Bribie Island National Park

National Park · Australia

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Photo © Kerry Raymond

Photo © Kerry Raymond — CC BY 4.0 — Source: Wikimedia Commons

Across tidal flats and shallow waterways north of Brisbane, Bribie Island National Park spreads across nearly four hundred square kilometres of subtropical coastal wilderness—a patchwork of saltmarsh, mangrove creeks, sandy heathland, and open water that shifts with the rhythm of Australia's east coast tides. The island itself, a narrow sandbank separated from the mainland by the Northern Bay, hosts eucalypt woodlands on higher ground that give way to salt-tolerant scrub and pioneer vegetation closer to the shore. This mosaic of habitats supports a disproportionately rich fauna: waders and gulls skim the shallows during tidal cycles; small predatory birds haunt the margins between mangrove and open water; woodland songbirds move through the drier interior; and nocturnal mammals shelter in the thicker scrub away from human activity. The park's position on the East Asian-Australasian Flyway makes it an indispensable staging ground for migratory shorebirds, particularly during austral spring and autumn, when thousands of individuals pause to refuel during their intercontinental journeys.

For wildlife photographers and birdwatchers, Bribie Island demands a flexible approach and intimate knowledge of tide and season. The shallows reward early-morning visits when light rakes across water and roosting waders gather before dispersing to feed; approaching birds requires patience, fieldcraft, and often a telephoto lens capable of working at distance across open habitat. Spring migration (August to October) and autumn passage (February to April) concentrate birds spectacularly, though resident species—particularly the small raptors and estuarine predators that hunt the transition zones—remain rewarding year-round. The relatively modest elevation and sandy substrate mean that mid-summer heat can be intense, while winter brings cooler, clearer conditions ideal for sustained observation. Access via the island's main road and designated walking tracks allows visitors to move between habitat types without the logistical demands of more remote parks, making Bribie Island accessible to serious naturalists and improving photographers alike.

