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Bribie Island

Difficulty: Trek rating 3 of 5 - Click for detailsTrek rating 3 of 5 - Click for detailsTrek rating 3 of 5 - Click for details   Suitable for: 4WD 
An short and easy sand drive close to Brisbane that doesn’t a need ferry for access. Camping available.
StartClick to Reverse the Dynamic Map and Driving NotesSandstone Point
Trek
FinishSandstone Point
Distance56.65 kmMinimum Days1
Average Speed28.98 km/hrDriving Time1 hr 57 min
Article By: Member - Robert   Updated: 10 Dec 2007
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 Description

Think sand driving in the region around Brisbane and you think of Fraser Island, or perhaps Moreton Island. There you can have some great sand driving, camping, see wildlife both in and out of the water and generally enjoy life - but to do that you need to get there, and that can be a problem in the peak season.

Bribie Island is a mere 70km north of Brisbane, and has two 4WD tracks; a free-access, shortish one on the western side of the island starting from Mission Beach, and a longer one on the eastern side of the island for which a permit is needed; that's the subject of this Trek Note.

There's no problem with booking ferries to Bribie, you just drive across the Bribie Bridge and you're onto the 34km long island. Don't let your tyres down just yet, because the island has plenty of bitumen roads and is home to some 15,000 people who inhabit the southernmost 20% or so. The rest is largely a national park, home to 350 species of birds, and beaches.

You can go as far as 22km, to within 6km of Caloundra. There you will find a sign forbidding further progress due to the beach being eroded by 3.7m a year. The area is also used by land-yachters. Also towards the northern end are the fifty-odd campsites, spread along a 3km stretch of the beach designated by signs.

In summary, Bribie Island isn't ever going to compete with Fraser Island for sand-driving fun or scenery, but it's an easy four-wheel drive with plenty of spots for a fairly isolated family picnic. When you're all done there's many more attractions on the island to explore such as golf, scuba diving, bike hire, tennis, surfing, bowling, fishing, birdwatching, bushwalking or boat hire. And best of all, you've got a pretty good chance of just turning up and getting going!

 Interactive Route Map

Sandstone PointWoorimBribie Island (Starting Point)Bribie Island BeachNorfolk CreekWelsby LagoonBribie Island (Campsites)Bribie Island (Max North)Fort BribieBribie Island (Max North)Bribie Island (Campsites)Welsby LagoonNorfolk CreekBribie Island BeachBribie Island (Starting Point)WoorimSandstone Point
Features: Populated Place
Position: 153.1324ºE   27.0837ºS (GDA 94)
Next Place: Woorim
Distance: 9.68km
Average Speed: 46.43km/h
Woorim
No description entered. Enter description or photos.
Features: Populated Place
Position: 153.2043ºE   27.0693ºS (GDA 94)
Next Place: Bribie Island (Starting Point)
Distance: 1.45km
Average Speed: 37.24km/h
Features: Point of Interest
Position: 153.1983ºE   27.0576ºS (GDA 94)
Next Place: Bribie Island Beach
Distance: 1.86km
Average Speed: 15.65km/h
Features: Beach
Position: 153.1895ºE   27.0435ºS (GDA 94)
Next Place: Norfolk Creek
Distance: 2.12km
Average Speed: 24.49km/h
Norfolk Creek
Permanent creek which breaks through to the ocean every couple of years. Extreme caution when crossing if water is flowing into the ocean.
Features: National Parks,Reserves River Crossing Water Body,River,Stream,Falls
Position: 153.1796ºE   27.0268ºS (GDA 94)
Welsby Lagoon
Commonly known as the 'Fourth Lagoon'. Unlike 2nd and 3rd lagoons, rarely breaks out to the ocean. If flowing into the ocean, care should be taken when crossing.
Features: National Parks,Reserves River Crossing Water Body,River,Stream,Falls
Position: 153.1544ºE   26.9666ºS (GDA 94)
Bribie Island (Campsites)
Designated camping area in Bribie Island National Park. Some sites now with drop toilets. All sites must be booked prior to arrival.
Features: Camp Fee
Position: 153.1329ºE   26.8880ºS (GDA 94)
Bribie Island (Max North)
Most northerly point on the island accessible by vehicle.
Features: Point of Interest
Position: 153.1295ºE   26.8542ºS (GDA 94)
Fort Bribie
Remains of fortifications constructed during the second world war to provide a defence for the sea approaches to Brisbane. Half a dozen concrete buildings survive, but have been badly damaged by vandals in the last couple of years.
Features: Point of Interest
Position: 153.1300ºE   26.8543ºS (GDA 94)
Bribie Island (Max North)
Most northerly point on the island accessible by vehicle.
Features: Point of Interest
Position: 153.1295ºE   26.8542ºS (GDA 94)
Bribie Island (Campsites)
Designated camping area in Bribie Island National Park. Some sites now with drop toilets. All sites must be booked prior to arrival.
Features: Camp Fee
Position: 153.1329ºE   26.8880ºS (GDA 94)
Welsby Lagoon
Commonly known as the 'Fourth Lagoon'. Unlike 2nd and 3rd lagoons, rarely breaks out to the ocean. If flowing into the ocean, care should be taken when crossing.
Features: National Parks,Reserves River Crossing Water Body,River,Stream,Falls
Position: 153.1544ºE   26.9666ºS (GDA 94)
Norfolk Creek
Permanent creek which breaks through to the ocean every couple of years. Extreme caution when crossing if water is flowing into the ocean.
Features: National Parks,Reserves River Crossing Water Body,River,Stream,Falls
Position: 153.1796ºE   27.0268ºS (GDA 94)
Features: Beach
Position: 153.1895ºE   27.0435ºS (GDA 94)
Features: Point of Interest
Position: 153.1983ºE   27.0576ºS (GDA 94)
Woorim
No description entered. Enter description or photos.
Features: Populated Place
Position: 153.2043ºE   27.0693ºS (GDA 94)
Features: Populated Place
Position: 153.1324ºE   27.0837ºS (GDA 94)

