Growing up in suburbia, I always dreamed about a life by the beach. My love for the ocean turned into a life-long obsession leading me to Bribie, where I quickly learned that this isn’t just an island, it is somewhere truly special.
Here are my top 5 reasons to love Bribie Island.
The location is surprisingly convenient and a perfect escape from crazy weather
20 minutes off the highway, 30 minutes to major shopping complexes, 50 minutes to the airport and an hour to the city. I have never found an island so close to the mainland, where you simply drive across the bridge to get here.
I remember the first time I made the trip up to visit a friend. It was the middle of winter and miserably cold in the city, so she suggested we meet at Woorim Beach (ocean side of the island), and I’m so glad she did - it was spectacular. We grabbed a coffee from the local cafe, sat on the beach in the glorious sunshine, dug our toes into the warm sand, chatted about the joys of island life - all whilst looking out at our picture-perfect views of Moreton Island as dolphins joyfully played in the waves in front of us. That day I realised two things: I went from miserable to blissfully happy in under an hours’ drive; and that I didn’t want to leave - ever.
The wildlife is spectacular: Kangaroos, emus, dolphins and even seals!
We are absolutely blessed with an abundance of wildlife. Including some that have built up an insta-worthy reputation for themselves. From #EricTheEmu who once frequented the streets of Banksia Beach to Neil the Seal who (like me) can also be found lazing on the shores of Woorim Beach during the middle of winter.
To get up close and personal with our wildlife I suggest:
4WD the national park - you will be treated to Kangaroos, Lace Monitors (or as my husband calls them - BBQ bandits), Kookaburras and Bush Turkeys.
Visit the Butterfly House in Bongaree - get completely immersed in plants and butterflies including the spectacular blue ulysses (Tip: go in the morning when they are most active).
Boat over to Tangalooma Beach on Moreton Island - where you can hand feed the dolphins at sunset
There is only one set of traffic lights!
I know this sounds trivial, but after working in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane, one thing I absolutely loathe is traffic. I hate the stop-start, the slow crawl, the frustration of not being able to get somewhere. Well, all that is gone. You may have to navigate a few round-a-bouts, but when it comes to traffic lights, Bribie only has the one – a crossing to access a small local shopping strip.
How can this be possible? Well, unlike many other major tourist attractions, Bribie has found the right population balance, and you notice it immediately. You can always find a park at your favourite beach, outside your favourite cafes, at the local supermarkets, and you never have to wait too long for anything.
No rush, no grumpiness. The locals are genuinely happy and why wouldn’t you be when you live in paradise.
Live music and holiday vibes
There is nothing better than grabbing a picnic blanket and spending the day on the hill overlooking Bribie Island whilst listening to your favourite bands at the Sandstone Point Hotel. Voted best hotel venue in Queensland, able to seat up to 20,000 people for major concerts and hosting bands like Grinspoon, Dune Rats, Illy, Hudoo Gurus, Jimmy Barnes and so many more. But SPH isn’t just for the musos - they have a petting zoo and playground for the little-uns; soccer nets and trampoline for the bigger kids; a restaurant, cafe, bar, pool tables and nightclub for us grown-ups 😉. Add in their modern accommodation and water park and you’ll be tempted to stay here forever!
Watch the sun set over the water and the Glass House Mountains
This is hands down, my most favourite thing to do in the world. Grab a picnic chair, a bottle of wine and some friends, then head down to Banksia Beach to watch the sunset over the water of the Pumicestone Passage and the Glass House Mountains. You will find people walking their dogs, fishing, swimming, kayaking, paddle boarding, bird watching, having a BBQ, playing in the parks - all while the sky slowly turns from blue to pink as the sun slips behind the mountains. In fact, you can keep all the other reasons, this is the only thing I need. #happiness
These were my Top 5 reasons to love Bribie Island - why do you love Bribie? Is there a hidden gem I need to discover? Please let me know by adding them to the comments below or follow my adventures on Facebook.
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