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Just because Bribie Island is the smallest sand island along Moreton Bay, Queensland, doesn’t mean it has little to offer. This beautiful area offers wetlands, woodlands, creeks, lagoons, and so much nature to explore.
Plan an incredible camping trip to Bribie Island and enjoy this coastal area of Australia by exploring these campgrounds and learning all the essentials to pack.
Bribie Island: Where to Camp
Bribie Island’s coastal scenery and low-key camping making a popular spot for peaceful getaways. Birdwatchers, anglers, and boaters flock to this island just 90 km north of Brisbane and about 145km east of Booloumba Creek for fun holiday escapes without all the fuss.
Check out these campgrounds that you can access by 4WD vehicle or boat.
Access by 4WD
- Gallagher Point: Here, you can find bush camping sites, perfect for self-sufficient van life dwellers or those with bathrooms and other facilities built into their caravan. The park authority aims to keep this land as pristine as possible, including by reducing bush toileting, so be sure to bring your own self-contained portable toilet if you head this way. If you want water views, this is the place to go, as the camping area overlooks the stunning Pumicestone Passage.
- Poverty Creek: If you’re going camping with a larger group, head to Poverty Creek for large, grassy sites, plenty of shade, and areas designed for larger caravans and group camping. You don’t have to bring all your facilities with you, either. The campground provides toilets, waste disposal sites, cold showers, picnic tables, fireplaces, and water taps (not for drinking). You’ll still need to pack your own drinking water supply and any cooking equipment, but it’s nice to know the basics are taken care of. Just be careful to light a fire only in the permitted fire rings.
- Ocean Beach: Want beach access nearby? Ocean Beach is aptly named, as it’s just behind the dunes. This camping area is 16km north of the beach access point. You’ll enjoy toilets, screened cold showers, and water taps (again, don’t drink it!) in the camping area near Track P. You can also enjoy a warm fire at night here, although it must be contained to the fire rings in the camping and group trailer areas.
Access by Boat
Those who prefer to travel by water can also arrive at a few different camping areas by boat.
- Mission Point: Find true seclusion and escape the crowds at a gorgeous, largely untouched campsite with views of Pumicestone Passage and Glass House Mountains. It’s a great spot to fish—you may even catch a bream, flathead, whiting, or mangrove jack in the passage. It’s also ideal for kayaking, canoeing, or simply strolling along the coast to catch migratory shorebirds or birds of prey.
- Lime Pocket: By far the best option if fishing is your main draw, Lime Pocket offers excellent fishing prospects here on the shores of Pumicestone Passage. It’s located on the island’s western side, allowing you to look out toward the mainland and enjoy the sounds of nature and water lapping the shore.
What To Pack for a Bribie Island Camping Trip
- Drinking Water: There’s no drinking water supply in most places on Bribie Island, so ensure you bring a supply large enough for your entire party and the full length of your stay.
- Tire Aids: 4WD is required to reach most campgrounds because the road trip takes you through portions of the island’s sandy shores. Bring aids to help if you get bogged down in the sand, such as shovels, chains, large traction boards, or a ratchet strap.
- Firewood: You cannot collect wood for your fires from within the park, so if a campfire is on your camping itinerary, you must bring your own wood from off the island.
- Vehicle Access Permit: The park requires a vehicle access permit before driving in the national park and recreation area. You can apply online, via phone, or by visiting an over-the-counter booking office.
- Portable Toilet: Some sites do not provide toilet facilities, and bush toileting is not recommended. Pack a self-contained portable toilet, disposal containers, toilet paper, and other personal hygiene products. Many areas provide waste disposal sites, so locate them upon your arrival.
- (Short Trip) Portable Power Station: For a short trip, bring a portable power station like the EcoFlow RIVER 2 Pro, which provides a 768Wh capacity and 1600W output with X-Boost.
- (Extended Trip) Solar Generator: For longer trips, you may need something that can handle your electricity demands more than a portable power station. EcoFlow Solar Generators, such as the EcoFlow RIVER 2 Max + 160W Solar Panel or EcoFlow RIVER 2 Pro Solar Generator (PV220W), are great alternatives to traditional generators that run on fuel, which are not permitted anywhere in the national park or recreation area.
- Fuel Stove: Fires are not allowed on the beach, but you can make a cooking fire in the provided fire rings at Ocean Beach, Gallagher Point, Poverty Creek, and Lime Pocket. For cooking in other areas of the campgrounds, you may want a fuel stove for food, coffee, etc.
- Light Layers: Unlike some of Australia’s more southern areas, like Melbourne or Adelaide, the eastern coast enjoys a more subtropical climate with hot summers and mild winters. So don’t pack too many bulky, warm layers. Keep your clothes light so you can enjoy the warmer weather anytime.
Frequently Asked Questions
There are no areas you can camp for free on Bribie Island. You must make a camping reservation with a campground of your choosing through the Queensland National Parks Booking Service and pay for the required camping permit and fees.
Camping fees vary depending on the campground, type of campsite, and facilities provided. A basic campsite costs around AUD 7 per person per night, while a family campsite costs around AUD 27. The Queensland National Parks website provides more details about camping reservations and fees.
While there are a few accessible camping areas that do not require 4WD, most of the remote and beachside spots require 4WD to access safely because the journey requires some beach driving through soft sand. Gallagher Point and Poverty Creek have some areas that may be easier to reach without a 4WD vehicle.
You can only start fires within the designated fire rings at specific campgrounds. Note that it is illegal to start a fire anywhere on the beaches of Bribie Island, and some areas do not allow fires at all. You also can’t collect wood from the island for your fire, so you must bring milled firewood with you.
Final Thoughts
Bribie Island is a fun escape from the mainland. Here, you can explore stunning natural camping parks accessible either by 4WD or boat, enjoy some of the best fishing in the area, and enjoy a quiet, peaceful holiday away from the hustle and bustle and crowds.
Remember to pack the essentials—a portable toilet, drinking water, and a reliable power source like the EcoFlow RIVER 2 Pro Portable Power Station—and you’ll love your experience on Bribie Island.