Bribie Island Day Trip Itinerary: Beaches, Bushwalks & Laid-Back Island Vibes

If you’re craving a coastal escape without the crowds or the chaos, Bribie Island is your easy-breezy answer. Just over an hour from Brisbane, this sleepy gem blends calm beaches with wild bushland, glassy waterways, and a pace so relaxed you’ll feel your shoulders drop the second you cross the bridge.

Bribie isn’t about flash, it’s about floating in warm, shallow water, spotting kangaroos on your walk, and finding the perfect shady picnic spot. It’s a bring-your-togs, no-makeup, sandy-feet kind of day and honestly, that’s the best kind.

Highlights

• Sunrise coffee at Bongaree Jetty

• Breakfast by the water at Sue’s Bar & Grill

• Doughnut stop at Kenilworth Island Bakery 

• Swimming at Woorim Beach or Pumicestone Passage

• Kayaking or paddle boarding around the marine park

• Bushwalks in Bribie Island National Park

• Birdwatching at Buckley’s Hole Conservation Park

• Fish & chips at the Esplanade

• Sunset from Red Beach or the jetty

  
  

Morning: Calm Waters, Coastal Cafés & a Sweet Treat

Start your day on the western side of the island in Bongaree, where the Pumicestone Passage is glassy and still. It’s perfect for a sunrise stroll or a quiet moment with a coffee by the jetty grab one from Serenity Cafe a friendly café with excellent brews and home made fresh pastries.

Then swing by Kenilworth Island Bakery for one of their famous over-the-top doughnuts. Whether it’s jam-filled, Nutella-dripped, or stacked with toppings that should require a warning label, it’s the kind of indulgence that makes a day trip feel like a holiday. (Insider tip: get in early, they often sell out.)

If you need something savoury to balance the sugar, grab breakfast nearby at Annie Lane Cafe, just a few steps from the sand.

Midday: Swim, Paddle or Hike—Your Pick

Now’s the time to dive into Bribie’s best outdoor bits. You’ve got options:

For beach lovers:

• Woorim Beach – On the eastern side, this is your surf beach with gentle waves and wide open sand. Good for a swim, a bodyboard, or just lying under your towel pretending to read.

• Red Beach – More secluded and dog-friendly. Less people, more peace.

For paddlers:

• Launch a kayak or SUP from the calm side near Banksia Beach or Bongaree Boat Ramp, and paddle along the Pumicestone Passage. The views back to the Glass House Mountains? Chef’s kiss.

For walkers:

• Bribie Island National Park – Choose a short bushwalk through the paperbark forests or venture a little further to see lagoons, wallabies, and native wildflowers.

• Buckley’s Hole Conservation Park – A birdwatcher’s dream and a lovely, peaceful walk around a freshwater lagoon.

Afternoon: Togs, Towels & Takeaway

After all that adventuring, it’s time for something salty and satisfying. Pick up classic fish and chips from Savige’s Seafood or Scoopys and head back to the water for a barefoot lunch on the grass or sand.

If you're still feeling energetic, cool off with another swim or try spotting dolphins from the jetty. Or just lie under a tree with an ice cream and call it your activity for the hour—we’re not judging.

Evening: Sunset & That End-of-Day Glow

Bribie serves up some serious sunset magic, especially from the western side of the island. Our picks:

• Bongaree Jetty – Great for photos and that golden hour glow.

• Red Beach – Quieter and west-facing, perfect for a private moment to wrap up the day.

• Sunset Park (yes, that’s its real name!) – Picnic tables, palms, and the best front-row seats to the sinking sun.

Dinner: Sunset & Dinner at Sandstone Point Hotel

As the day winds down, make your way to the mainland side of the bridge for a memorable dinner at the Sandstone Point Hotel. Nestled on the waterfront, this venue offers stunning views of the Pumicestone Passage and a menu that celebrates fresh, local produce.

The Main Bistro offers a diverse menu featuring dishes like the Sandstone Signature Calamari, oven-roasted lamb rack, and a variety of gourmet pizzas.

The Oyster Shed Beach Club offers a more relaxed vibe, dine at the Oyster Shed, offering seafood-inspired dishes, a cocktail bar, and lounge-style seating by the water.

Insider Tip: Weekends often feature live music on the grass from midday, adding to the vibrant atmosphere.

After dinner, take a leisurely stroll along the hotel's jetty, soaking in the serene evening ambiance before heading home.

A day on Bribie Island is a gentle reminder to slow down, unplug, and enjoy the kind of beauty that doesn’t need a filter. Whether you're kayaking through mangroves, watching pelicans at the jetty, or floating lazily in the shallows, this island knows how to deliver a good day—quietly, effortlessly, and with plenty of salt in the air.