Park guide

Beautiful coastal scenery, low-key bush camping, bird watching, spring wildflower displays, boating and fishing—all within an hours’ drive of Brisbane.

short distance east of Caboolture

and across Pumicestone Passage

lie the beaches, paperbark wetlands

and wildflower heaths of Bribie Island

Recreation Area. Low sand dune systems,

coastal lagoons, sandbars and tidal areas

feature in this shifting sand landscape.

The Bribie Island Recreation Area incorporates Bribie Island National Park and other Queensland Government lands, including the intertidal areas and beaches to the low water mark. The Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service (QPWS) is responsible for the day-to-day management of the recreation area.

Buckleys Hole Regional Park was declared in 1994 and is managed under trusteeship by the Moreton Bay Regional Council.

Extensive tidal wetlands and waters around Bribie Island are protected as part of Moreton Bay Marine Park. Fish, crabs and prawns breed in Pumicestone Passage and vulnerable dugong feed on its seagrass communities. Many shorebirds, including migratory shorebirds, feed and roost here.

Protected cultural heritage includes areas extensively used by traditional Indigenous Australians and weathered structures remaining from Queensland’s World War II coastal defence system.

Bribie Island’s rich natural diversity has drawn people to its shores for thousands of years. Indigenous people have used the plentiful seafood and coastal resources for many generations. Evidence of their traditional lifestyle is present in many places on Bribie Island.

Today, camping areas are located in areas traditionally used by Indigenous Australians for similar reasons—easy access, plentiful fishing, protected campsites and an uninterrupted view of the surrounding landscape.

The island also has commercial values for timber production and tourism.

View over Pumicestone Channel to Glass House Mountains.Photo courtesy of Tourism and Events Queensland.

Brahminy kitePhoto: Qld Govt.

Department of National Parks, Recreation, Sport and Racing

Great state. Great opportunity.

And a plan for the future.

A time long agoCulturally significant sites, including large shell middens, demonstrate continual use of this coastal area over thousands of years.

Living a traditional lifestyle, families journeyed throughout the land staying for varying periods of time on the northern sections of the island and the western coastline. They favoured the northern areas close to the water with access to a wide diversity of resources—marine, estuarine, wetland and freshwater. Cypress pine forests growing there provided good protection from the sun and wind.

As the seasons changed, family groups moved to where resources were available. During cyclones, people moved away from the coast. Families took different routes along the way to gather materials for their lifestyle.

Each person had their own distinctive call by which they were recognised. People called to one another through the bush. Carved message sticks carried by a messenger and smoke signals were used to send messages to distant families.

A meeting placePumicestone Passage’s rich seafood resources were shared with invited groups as they travelled to attend the Bonyee (bunya festival) in the mountain ranges. Local and neighbouring people hosted the festival every three years when the bunya nut crop peaked.

Visiting groups camped along the old coastal dunes from Sandstone Point south to Caboolture River. Extensive shell middens from these camps were collected and processed for use as brick mortar in Brisbane’s early buildings. A rich archaeological record of stone tools from distant regions has been found in the middens.

Wild food on the menuAs with quality restaurants today, the menu of the day consisted of foods that were seasonally available.

From extensive intertidal mudflats, people harvested a variety of molluscs including oysters, cockles, mud whelks, ribbed ceriths, hairy mussels and eugaries.

Fish, turtles and dugong were caught using nets and spears. Women made string from locally-found materials for weaving fishing nets. Men carved spears and boomerangs from hard timbers, which were then ‘fired’ to harden.

Canoes were made from stringybark, tallowwood and other tree bark. The bark was slowly prised from the tree when the sap was running to avoid cracking and splitting from lack of moisture. It was then smoked and treated, the sides were curled up and the ends sealed with clay to make it watertight. Vines were used to strengthen the canoe and cross pieces inserted to prevent shrinkage. Melaleuca saplings and vines were used to make rafts to travel short distances.