Website npsr.qld.gov.au/parks/bribie-island

Sulphur-crested Cockatoo

Cacatua galerita

Australian King Parrot

Alisterus scapularis

Wedge-tailed Eagle

Superb Fairywren

Malurus cyaneus

Australian Brushturkey

Alectura lathami

Grey Shrikethrush

Colluricincla harmonica

Australian White Ibis

Threskiornis molucca

Haliastur sphenurus

White-cheeked Honeyeater

Phylidonyris niger

Australian Pipit

Anthus australis

White-faced Heron

Egretta novaehollandiae

Australian Pelican

Pelecanus conspicillatus

Australasian Gannet

Beach Stone-curlew

Esacus magnirostris

Coconut Lorikeet

Trichoglossus haematodus

Manorina melanocephala

Australian Magpie

Gymnorhina tibicen

Grallina cyanoleuca

Rhipidura leucophrys

Chroicocephalus novaehollandiae

Blue-faced Honeyeater

Entomyzon cyanotis

Ocyphaps lophotes

Pacific Black Duck

Anas superciliosa

Welcome Swallow

Hirundo neoxena

Pied Oystercatcher

Haematopus longirostris

Eastern Yellow Robin

Eopsaltria australis

Himantopus leucocephalus

Greater Crested Tern

Thalasseus bergii

Lewin's Honeyeater

Meliphaga lewinii

Dromaius novaehollandiae

Anseranas semipalmata

Plumed Whistling Duck

Dendrocygna eytoni

Wandering Whistling Duck

Dendrocygna arcuata

Radjah Shelduck

Pink-eared Duck

Malacorhynchus membranaceus

Chenonetta jubata

Australasian Shoveler

Spatula rhynchotis

Aythya australis

Helmeted Guineafowl

Numida meleagris

Synoicus ypsilophorus

White-throated Nightjar

Eurostopodus mystacalis

Tawny Frogmouth

Podargus strigoides

Australian Owlet-nightjar

Aegotheles cristatus

White-throated Needletail

Hirundapus caudacutus

Pheasant Coucal

Centropus phasianinus

Eudynamys orientalis

Channel-billed Cuckoo

Scythrops novaehollandiae

Shining Bronze Cuckoo

Chalcites lucidus

Fan-tailed Cuckoo

Cacomantis flabelliformis

Sahul Brush Cuckoo

Cacomantis variolosus

Oriental Cuckoo

Cuculus optatus

Spilopelia chinensis

Brown Cuckoo-Dove

Macropygia phasianella

Pacific Emerald Dove

Chalcophaps longirostris

Common Bronzewing

Phaps chalcoptera

Geopelia placida

Bar-shouldered Dove

Geopelia humeralis

Wompoo Fruit Dove

Megaloprepia magnifica

Rose-crowned Fruit Dove

Ptilinopus regina

Lopholaimus antarcticus

Buff-banded Rail

Gallirallus philippensis

Gallinula tenebrosa

Australasian Swamphen

Porphyrio melanotus

White-browed Crake

Poliolimnas cinereus

Australasian Grebe

Tachybaptus novaehollandiae

Painted Buttonquail

Bush Stone-curlew

Burhinus grallarius

Sooty Oystercatcher

Haematopus fuliginosus

Pacific Golden Plover

Pluvialis fulva

Black-fronted Dotterel

Thinornis melanops

Oriental Plover

Anarhynchus veredus

Siberian Sand Plover

Anarhynchus mongolus

Double-banded Plover

Anarhynchus bicinctus

Comb-crested Jacana

Irediparra gallinacea

Eurasian Whimbrel

Numenius phaeopus

Far Eastern Curlew

Numenius madagascariensis

Bar-tailed Godwit

Limosa lapponica

Gallinago hardwickii

Grey-tailed Tattler

Tringa brevipes

Ruddy Turnstone

Arenaria interpres

Calidris tenuirostris

Calidris canutus

Red-necked Stint

Calidris ruficollis

Onychoprion fuscatus

Sternula albifrons

Australian Tern

Gelochelidon macrotarsa

Hydroprogne caspia

White-fronted Tern

Lesser Crested Tern

Thalasseus bengalensis

Larus pacificus

Short-tailed Shearwater

Ardenna tenuirostris

Hutton's Shearwater

Puffinus huttoni

Lesser Frigatebird

Sula leucogaster

Australasian Darter

Anhinga novaehollandiae

Little Pied Cormorant

Microcarbo melanoleucos

Australian Pied Cormorant

Phalacrocorax varius

Little Black Cormorant

Phalacrocorax sulcirostris

Great Cormorant

Phalacrocorax carbo

Straw-necked Ibis

Threskiornis spinicollis

Plegadis falcinellus

Royal Spoonbill

Yellow-billed Spoonbill

Platalea flavipes

Australasian Bittern

Botaurus poiciloptilus

Nankeen Night Heron

Nycticorax caledonicus

Pacific Reef Heron

Egretta garzetta

Butorides atricapilla

White-necked Heron

Ardea plumifera

Eastern Cattle Egret

Ardea coromanda

Pandion haliaetus

Black-shouldered Kite

Elanus axillaris

Aviceda subcristata

Square-tailed Kite

Lophoictinia isura

Tachyspiza fasciata

Circus approximans

Haliastur indus

Australian Masked Owl

Tyto novaehollandiae

Eastern Barn Owl

Australian Boobook

Oriental Dollarbird

Eurystomus orientalis

Laughing Kookaburra

Dacelo novaeguineae

Forest Kingfisher

Todiramphus macleayii

Torresian Kingfisher

Todiramphus sordidus

Sacred Kingfisher

Todiramphus sanctus

Azure Kingfisher

Rainbow Bee-eater

Nankeen Kestrel

Falco cenchroides

Yellow-tailed Black Cockatoo

Glossy Black Cockatoo

Calyptorhynchus lathami

Eolophus roseicapilla

Cacatua sanguinea

Long-billed Corella

Cacatua tenuirostris

Pale-headed Rosella

Platycercus adscitus

Scaly-breasted Lorikeet

Trichoglossus chlorolepidotus

Rainbow Lorikeet

Trichoglossus moluccanus

Pitta versicolor

White-throated Treecreeper

Cormobates leucophaea

Variegated Fairywren

Malurus lamberti

Red-backed Fairywren

Malurus melanocephalus

Scarlet Myzomela

Myzomela sanguinolenta

Little Friarbird

Philemon citreogularis

Noisy Friarbird

Philemon corniculatus

Striped Honeyeater

Plectorhyncha lanceolata

White-throated Honeyeater

Melithreptus albogularis

