Bribie Island camping: Campground and beach permit costs guide

Bribie Island camping at the Ocean Beach or Poverty Creek camping area costs $28 per family, per night. However, if coming from Brisbane in your 4WD vehicle, you’ll also need to pay $53.65 for the Bribie Island Recreation Area vehicle access permit.

Where is Bribie Island?

Bribie Island is one of three large sand islands that form a protective barrier around Moreton Bay. It is smaller and further north than North Stradbroke Island and Moreton Island, stretching to the southern end of the Sunshine Coast.

The populated end of Bribie Island is roughly due east of Caboolture, at the northern end of the Brisbane/ Moreton Bay sprawl. But most of Bribie Island is not built up, and the vast majority of it is uninhabited national park. Relative ease of access – you can drive across the Bribie Bridge rather than wait for a ferry – makes a Bribie Island camping trip a popular getaway from Brisbane.

Getting to the Bribie Island camping areas

But it’s not quite as simple as just rocking up with a tent. For a start, you need a 4WD vehicle to get to the campgrounds in the Bribie Island National Park. Access is via unsealed roads, and a common-or-garden Ford estate is not going to cut the mustard.

The biggest campground on Bribie Island is the Poverty Creek camping area. This Bribie Island camping area has by far the best facilities. There are toilets, screened cold showers, water taps, picnic tables and fireplaces at the Poverty Creek camping area.

The Poverty Creek campground on Bribie Island, Queensland. Photo courtesy of Tourism and Events Queensland/Larissa Dening.

Other designated campgrounds on Bribie Island are Gallagher Point on the Pumicestone Passage and Ocean Beach. The Gallagher Point camping area, to the south of Poverty Creek, is extremely basic. There are not even toilet facilities.

Ocean Beach camping area on Bribie Island

Considerably more appealing is the Ocean Beach camping area, where a few sites gather behind the dunes. There are toilets, cold showers and water taps at Ocean Beach, although as with Poverty Creek the water is not suitable for drinking.

If you want to go on a Bribie Island camping trip, you’re going to have to pay for it, though. Not an excessive amount, granted, but it doesn’t come free, as you’ll need a Bribie Island permit.

6 supreme Brisbane day trips that will improve your holiday

Moreton Island day trip – with kayaking, sandboarding and snorkelling or with dolphin-feeding and desert dunes adventure.
Springbrook National Park glowworms and rainforest tour – including Tamborine Skywalk.
Eumundi Markets day trip – Australia’s best markets, plus the Sunshine Coast Hinterland and Noosa.
North Stradbroke Island day tour – with cruise, wildlife spotting and guided walk.
Tamborine Mountain winery tour – with gourmet lunch.
Maialia rainforest walking and wildlife tour – visit lesser-known D’Aguilar National Park.

Bribie Island camping permits

Camping permits can be bought at the Parks and Forests website. Bribie Island camping permits cost $7 per night per person, or $28 per family of up to six children – the same as for camping on Moreton Island, although Fraser Island permits are slightly pricier.

When you arrive at the Bribie Island camp site, you must display a tag with your booking number.

Bribie Island beach permits

However, there are also separate Bribie Island vehicle access permit fees that need paying. These Bribie Island beach permits allow you to drive in the Bribie Island Recreation Area, which you’ll need to do if you’re going to get to the campgrounds. The Bribie Island 4WD permits cost $53.65 per vehicle for a week or less, and $160.80 for a year’s access.

9 brilliant Brisbane experiences to book in advance

Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary tickets (or entry plus river cruise combo) – hold a koala and see lots of adorable native wildlife.
Brisbane River cruise – see the key sights and learn about the city on the way.
Story Bridge Adventure Climb – walk along the top of Brisbane’s famous bridge, with 360 degree views.
Combine the Southbank Parklands, City Botanic Gardens and Kangaroo Point Cliffs on a fun Segway tour.
Helicopter flight – see the city from a bird’s eye view.
Kayaking tour – choose the night tour to see the city light up, the day tour to enjoy the sunshine.
XXXX brewery tour – see how Australia’s most famous beer is made.
Guided wine flight tasting – get an Aussie wine introductory course.
See Brisbane’s spooky side on a city centre ghost tour.