Bribie Island, located off the coast of Queensland, about an hour drive north of Brisbane, boasts an incredibly diverse range of flora and fauna. Many of the animals are common to mainland Australia as well, and many more are aquatic. If you are a wildlife enthusiast, photographer, or simply just enjoy watching the animals, then Bribie Island is probably the place for you to be!
The Island contain or borders two important reserve areas. These are:
- The Bribie Island National Park. Covering nearly a third of the island, the National Park is the perfect place for walking or driving around and spotting native wildlife.
- The Pumicestone Passage Marine Park. This extends the entire length of the Pumicestone Passage (the narrow stretch of water separating Bribie Island from the mainland). It is home to many different marine species, and offers amazing snorkelling and fishing for marine enthusiasts.
With over 1568 different plant and animal species, Bribie Island has something to give everyone, no matter what you enjoy.
Birds:
Birds are abundant on Bribie Island, as it is an important stopping point for a number of migratory species. The best place for bird watching is at Buckley’s Hole, near the southern tip of the island.
Mammals:
The island contains all of the expected species of mammals, including kangaroos, wallabies, dingoes, and emus. They can be spotted throughout the island, especially around dawn or dusk.
Fish:
The waters around Bribie Island are a fisherman’s dream. With warm, shallow waters, sea grass meadows, and plenty of sand holes and reefs, you should be able to find all the fish you want.
Other Marine Life:
One of the most iconic inhabitants of Bribie Island’s waters is the dugong. They are gentle giants, often known as sea cows, and tend to eat non-stop. During one day, an adult dugong can eat upwards of 30kg of sea grass. There are an estimated 600-800 dugongs living around the island, which can be spotted from boats or from the shore.
Turtles are also abundant around the island, with a number of different species feeding in and travelling through surrounding waters. Keep your eyes open for dolphins, which enjoy chasing boats travelling through the area. Don’t forget to spend some time on the beach watching out for whales in the season, as you could be rewarded with a nice acrobatic show!