Mangrove Honeyeater

Gavicalis fasciogularis

Yellow-faced Honeyeater

Caligavis chrysops

Little Wattlebird

Anthochaera chrysoptera

Striated Pardalote

Pardalotus striatus

White-browed Scrubwren

Sericornis frontalis

Large-billed Scrubwren

Sericornis magnirostra

Brown Thornbill

Acanthiza pusilla

Gerygone palpebrosa

White-throated Gerygone

Gerygone olivacea

Mangrove Gerygone

Gerygone levigaster

Eastern Whipbird

Psophodes olivaceus

White-breasted Woodswallow

Artamus leucorynchus

White-browed Woodswallow

Artamus superciliosus

Grey Butcherbird

Cracticus torquatus

Pied Butcherbird

Cracticus nigrogularis

Strepera graculina

Black-faced Cuckooshrike

Coracina novaehollandiae

White-winged Triller

Lalage tricolor

Lalage leucomela

Eastern Shriketit

Falcunculus frontatus

Australian Golden Whistler

Pachycephala pectoralis

Rufous Whistler

Pachycephala rufiventris

Little Shrikethrush

Colluricincla megarhyncha

Australasian Figbird

Sphecotheres vieilloti

Olive-backed Oriole

Oriolus sagittatus

Spangled Drongo

Dicrurus bracteatus

Rhipidura albiscapa

Australian Rufous Fantail

Rhipidura rufifrons

Black-faced Monarch

Monarcha melanopsis

Leaden Flycatcher

Myiagra rubecula

Satin Flycatcher

Myiagra cyanoleuca

Shining Flycatcher

Restless Flycatcher

Myiagra inquieta

Australian Reed Warbler

Acrocephalus australis

Golden-headed Cisticola

Cisticola exilis

Zosterops lateralis

Acridotheres tristis

Dicaeum hirundinaceum

Red-browed Finch

Neochmia temporalis

Double-barred Finch

Stizoptera bichenovii

Gull-billed Tern

Gelochelidon nilotica

Black-necked Stork

Ephippiorhynchus asiaticus

Stictonetta naevosa

Cairina moschata

Anas platyrhynchos

Synoicus chinensis

Little Bronze Cuckoo

Chalcites minutillus

Heteroscenes pallidus

White-headed Pigeon

Columba leucomela

Lewinia pectoralis

Black-tailed Nativehen

Tribonyx ventralis

Baillon's Crake

Zapornia pusilla

Zapornia tabuensis

Antigone rubicunda

Hoary-headed Grebe

Poliocephalus poliocephalus

Great Crested Grebe

Podiceps cristatus

Red-necked Avocet

Recurvirostra novaehollandiae

Pluvialis squatarola

Red-kneed Dotterel

Erythrogonys cinctus

Black-tailed Godwit

Asian Dowitcher

Limnodromus semipalmatus

Terek Sandpiper

Common Sandpiper

Actitis hypoleucos

Wandering Tattler

Marsh Sandpiper

Tringa stagnatilis

Common Greenshank

Tringa nebularia

Broad-billed Sandpiper

Calidris falcinellus

Sharp-tailed Sandpiper

Calidris acuminata

Curlew Sandpiper

Calidris ferruginea

Pectoral Sandpiper

Calidris melanotos

Chlidonias hybrida

White-winged Tern

Chlidonias leucopterus

Parasitic Jaeger

Stercorarius parasiticus

Pomarine Jaeger

Stercorarius pomarinus

Wedge-tailed Shearwater

Ardenna pacifica

Fluttering Shearwater

Hieraaetus morphnoides

Spotted Harrier

Circus assimilis

Australian Hobby

Falco longipennis

Nymphicus hollandicus

Rose-ringed Parakeet

Psittacula krameri

Crimson Rosella

Platycercus elegans

Eastern Rosella

Platycercus eximius

Ailuroedus crassirostris

Regent Bowerbird

Sericulus chrysocephalus

Satin Bowerbird

Ptilonorhynchus violaceus

Eastern Spinebill

Acanthorhynchus tenuirostris

Myzomela obscura

White-naped Honeyeater

Melithreptus lunatus

Anthochaera carunculata

Manorina melanophrys

Spotted Pardalote

Pardalotus punctatus

Striated Thornbill

Acanthiza lineata

Australian Logrunner

Orthonyx temminckii

Sahul Cicadabird

Edolisoma tenuirostre

Varied Sittella

Daphoenositta chrysoptera

Spectacled Monarch

Symposiachrus trivirgatus

White-eared Monarch

Carterornis leucotis

Petrochelidon ariel

Petrochelidon nigricans

Little Grassbird

Poodytes gramineus

Rufous Songlark

Cincloramphus mathewsi

Tawny Grassbird

Cincloramphus timoriensis

Common Starling

Sturnus vulgaris

Passer domesticus

Sunda Zebra Finch

Taeniopygia guttata

Chestnut-breasted Mannikin

Lonchura castaneothorax

Eastern Yellow Wagtail

Motacilla tschutschensis

Leucosarcia melanoleuca

Western Swamphen

Porphyrio porphyrio

Black-winged Stilt

Himantopus himantopus

Vanellus tricolor

Butorides striata

Ardea intermedia

Eastern Grass Owl

Tyto longimembris

Collared Kingfisher

Todiramphus chloris

Alexandrine Parakeet

Psittacula eupatria

Yellow Honeyeater

Stomiopera flava

Masked Woodswallow

Artamus personatus

Cincloramphus cruralis

New Zealand Pipit

Anthus novaeseelandiae

New Holland Honeyeater

Phylidonyris novaehollandiae

Eastern Gray Kangaroo

Macropus giganteus

Short-beaked Echidna

Tachyglossus aculeatus

Northern Brown Bandicoot

Isoodon macrourus

Wallabia bicolor

Fawn-footed Mosaic-tailed Rat

Melomys cervinipes

Australian Bush Rat

Rattus fuscipes

Eurasian Wild Pig

Australian Humpback Dolphin

Sousa sahulensis

Common Brush-tailed Phascogale

Phascogale tapoatafa

Eastern Ring-tailed Possum

Pseudocheirus peregrinus

Common Water Rat

Hydromys chrysogaster

Black Flying Fox

Pteropus alecto

Gray-headed Flying Fox

Pteropus poliocephalus

Little Red Flying Fox

Pteropus scapulatus

New Zealand Fur Seal

Arctocephalus forsteri

Megaptera novaeangliae

Indo-Pacific Bottlenose Dolphin

Tursiops aduncus

Phascolarctos cinereus

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