Bribie Island

StartClick to Reverse the Dynamic Map and Driving NotesBribie Island (Max North)
FinishSandstone Point
DifficultyDifficulty 3/5
Suitable For4WD 
Distance35.79 km
Minimum Days1
Average Speed28.79 km/hr
Travel Time1 hr 14 mins
Page Updated: 21 Mar 2020

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!

How to Use this Trek Note

  • To download this information and the route file for offline use on a phone, tablet, headunit or laptop, go to the app store and purchase ExplorOz Traveller. This app enables offline navigation and mapping and will show where you are as you travel along the route. For more info see the ExplorOz Traveller webpage and the EOTopo webpage.

TIP

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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.

TrekID: 95

Preparation

MUST READ: You are strongly encouraged to read the following articles prepared by the knowledge experts at ExplorOz for your safety and preparation before undertaking any published ExplorOz Trek - Outback Safety, Outback Driving Tips, Outback Communications, and Vehicle Setup for the Outback.

TIP

Please refer to Road Reports published by the local shire and/or main roads for the area you intend to visit. Road/Track conditions can change significantly after weather events. Travellers must be responsible for their own research on current conditions and track suitability.
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.

Permits

Permits must be sought prior to landing on Bribie Island. All vehicles must have a current Bribie Island RAM (Recreation Areas Management) vehicle access permit, purchased before entering the island and fixed to the lower left side of the windscreen. Unregistered vehicles are not permitted on Bribie Island.

Fees valid from 1 July 2009
Ensure you obtain your permit before entering a recreation area. Permits may be purchased online.

Bribie Island Recreation Area

  • 1 week - $36.60

  • 1 year - $114.20
They can be purchased from most Qld National Parks Office or on-line or by phone (see above). If you book by phone or on-line, you will be given a reference number and you will still need to call in to a National Parks office to actually pick up your Permit. For more information on this island - click here.

Camping fees

Before camping in a park, forest or similar reserve, you must obtain a camping permit and pay your camping fees.

Camping fees are $5.00 per person per night or $20.00 per family per night. A family group is up to two adults and accompanying children under 18, up to a total of eight people. Children under five are free.

School children on approved excursions are charged $2.75 each.

You can purchase permits for Bribie Island on the Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service website.

Fuel Usage

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.
DieselULPLPG
4cyl 5 litres4cyl 9 litres *4cyl 7 litres
6cyl 5 litres6cyl 6 litres6cyl 6 litres
8cyl 5 litres8cyl 6 litres
Usage is averaged from recorded data (* specific to this trek) and calculated based on trek distance.

Best Time To Visit

Closest Climatic Station

Beerburrum Forest Station
Distance from Trek Mid Point 16.78km W
 JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Mean Max. °C30.329.728.426.524.021.621.623.126.027.528.029.6
Mean Min. °C19.719.918.415.712.510.79.29.312.014.616.418.5
Mean Rain mm203.2202.2174.0116.7122.376.266.145.446.988.7116.9160.9
    Best time to travel      Ok time to travel      Travel NOT recommended

Map

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Directions

Bribie Island (Max North) to Fort Bribie
Driving: 0.05 km
Heading: 93°
Avg Speed: 15.19 km/hr
EST Time: N/A
Fort Bribie to Bribie Island (Max North)
Driving: 0.05 km
Heading: 273°
Avg Speed: 15.19 km/hr
EST Time: N/A
Bribie Island (Max North) to Bribie Island (Campsites)
Driving: 3.88 km
Heading: 175°
Avg Speed: 30.39 km/hr
EST Time: 07:39
Bribie Island (Campsites) to Welsby Lagoon
Driving: 9.28 km
Heading: 166°
Avg Speed: 33.44 km/hr
EST Time: 16:39
Welsby Lagoon to Mermaid Lagoon
Driving: 4.43 km
Heading: 160°
Avg Speed: 48.5 km/hr
EST Time: 05:28
Mermaid Lagoon to Norfolk Creek
Driving: 2.99 km
Heading: 158°
Avg Speed: 21.37 km/hr
EST Time: 08:23
Norfolk Creek to Bribie Island Beach
Driving: 2.12 km
Heading: 152°
Avg Speed: 24.49 km/hr
EST Time: 05:11
Bribie Island Beach to Bribie Island (Starting Point)
Driving: 1.86 km
Heading: 151°
Avg Speed: 15.65 km/hr
EST Time: 07:07
Bribie Island (Starting Point) to Woorim
Driving: 1.45 km
Heading: 156°
Avg Speed: 37.24 km/hr
EST Time: 02:20
Woorim to Sandstone Point
Driving: 9.68 km
Heading: 257°
Avg Speed: 46.43 km/hr
EST Time: 12:30
Distance is based on the travel mode shown (Driving, Straight, Cycling, Walking etc), Direction is straight line from start to end, Avg Speed & EST Time is calculated from GPS data.

What to See

Sand driving, windy, wavy beaches

Facilities

Where to Stay

Services & Supplies

No Services & Supplies available for this trek

Wildflowers

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