A wide variety of birds and their eggs were eaten. Small groups worked together to flush quail into the open where they knocked them down with small waddies. They hunted brush turkeys and raided their nests for eggs. Small hawk-like boomerangs were thrown to frighten ducks into nets placed across lagoons. A similar method was used to capture parrots and cockatoos.

Kangaroos, wallabies and other small marsupials were skilfully hunted into mesh nets about 1.2 metres high. Controlled fire was used to maintain open spaces, and the grass regrowth attracted marsupials for easier capture.

Flying foxes were knocked down while roosting during the day. Snakes and goannas were eaten and goanna fat was saved for skin decoration.

Bungwall fern Blechnum indicum, found in melaleuca wetlands, was the staple plant food. Large quantities of its root rhizomes were dug up by women and children and prepared by lightly roasting and pounding. It was eaten with meat or fish or on its own, somewhat like bread.

Many other plants were eaten, including roots from freshwater bulrush Typha spp, which were chewed raw until only the fibre remained; yams Dioscoria transversa, dug from up to one metre underground and roasted; and the hearts of cabbage palms, which were eaten raw. Honey was collected from the native beehives.

A changing landOn 16 July 1799, Captain Matthew Flinders landed on Bribie Island at the site now known as Skirmish Point. This was the first documented European landing in southern Queensland. South Point lies off the south-western corner of Buckleys Hole Conservation Park and is where a skirmish took place over a misunderstanding between Flinders and the Indigenous people. Despite this, Flinders’ party spent several days exploring Pumicestone Passage and made friendly contact with the Traditional Owners on several occasions.

Part of number one and two gun crew, 1942. Photo: Tommy Dorrett

The traditional Indigenous lifestyle changed forever with the arrival of pastoralists and timber-getters. From 1868, a large grazing lease run by the Lander and Turnbull families operated around what is now the Poverty Creek camping area, until the land became national park in 1988. Remnants of the

cattle property era include cleared areas, mango trees, water well, fencing and a cattle dip.

Queensland’s first Aboriginal Reserve was located on Bribie Island, near White Patch, in 1877. Elderly people and those who did some work were given sugar and one pint (about two cups) of flour each day. When fish were in short supply they were given more flour.

Later, many people were moved from their traditional land to reserves including Durundur, Monkey Bong Creek and Barambah (Cherbourg). Some stayed on Bribie Island, found occasional work and adapted to a new lifestyle.

Today, many Indigenous people maintain strong spiritual and cultural links with their traditional land. They work together with Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service to share their knowledge and culture to help protect this region.

Remnants from World War II During World War II, Fort Bribie was built near the island’s northern tip to secure the passage south into Moreton Bay. Large ships are limited to the main north-west shipping channel that runs close to shore near Bribie Island because the bay’s shallow waters are scattered with small islands, banks and sandbars. In 1942, the Skirmish six inch battery was established at the southern end of the island, near Woorim, to further increase defence capabilities.

Military sites on Bribie Island were part of a larger Brisbane defence system which included Cowan and Rous batteries on Moreton Island and Lytton Battery on the Brisbane River.

Weathered gun emplacements and searchlight buildings that are scattered along Bribie’s ocean beach foredunes are characteristic of the six-inch gun batteries used to defend Queensland’s coastline and Brisbane during World War II. They are listed on the Queensland Heritage Register and managed to conserve this cultural heritage.

Your mode of transport determines where you can travel because some areas are accessible only by boat and others only by four-wheel-drive. Away from town areas, you need to carry fresh water and be self-sufficient.

Four-wheel-drive accessVehicles travelling through the recreation area, including the ocean beach, must be fully road registered four-wheel-drives. Vehicles with low clearance or no low range transmission are not recommended. A vehicle access permit must be purchased and displayed on your vehicle’s windscreen before driving in the recreation area. Weekly and yearly permits are available.

Four-wheel-drive tracks and the beach may be closed occasionally due to weather conditions and for management purposes. Check current information at www.nprsr.qld.gov.au under ‘Park alerts’ or phone 13 QGOV (13 74 68).

