Bribie Island Seaside Museum: Free Entry, Hours and What to See

Bribie Island Seaside Museum is a free, air-conditioned museum at 1 South Esplanade in Bongaree, a short walk from the jetty and overlooking Pumicestone Passage. It tells the story of Bribie Island through photographs, objects, films and interactive displays, and it is about 70 minutes by car from Brisbane.

It is not a big museum, which is why it works so well as a break from the beach. Most families need an hour or less, and it sits in the middle of the Bongaree foreshore, so it slots easily into a day on the island.

Bribie Island Seaside Museum opening hours and entry

The museum is open Wednesday to Friday from 10 am to 4 pm and Saturday and Sunday from 10 am to 3 pm. It is closed on Monday, Tuesday and every public holiday. Entry is free.

You do not need to book for a normal visit. On busy days, usually Sundays, the museum can fill to capacity, and you may need to wait a little while before you go in. Groups of 10 or more should book ahead so staff can plan the visit. You can call the museum on (07) 5433 2596 or email [email protected].

What to see inside

The museum is set out by theme, and staff usually suggest you start on the left as you walk in. Temporary exhibitions, which change every few months, are on the right. Permanent displays and areas include:

• Going Away and Bribie Island history: how people holidayed on the island in the past, with photos, objects in cases, large whale bones and a life-sized dugong hanging from the ceiling.
• The Koopa: a large ship model on the wall, screens and headphones where visitors talk about their holidays on Bribie, and a touchscreen of historic photographs.
• Theatre: a small room where you pick films about the Koopa and watch First Nations Elders tell their stories.
• Ian Fairweather: a section on the artist who lived on Bribie Island, with objects, photos and two large tree sculptures.
• Bunker: a small, dark space about the island in World War II, with relics in display cases, two dioramas and the sound of the ocean and a submarine.
• Collection of Things: a display of treasured objects from the museum’s collection, changed regularly.
• Imaginarium (kids area): a play space that changes regularly. It sometimes has books, card games or kinetic sand.

Staff at the front desk can hand out an “Eye Spy” search sheet, which gives younger children a list of objects and images to find as you go.

Is the museum accessible?

Yes. At the front there are stairs and a wheelchair-friendly ramp to an automatic sliding door. The museum is all on one level with a flat, wide floor. There are accessible toilets, a baby change facility and accessible parking near the main entrance. Council also has a virtual tour of the museum on its website if you want to see the layout first.

Food and drink are not allowed inside, but enclosed water bottles are fine. You can bring headphones, fidget toys or sunglasses if they help you feel comfortable.

Planning your visit

• How long: about an hour is enough for the displays, longer if you watch the films.
• Cost: free. The museum shop is listed on the council website.
• Busiest: Sundays, when the museum can fill to capacity.
• Touching: please do not touch the objects, many of which are very old.
• Before you go: check the council page for the current temporary exhibition and any public holiday closures.

Getting there and parking

From the Brisbane CBD it is about 70 minutes by car, crossing the Bribie Island Bridge from the mainland. A small car park is opposite the museum, and there is plenty of street parking nearby, plus accessible parking close to the entrance.

By public transport, plan your trip on the Translink website or call 13 12 30. The museum is within walking distance of the Bongaree jetty and foreshore, so you can combine it with a walk along the waterfront.

The City of Moreton Bay museum page has current hours and the virtual tour.

Nearby

• Bongaree, Bribie Island – the jetty, beach and foreshore park right next door.
• Sylvan Beach, Bellara – a calm passage beach with parks and a boardwalk a few minutes north.
• Woorim Beach – the island’s patrolled surf beach on the ocean side.
• Bribie Island Butterfly House – free-flying butterflies, another good wet-weather stop.
• More museums and everything on Bribie Island.

You might also like

• Caboolture Historical Village – more local history on the mainland side.
• RAAF Museum Amberley (Ipswich)
• Brisbane Tramway Museum (Ferny Grove)

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