Route Control

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 Permits

4WD Beach Permit: $32 Weekly. Annual permits are available - $100. You will need your vehicle registration papers and driver's license. Permits available from: Bonagree Caravan Park (cash only) or by calling 131304. 4WD beach permits are not available from the Rangers. Camping Permit: Gallaghers Point and Poverty Creek: $4 per person per night, or $16 for a family (2 adults and kids). Book on 131304. For camping at Ocean Beach, your beach permit is needed and camping sites are on a 'first come, first in' basis.

 Things to See & Do

Welsby Lagoon   
 National Parks,Reserves River Crossing Water Body,River,Stream,Falls
Commonly known as the 'Fourth Lagoon'. Unlike 2nd and 3rd lagoons, rarely breaks out to the ocean. If flowing into the ocean, care should be taken when crossing.
Norfolk Creek   
 National Parks,Reserves River Crossing Water Body,River,Stream,Falls
Permanent creek which breaks through to the ocean every couple of years. Extreme caution when crossing if water is flowing into the ocean.
Fort Bribie   
Point of Interest 
Remains of fortifications constructed during the second world war to provide a defence for the sea approaches to Brisbane. Half a dozen concrete buildings survive, but have been badly damaged by vandals in the last couple of years.
Bribie Island (Max North)   
Point of Interest 
Most northerly point on the island accessible by vehicle.
Bribie Island Beach   
Beach 
No description entered. Enter description or photos.
Sand driving, windy, wavy beaches

 Preparation

Permits are required for the beach drive, and an additional permit for camping. Once on the beach, you may need to wait for high tide to pass before you can return, to comply with the rule banning vehicles within 5m of the dunes. If camping on the western side of the island, there aren't any facilities, so remember your shovel and bring your own firewood.

Fuel Supplies & Usage

Fuel Symbol Diesel4cyl 8 litres ULP4cyl 14 litres * LPG4cyl 11 litres
6cyl 9 litres6cyl 10 litres6cyl 10 litres
8cyl 10 litres8cyl 9 litres
Usage is averaged from TrekFuel (* specific to trek) submissions and calculated based on trek distance.
Several places on the island have diesel, ULP and PULP. There is a Caltex on Bribie Island at 151-153 First Avenue, Bribie Island, QLD 4507.

Best Time To Visit

Closest Climatic Station

Cape Moreton Lighthouse
Distance from Trek Mid Point 30.46km E
 JanFebMarAprMayJun JulAugSepOctNovDec
Mean Max. °C 26.826.726.024.2 21.719.618.919.7 21.423.024.626.0
Mean Min. °C 21.922.021.219.1 16.414.113.213.9 15.817.819.421.0
Mean Rain mm 151.0159.2181.6147.5 172.0138.0116.778.4 66.180.795.6129.0
    Best time to travel      Ok time to travel      Travel NOT recommended
Bribie Island itself has food, fuel and other supplies. Brisbane is only a hour away to the south.

 Camp Sites & Accomodation

Bribie Island (Campsites)   
Camp Fee 
Designated camping area in Bribie Island National Park. Some sites now with drop toilets. All sites must be booked prior to arrival.

 Environment

About 80% of Bribie Island is National Park where you will find 350 species of birds as well as turtles, dugongs and dolphins. There are also endless kilometres of unspoilt beaches and a few inland lagoons.

 History

Bribie Island was used as a defence for Brisbane in WWII. Just past the camping area on the eastern side of the island, you will find WWII Bunkers and Gun Emplacements.

 Driving Directions

Time
Direction
Distance
Sandstone Point to Woorim 9.68 km E 77° 12 min
Woorim to Bribie Island (Starting Point) 1.45 km NW 336° 2 min
Bribie Island (Starting Point) to Bribie Island Beach 1.86 km NW 331° 7 min
Bribie Island Beach to Norfolk Creek 2.12 km NW 332° 5 min
Sandstone Point to Sandstone Point 56.65 km     1 hr 57 min
Distance is GPS recorded driving distance (not straight line), Direction is straight line from start to end, Time is calculated from actual GPS driving data.

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