Conventional vehicle accessBitumen roads provide access to the bicentennial bushwalks that begin near the Community Arts Centre on Sunderland Drive and the bird hide in Buckleys Hole Regional Park, near the end of The Boulevard at Bongaree. A vehicle access permit is not required for areas accessible by bitumen road.

Beach driving conditions can be unpredictable. Before taking your vehicle onto the beach, make sure you are familiar with sand driving techniques and have appropriate equipment. Check the tides and plan to travel as close as possible to low tide.

Engage four-wheel-driveLock freewheel hubs and use four-wheel-drive for driving on sand and other soft or slippery surfaces. Avoid sharp turns or sudden braking.

Speed limits and road rules applySlow down near camping areas and obey all speed limit signs:• 50km/hronbeach,exceptneartheOceanBeachcampingarea• 30km/hrforallotherrecreationarearoads,includinginland

tracks and beach adjacent to the Ocean Beach camping area.

Road rules apply and Queensland Police patrol this area: • Wearseatbeltsatalltimes.• Nevercarrypassengersoutsidethevehiclecabin.• Keeptotheleftofoncomingvehiclesatalltimes.• Useindicatorswhenovertakingorturning.

Watch the tides!On the ocean beach, travel as close to low tide as possible—this is when beach driving conditions are safest. Avoid driving on the beach two hours either side of high tide. The inland Poverty Creek and Northern access tracks are a good alternative route if you need to travel at high tide.

Slow down when passing people, on-coming vehicles and wildlifeOften the sound of the surf makes it difficult to hear approaching vehicles. Give people, shorebirds and other wildlife on the beach a wide berth.

Stay on formed tracksAll vehicles are prohibited on vegetated dune areas. When accessing beach camping sites, use designated access tracks to minimise damage to fragile plant communities and wildlife habitat.

Remove fallen trees or limbs rather than driving off the road to get around them to avoid damaging living plants.

Ensure your vehicle is mechanically sound Carry essential spare tyres, water, tyre gauge, air pump, recovery strap and a first-aid kit.

Load your vehicle evenly with heavy items stored low. Do not overload your vehicle.

Hazard areasBeach conditions change daily. Areas near the lagoons can be particularly hazardous. During heavy periods of rain the lagoons overflow, creating creeks across the beach—these creeks often cut deeply into the beach and can have steep banks. Slow down and be cautious when driving over the drop off into these creeks.

Off limits for safety and conservationTo protect Bribie Island’s fragile narrow spit, vehicles are not permitted beyond the World War II northern searchlight emplacement. On-the-spot fines apply.

For safety reasons, entry through the centre of the island to the Northern and Poverty Creek access tracks, and those leading to the Gallagher Point and Poverty Creek camping areas, is restricted. Public access through pine plantations is not permitted.

Carry fresh waterMake sure you carry enough water for your visit—fresh water is not available at any of the camping and day-use areas.

Avoid sunburn and mosquito-borne virusesProtect yourself from the sun with protective clothing, sunscreen, hatandsunglasses.Userepellenttoavoidmosquitoandsandfly bites.

Be dingo and

wild dog smart

Enjoy their beauty but keep your distance from dingoes—don’t encourage, excite or coax them. They are naturally lean, wild hunting dogs.

Never feed dingoes or wild dogs—make sure food supplies, rubbish, fish and bait are securely packed away in a vehicle or sealed in a rubbish bin so you do not inadvertently encourage dingoes and wild dogs to rely on human food. It is illegal to feed or offer food to dingoes. On-the-spot fines apply.

Don’t be misled into feeding them because they appear hungry. You will disrupt their natural hunting habits and encourage them to behave aggressively towards other island visitors.

Walk in groups and supervise children—there is greater safety in numbers. Some children have been bitten by animals wanting food or excited by the children’s movements. Whenever a dingo or wild dog is around, watch your children carefully— dingoes and wild dogs can move very fast!

Drivers should keep left unless overtaking. Be alert for people, wildlife and washouts on the beach, and drive to conditions. Photo: Qld Govt.

