Bribie Island - A relaxing holiday on the Queensland coast

Bribie Island is a great holiday destination, and a great one-day trip from Brisbane. The island has been the most popular of the Moreton Bay islands. Bribie Island is just 64 kms north of Brisbane, and is the only island accessible by road bridge.

The island has a long history, being visited by Matthew Flinders. He named Skirmish Point, where he had a “skirmish” with the local aborigines, and he named Pumicetone Passage, the waterway between Bribie Island and the mainland. He had seen pumicestone there. He also named White Patch where he and to make some repairs to his ship “Norfolk”.

There also is evidence of the long gone aboriginal people who lived on the island with the remains of a fish trap at Sandstone Point. Bunkers from World War 2 still remain, and a walk along the white sandy beach north from Woorim will reveal some fun emplacements that were erected to protect the city of Brisbane for invaders from the north.

The island is relatively unspoiled with most of the island being National Park. There is considerable residential and other development on the southern tip of the island, but vast tracts of bushland still surrounds the townships of Bongaree, Bellara, and Woorim.

The Pumicestone Passage side of the island is lapped by the calm waters of the passage, and is pleasant for picnicking in the many picnic grounds, fishing, boating and swimming. There are many spots ideal for families in the safer waters, complete with the safety of the shade of many trees.

The Pacific Ocean laps the other side of the island, so there is surf, sand and sunshine.

There are hotels and camping grounds on both sides of the island, and an array of shops - and plenty of take-away food places, as well as restaurants.

The attractions include the National Parks, the Marine Park of Pumicetone Passage with around 350 species of birds, and provides sanctuary to dugongs, turtles and dolphins. Cruises operate along the Passage, so that visitors may have a chance to be up close and personal, with some of these wonderful sea creatures.

There’s plenty of things to see and do in Bribie Island, including:

• Bongaree Jetty - fishing or just watching those that do
• Bowls Clubs
• Cinema
• Recreation Centre with indoor bowls, tennis courts, etc
• Whitepatch Art Gallery
• Nature walks
• Cycling along the many cycling paths on the island
• Bushwalking
• Camping
• Fishing
• Birdwatching

There are three special areas of “talking monuments” where you can hear about the history of that area.

• Solander Esplanade, Banksia Beach - you will hear the story of the landing of Matthew Flinders
• Marine Drive, Bellara - you will hear the story of the history of the island.
• Community Arts Centre, Banksia Beach - you will hear the story of the history of the aboriginals on the island.

Do check out Bribie Island, it is beautiful, the climate is sub tropical so is great all year round, and it is unspoiled. Just the spot for a really relaxing holiday on the Queensland coast.

Take along with you insect repellent - at dusk you are likely to be visited my some great Ossie Mossies!