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Bribie Island
A day to Explore Australia with Kids
Ester Holiday 2024
We had a four-day camping trip booked for the Easter holiday, and we’d been looking forward to it for ages.
But then it started raining—like, every single day—for two weeks straight. Even two days before we were supposed to go, it was still pouring.
This wasn’t just any camping trip, either. We’d booked it all the way back in December, and it was at this eco-camping spot we went to last year. It’s super remote, with no facilities around, so if it rains, there’s literally nothing to do.
And honestly, camping with kids in a tent while it’s raining? Yeah, no thanks. We figured we’d just cut our losses and not go.
Then, two days before the trip, at like 5 p.m., we got a call from the campsite. They said the rain had soaked the entire area—it wasn’t flooded, but it was a muddy mess. Even if the rain stopped the next day, the ground wouldn’t dry in time.
Here’s the nice part—they offered to let us reschedule for another date or gave us a six-month credit. Honestly, I wasn’t expecting anything since weather cancellations are usually a “too bad, so sad” situation. We were so relieved because we’d already decided not to go and just lose the money.
But, of course, as soon as the Easter holiday started, the weather was absolutely perfect. Like, sunny skies, cool breeze—total beach weather.
The first day, we just hung out at home and kept it chill. Then, on the second day, we woke up, and the weather was amazing. So, I turned to Eddie and was like, “Let’s go to the beach!”
We even called up Liam’s friend’s family and asked if they wanted to come along. And just like that, our spur-of-the-moment beach day was happening. 😊
Choosing the Destination
We ended up leaving later than planned, and since we were going for just the day, we looked for a destination within an hour’s drive.
Considering we were going with the kids, we also wanted to make sure it was a place they would enjoy.
On top of that, since we were planning to drive our 4WD to the beach, it had to be a beach that allowed 4WD access.
So, we decided to visit Bribie Island—a place we had never been before and one we’d always wanted to check out even before Liam was born. 😊
Let’s Go
We all decided to head to the beach together, so we quickly stopped by our local Woolworths to grab a few essentials. We picked up some sausages, bread, and watermelon for a simple beach picnic. Then we came back home to pack up the frying pan, burner, camping table, fishing chairs, and all the other gear we needed. We took our time and left around 11 a.m.
Before we headed out, we also took care of the permit for driving on the beach.
But the drive turned out to be much slower than expected…
When I checked the GPS that morning, it said the trip would take just over an hour. However, when we started driving, the GPS showed 1 hour 40 minutes—and at first, the estimated time kept going up. 😭
On weekends or public holidays, the Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast areas are the most congested between 10 a.m. and 12 p.m.
Ideally, you want to leave either early in the morning or a bit later to avoid the worst of the traffic. Thankfully, since we left at 11, the traffic eased up a little as we drove.
Yes, Australia has traffic, but thankfully it’s nothing compared to the crazy congestion in Korea! ^^
Arrival at Bribie Island
At the Bribie Island 4WD entrance, there was a parking lot available. Other families who didn’t have 4WD vehicles parked there, but we drove our 4WD onto the beach twice. It had been a while since we took our car to the beach, so it was such an exciting experience!
To drive on the beach, your vehicle needs to be a 4WD, and you also have to let some air out of the tires. Not all the air is removed—how much air you let out depends on the type of tires, the weight of the car, and how soft the sand is.
When driving over very soft sand, you’ll want to let out more air to prevent the car from getting stuck. Thankfully, Bribie Island isn’t made up of super soft sand, so it’s a great place for beginners to try driving on the beach.
You don’t need to let out too much air here, which makes it a great starting point for anyone new to 4WD beach driving. 😊
When adding or releasing air from the tires, we used a machine that shows the exact pressure on a gauge. This is really helpful because it tells you how much air has been let out or put in.
The portable one we had wasn’t very accurate, so we adjusted the air pressure using the gauge at the beach first. After that, we headed to a nearby gas station to properly fill the tires. (The great thing about Australia is that most gas stations have free air machines!)
If there’s a car wash nearby, we also take the time to wash off the salt from the beach. Salt can cause your car to rust very quickly, so it’s important to get rid of it as soon as possible. 🚗💧
Fun Times at the Beach
Not far from the Bribie Island 4WD entrance, we came across a beautiful spot that looked like a creek or small river.
We stopped here and brought the other family along too.
When driving on the beach in a 4WD, you’ll come across these little creek-like spots here and there. These are perfect places for the kids to play and have fun!
The water isn’t seawater; it’s fresh mountain water that flows down from the hills—super clean and refreshing. 😊
As soon as we arrived, Liam was absolutely thrilled!
This year, it had rained so much that we hadn’t been able to go to the beach or do much outdoor activity at all.
Liam grabbed a stick right away and started digging into the sand cliffs with it, having the time of his life.
Even though we brought some toys with us, he wasn’t interested in them at all. 😂
Finally, with the toys we brought, the kids each found their own way to have fun and play with their new little friends. 😊
The kids swam in the water, and the gentle current was perfect—if you just floated, you’d drift along, and it was absolutely amazing!
However, the water connects to the ocean, and with so many cars driving nearby, it did make me a bit nervous.
On the sand cliffs, people had created their own slides, turning them into a natural playground. The kids had a blast climbing to the top and sliding down over and over again. It truly felt like a natural adventure playground!
The other family was so happy when they arrived at the beach. It felt like a real holiday, a relaxing half-day getaway from the usual routine, and they absolutely loved the whole experience. 😊
We finally grilled the sausages we brought and made simple sausage sandwiches to enjoy.
There’s just something about cooking and eating by the sea—the food tastes absolutely amazing!
Look at Liam’s excited little face!
The waves in the Australian ocean can be really strong, so I had to hold his hand tightly to make sure he was safe. It did make me a bit nervous, but seeing him so happy and excited made it all worth it. 🫶🌊
Liam loves jumping over the waves—he’s totally hooked on the fun of leaping as the waves come!
He was so excited, yelling and running around like crazy. 😊
We stayed at the beach until about 4:30, then headed back to the car, refilled the tires with air, and hit the road. By the time we were leaving, it was already past 5 p.m.
On the way home, we grabbed some takeaway for dinner and had a simple meal. Everyone was so tired from the day that we all went to bed early. 💤