If you feel threatened by a dingo or wild dog:

DO stand up to your full height; fold your arms and keep eye contact; if possible stand back-to-back with another person; calmly back away; and confidently call for help.

DO NOT run or wave your arms.

Bul

cock

B

each

Cal

ound

ra

Sou

th

Pac

ific

Oce

an

Nor

th S

pit

Gol

den

Bea

ch

Lion

’s p

ark

Fo

rt B

rib

ie d

ay-u

se a

rea

Ligh

thou

se R

each

Roy

s

The

S

kids

Long

Is

land

Tho

oloo

ra

Isla

ndLi

me

Poc

ket

Mis

sion

Poi

ntW

elsb

y La

goon

Mer

mai

d La

goon

Nor

folk

Cre

ek

Fres

hwat

er C

reek

Oce

an B

each

ac

cess

trac

k

Woo

rimBrib

ie Bridge

Ski

rmis

h P

oint

Bon

gare

eS

ands

tone

Poi

nt

Gal

lagh

er P

oint

Nin

gi

Bic

ente

nnia

l bu

shw

alks

Bel

lara

Firs

t Ave

North St

Whi

te P

atch

Pov

erty

Cre

ek

acce

ss t

rack

No

rth

ern

ac

cess

tra

ck

Don

nybr

ook

Pov

erty

Cre

ek

Ban

ksia

B

each

Toor

bul

Buc

kley

s H

ole

Reg

iona

l Par

k

Oce

an B

each

cam

ping

are

a30

km/h

r sp

eed

limit

appl

ies

4WD

s no

t per

mitt

ed

nort

h of

nor

ther

n se

arch

light

To B

ruce

Hig

hway

To B

ruce

H

ighw

ay

Elimba

h Creek

Glass M

ount

ain

Cre

ek

Cab

ooltu

re B

ribie

Roa

d

Toor

bul R

oad

White P

atch

Espl

Sun

derla

nd Dr

Goodwin DrToorb

ul St

Wels

by Pde

Roy

s Ro

ad

Hus

sey

Cre

ek

Pumicestone

Pas

sage

Coochin

Cre

ek

Wes

taw

ays

Creek

Hal

ls Cr e e

k

Bel

ls Cre

ek

Lam

ero

ugh

Cre

ek

Nin

gi C

reek

Dux

Cre

ek

Bul

lock

Cre

ek

Bri

bie

Isla

nd

R

ecre

atio

n A

rea

Bri

bie

Isla

nd R

ecre

atio

n Ar

ea

24k

mS

cale

0

50km

/h s

pee

d li

mit

ap

plie

s to

bea

ch t

rave

l.

30km

/h s

pee

d li

mit

ap

plie

s n

ear

cam

pin

g a

reas

an

d o

n

inla

nd

ro

ads.

Bri

bie

Isla

nd

Rec

reat

ion

A

rea

bo

un

dar

y ex

ten

ds

to m

ean

low

wat

er m

ark.

* R

efer

to

th

e M

arin

e P

arks

(M

ore

ton

Bay

) Z

on

ing

Pla

n

2008

for

furt

her

info

rmat

ion

re

gar

din

g z

on

es a

nd

d

esig

nat

ed a

reas

.

Leg

end

Brib

ie Is

land

R

ecre

atio

n A

rea

Oce

an B

each

ca

mpi

ng a

rea

Buc

kley

s H

ole

Reg

iona

l Par

k

Mor

eton

Bay

*M

arin

e P

ark

Wat

er

Cre

ek

Sea

led

road

4WD

trac

k

Par

king

Toile

ts

She

ltere

d pi

cnic

Tabl

e

Pic

nic

tabl

e

Wal

king

trac

k

Ran

ger

stat

ion

4WD

trac

k—V

ehic

le

Acc

ess

Per

mit

(VA

P)

requ

ired

Cam

ping

Sho

wer

Coo

king

are

a

Litte

r de

pot

Was

te d

ump

Boa

t ram

p

Boa

t acc

ess

4WD

acc

ess

proh

ibite

d

Dom

estic

ani

mal

spr

ohib

ited

Cam

ping

pro

hibi

ted

Fire

s pr

ohib

ited

Fis

hing

pro

hibi

ted

Bea

ch is

tra

ffic

able

at

low

tid

e fo

r 4W

D

veh

icle

s o

nly

.

