Bribie Island

Bribie Island, 34 kilometres long and 8 kilometres at its widest, is the smallest and most northerly of three major sand islands forming the coastline sheltering the northern part of Moreton Bay, Queensland. The others are Moreton Island and North Stradbroke Island. Bribie island, hugging the coastline and tapering to a long spit at its most northern point near Caloundra, is separated from the mainland by the Pumicestone Passage. A bridge from Sandstone Point on the mainland was completed in 1963. The ocean side of the island is somewhat sheltered from prevailing winds by Moreton Island and associated sand banks and has only a small surf break. The lee side is calm, with white sandy beaches in the south.Most of the island is uninhabited national park (55.8 square kilometres) and forestry plantations. The southern end of the island has been intensively urbanised as part of the Moreton Bay Region, the main suburbs being Bongaree, Woorim, Bellara and Banksia Beach. Buckley's Hole, at the southern tip of the island, is an important bird habitat and refuge.GeographySuburbsCrossing to the island from the mainland via the bridge, the first suburb to be encountered is Bellara. The other three major suburbs are Woorim (about 5 km away on the island's 'surf side'), Bongaree at the southern end of the island, on the 'calm side' or 'passage side' and Banksia Beach and White Patch at the northern end of the populated area, also on the 'passage side'. Another suburb, Welsby, exists on maps; however there is currently no development in this area.