4WD, others by boat. For a classic camping experience, head to Ocean Beach camping area, located 16 kilometres North of the beach access point at Woorim. If you want to bring along a caravan, Island Caravan Parks offer a convenient base within easy reach of the beach, cafes and adventures.
With a collective network of cycling paths along Bribie Island, Pumicestone Passage and Bongaree Beach are two cycling destinations for those looking to bask in the sun and take in the scenic surroundings on two wheels. Bike along the beach, start at the esplanade and make your way through to Sylvan Beach on the other side of the bridge.
Bribie Island
Explore the history and heritage of Bribie Island on foot. Start at Bongaree Jetty and follow the Self-Guided Walkabout, which links 17 sites along your way to finish up at the Pioneer’s Heritage Plaque – where you can learn the stories of the people and places that helped shape island life along the way. This map will guide you through your walkabout and take you on a journey!
For a deeper dive, join the Bribie Island Heritage Walk and Talk Tour through the Bibimulya Wetlands, where local volunteer guides reveal fascinating tales of Bribie, including its role in coastal defence during World War II.
If you enjoy a stroll through eucalypt forest and paperbark wetlands, head to the Bribie Island Bicentennial Trails. Beginning near the Bribie Island Community Arts Centre, the four-kilometre circuit winds through a variety of native bushland. Allow around an hour to complete the trail and keep an eye out for local birdlife along the way (hint: rainbow bee-eaters, red-backed wrens and eastern yellow robins). When you have finished, reward yourself with a picnic of stop by the Community Arts Centre Cafe for a homemade treat.
Bribie Island Butterfly House, Bribie Island
The Bribie Island Community Arts Centre is the heart of creativity and the arts on Bribie Island. Drop by the Banksia Beach building to see contemporary art, woodwork, pottery, fabric and glass work by local artists, then grab a seat at the onsite cafe – Cafe 191 for a coffee and sweet treat.
Learn about the stories of Bribie and the people who shaped, lived and loved it at the Bribie Island Seaside Museum. Discover Matthew Flinders’ encounter at Skirmish Point, explore the life of the brilliant reclusive artist Ian Fairweather and learn about the American troop occupation during World War II. Alongside its permanent displays, the museum hosts a rotating program of exhibitions including Imaginarium Nocturnal Life, where you can step into the magic and fascinations of creatures who emerge from the night.
Step inside a tropical garden filled with fluttering wings at the Bribie Island Butterfly House. Home to 700 colourful butterflies, the enclosed aviary offers a unique opportunity to see these delicate creatures up close while learning more about their life cycle and habitat. Hot tip: wear bright colours to encourage the butterflies to land on you and remember to snap a picture!
If you have explored Bribie Island by land and water, why not see it all from above? Join Oceanview Helicopters for a special experience and unique view of the island – onboard, point out the activities you have completed below.
It’s no wonder that a relaxing coastal island is home to an abundance of fish ‘n’ chipperies. From old-school takeaway shops to waterfront seafood spots, Bribie has plenty of places to satisfy a craving for freshly battered fish and crispy chips. Grab a takeaway feast from local favourites such as Savige's Seafood or Sylvan Beach Seafood, then find a spot along the foreshore and enjoy your fish and chips with a view.
Climb aboard a miniature steam train and take a ride through the bushland surrounds of Melsa Park. Held on the third Sunday of each month, the Melsa Park Steam Train Rides are run by model engineers and live steam enthusiasts, offering a nostalgic experience that is just as fun for adults as it is kids.
Sitting across the bridge, on the mainland from Bribie Island sits the trendy Sandstone Point Hotel. Overlooking the water with lush green lawns stretching towards Pumicestone Passage, it's the perfect vantage point for island viewing, long lunches with friends and a sunset drink. From time to time, it hosts boutique music festivals on the green as well as trivia so keep an eye out on the events calendar.
Water is a central theme at Pacific Harbour Golf Course, where wetlands, watercourse and native vegetation combine to create one of the Brisbane Region’s most scenic courses. The 18-hole championship course offers a classic “risk and reward” style par. Drop by for a round, take your clubs to the practice range, purchase new gear at the shop and dine in the course-side restaurant and bar.