VA

Ps

req

uir

ed.

A variety of coastal camping experiences are provided in the Bribie Island Recreation Area, some accessible by four-wheel-drive, others accessible by boat. You will need a vehicle access permit to travel to four-wheel-drive-accessible camping areas.

To protect fragile areas, camping is only permitted in designated camping sites. Camping is not permitted on the beach foredunes, northern spit or on nearby islands within the marine park.

Four-wheel-drive camping areasThree camping areas are accessible by four-wheel-drive. Book your campsite and vehicle access permits before you arrive.

Gallagher Point camping areaA limited number of bush camping sites without facilities are provided. Bring your own portable toilet.

Poverty Creek camping areaSituated on land that was once a cattle property, this large camping area has open grassy sites and shady trees.

Ocean Beach camping areaAccess the beach from North Street, Woorim and drive 16 kilometres north to the designated camping area. Numbered campsites are located just behind the dunes with track entrances defined by a letter. Toilets and a portable toilet waste disposal facility are located at track entrance “P”.

Boat-accessible camping areasMission Point camping areaRelatively protected boat anchorage is available at this site. Note: During very high tides this camping area may be closed.

Lime Pocket bush camping sitesA couple of bush camping sites are provided here. Bring an enclosed portable toilet system. Note: During very high tides this camping area may be closed.

To help QPWS manage sustainable recreational use of the island, please note:

• Generatorsarenotpermittedanywhereintherecreationarea.

• Domesticanimalsareprohibitedintherecreationarea—leaveallpets at home.

• Allrubbishmustberemovedfromtherecreationareaforappropriate disposal.

• Toiletsareprovidedforyourconvenience—pleaseusethemorbring your own portable toilet.

• Waterisnotavailableintherecreationarea—alwayscarrysufficient drinking water for your group.

• Firewoodisnotprovided.Packcleanmilledfirewoodorafuelstove for cooking. During fire bans, self contained fuel stoves are essential.

• FiresareonlypermittedinfireringsprovidedbyQPWS. Fires are prohibited in all other areas.

• Foragingflyingfoxesmaybeencounteredatcertainsitesandtimes of the year—pack extra tarpaulins to protect tents and vehicles from droppings.

FiresFires are permitted for cooking in fire rings and fireplaces at:

• MissionPoint

• PovertyCreek

• Gallagher’scampingarea

• LimePocketcampingarea

• LighthouseReachday-usearea

• OceanBeach.

Fires are prohibited in all other areas, including the beach. Usefuelstovesintheseareas.

Remember to bring your own clean, milled firewood as it is illegal to collect firewood on the island.

Picnic facilitiesPicnic facilities are provided at Poverty Creek, Forts day-use area and Lighthouse Reach.

PermitsCamping and vehicle permitsYou must purchase camping permits before camping in the Bribie Island Recreation Area. Book well in advance for school holidays and long weekends.

A camping tag with your booking number must be displayed at your campsite. Print camping tags online at time of booking or collect at park entrance shelters. On-the-spot fines apply for camping without a permit.

All campsites must be vacated by 11am on your departure day.

Vehicles must be registered and have a valid Bribie Island Recreation Area vehicle access permit. Weekly and yearly permits are available.

To obtain a permit: • bookonlineatwww.qld.gov.au/camping• phone13QGOV(137468).

Ocean beaching camping areaPhoto: Qld Govt.

Portable toilet wasteChemical or treated waste from portable toilets must be disposed of into a ‘Dump-ezy’ facility or removed from the park. It is an offence under the Recreation Areas Management Act 2006 to bury a noxious substance or toilet waste near watercourses, such as creeks and lagoons. On-the-spot fines apply.

Do not pour your portable toilet waste into any QPWS toilets as it destroys the bacteria used in our composting systems. Bag all personal hygiene products, including disposable nappies, for disposal outside of the park.

A ‘Dump-ezy’ facility is located by the toilets accessible from access “P” at Ocean Beach camping area and Poverty Creek camping area.

Boat accessBoats can be launched on the island at Bongaree and Bellara, and on the mainland at Sandstone Point, Toorbul, Donnybrook, Coochin Creek, Bells Creek and Golden Beach boat ramps.

Boat-accessible picnic facilities are provided at Poverty Creek, Mission Point, Lighthouse Reach and Lions Park. Relatively protected boat anchorage is available near Mission Point camping area.

Moreton Bay Marine ParkPumicestone Passage, between Bribie Island and the mainland, is part of the Moreton Bay Marine Park. It is managed primarily as a conservation park (yellow) zone to maintain a balance between recreation and protecting natural and cultural values. Two marine national park (green) zones are located at Tripcony Bight–Long Island and Westaways Creek to protect these high conservation areas. Refer to the Moreton Bay Marine Park user guide for boundaries and restrictions relating to zones and designated areas. For a copy visit www.nprsr.qld.gov.au/moretonbay

Look, but don’t take zonesFishing, crabbing, bait collecting and other forms of taking are prohibited in the Tripcony Bight–Long Island and Westaways Creek marine national park (green) zones. Important habitats including mudflats, seagrass beds, mangroves, saltmarsh and claypan communities are protected here.

Go slow and look out for marine life belowBoat strike, entanglement and swallowed rubbish can kill and injure turtles, dugong and other marine animals.

The seagrass communities of Pumicestone Passage provide essential dugong food.

Human activities, such as pollution from land-based sources and boating traffic, can have a detrimental impact on seagrass communities. Minimise your impact—when boating over seagrass beds take it easy and go slow for those below.

Go slow areas for natural values have been declared over Tripcony Bight–Long Island and Westaways Creek marine national park (green) zones. In these go slow areas vessels must travel off-the-plane. Motorised water sports are also prohibited. Penalties apply.

Fishing Pumicestone PassagePumicestone Passage’s extensive tidal wetlands are essential breeding areas for many fish, crab and prawn species.

Help ensure this popular fishing place is available for generations to come. Catch only what you need and return undersize or breeding animals to the water. Dispose of fishing rubbish appropriately.

On the foredunes you’ll find communities of coastal she-oaks Casuarina equisetifolia var. incana, acacias, banksias Banksia integrifolia and beach spinifex Spinifex sericeus. These communities stabilise the dune system by trapping sand and reducing erosion.

BirdwatchingBetween10,000and15,000migratoryshorebirdsvisitthisareain the summer months. Wetland resources are essential for their survival. They rest and refuel, feeding on yabbies, worms, pipis and other small animals that are sensitive to changes in water quality. They leave around April, flying tens of thousands of kilometres to breeding areas in Alaska, China and Siberia.

In addition, the Caloundra Sandbanks area, just to the north, hostsupto40,000ternsduringtheirnorthernmigration in autumn.

Birds of prey are often seen along the coastline and include sea eagles, brahminy kites and whistling kites. The ‘flap-flap-flap-glide’ motion is typical of the osprey as it soars effortlessly in the sky.

Birdwatchers will enjoy the bird hide at Buckleys Hole ConservationPark.Morethan190differentbirdspecies have been recorded here.

When shorebirds are disturbed they waste hard-earned energy reserves, which may reduce their ability to successfully breed and survive. Give them a wide berth to avoid disturbance. Photo: Qld Govt.

Terrestrial and marine plants and animals depend on us to keep land, ocean and estuarine areas clean.

• Neverburnorburyrubbish—takeyourrubbishwithyou for proper disposal.

• Shampoo,soap,detergentandsunscreencanpolluteour waterways—do not wash in waterways and wear sun-protective clothing when swimming.

• Usetoiletfacilitiesprovidedorbringaportabletoilet.

• Portabletoiletwasteshouldonlybeemptiedinspecified ‘Dump-ezy’ facilities. Do not empty toilet waste into QPWS toilets.

• Camponlyindesignatedcampingareasandcampsites.

• Bringagasstove.Onlyuseexistingfireplacesprovidedwhere open fires are permitted. Extinguish campfires with water when unattended.

• Goslowoverseagrassbeds—dugongsandturtles feed there.

• Stayontrackandoffthedunes.Foreduneareasareimportant habitat for wildlife, including shorebirds that lay their eggs on the sand and marine turtles that bury eggs in the sand.

• Obeysignsandregulations—theyareinplacetoprotectthis area for conservation and nature-based recreation.

• Leavedomesticanimalsathome.Theyareprohibited.

©State of Queensland 2015.Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service, Department of National Parks, Recreation, Sport and Racing. BP1512 January 2015

Bicentennial bushwalks3.8km, allow one hour

The Banksia, Palm Grove and Melaleuca Bicentennial bushwalks begin near the Community Arts Centre on Sunderland Drive. Walk through eucalypt forests, paperbark wetlands and wallum heathlands. Rainbow bee-eaters, red-backed wrens and eastern yellow robins are some of the colourful birds you may encounter.

Fort BribieNear the northern tip of Bribie Island, see heritage-listed remains of gun emplacements and searchlight buildings. Wayside signs provide information about the forts and the men and women who served here during World War II.

Shifting sand has left the structures exposed on the beach. Harsh weathering conditions have reduced the stability of these structures. When visiting these sites, obey any signs and view the structures from a distance. Do not climb over structures.

Visit www.nprsr.qld.gov.au/parksPhone 13 QGOV (13 74 68)

ContactsEmergencies:000(ortry112frommobilesifnoreception).

Marine strandings:1300ANIMAL(1300264625)

Marine park zoning mapsMoreton Bay Marine Park surrounds Bribie Island. For details on zones and designated areas and activities you can do there, download a Moreton Bay Marine Park user guide from www.nprsr.qld.gov.au/parks.

Thanks to: Dr Eve Fesl, Gubbi Gubbi elder, for sharing knowledge and assisting with Indigenous Australian text preparation; and Melinda Serico, Gubbi Gubbi descendant, for preparing Indigenous artwork.

Front cover photo: Northern spit of Bribie Island. Accessible only by boat or on foot. Photo courtesy of Tourism and Events Queensland.

Part of Fort Bribie, this weathered gun emplacement was built to defend Brisbane from enemy attack. Photo: Qld Govt.

Access to Buckleys Hole Regional Park is via stairs near the western end of The Boulevard, Bongaree. The park protects 87.7 hectares of coastal forest and wetlands on the south-western extremity of Bribie Island. It is of national and international significance for shorebirds, providing a staging area for migratory species and important roosting and feeding sites. The park also forms part of the Moreton Bay Ramsar area.

Dedicated in 1994, it is managed under the Nature Conservation Act 1992. The Moreton Bay Regional Council are trustees responsible for its day-to-day management.

Renowned for its diverse bird life, the park boasts sightings of 23 migratory bird species listed under various international treaties. Migratory species include the Mongolian plover Charadrius mongolus, white winged tern Sterna leucoptera, bar-tailed godwit Limosa limosa, whimbrel Numenius phaeopus and greenshank Tringa nebularia.

A large number of resident and vagrant bird species are also known to use the park. These include the near-threatened black-necked stork Ephippiorhynchus asiaticus, eastern curlew Numenius madagascariensis, grey goshawk Accipiter novaehollandiae and the vulnerable beach stone-curlew Esacus magnirostris.

Shorebirds in and around the park are subject to disturbance from activities such as fishing and dog walking on sandbanks in the intertidal zone. Please ensure your activities do not disturb shorebirds.

Eastern curlew Numenius madagascariensisPhoto: Qld Govt.