Poverty Creek day-use area
Relax and unwind next to the gentle waters of Pumicestone Passage and enjoy expansive views across to the Glass House Mountains.
Accessible by
- High clearance 4WD
- Boat
Attraction facilities
- Wood-fired barbecue (BYO wood)
- Picnic tables
- Toilets (flush)
- Photo credit: Rose Gray © Queensland Government
- Photo credit: © MJL Photography
- Photo credit: Leanne Siebuhr © Queensland Government
- Photo credit: © Ben Blanche
Stoke the wood-fired BBQ and enjoy a relaxing picnic surrounded by shady trees, as you gaze over the tidal wetlands of Pumicestone Passage.
Arrive by boat or drive along the Poverty Creek access track, exploring the island's varied habitats along the way.
Paddle your canoe or kayak from the shore and spot turtles and dugong feeding on seagrass beds. Enjoy watching migratory shorebirds fossicking along the shoreline and look for sea eagles, osprey and brahminy kites gliding overhead.
Throw in a line and try your luck at catching a flathead, whiting, tailor or mangrove jack for dinner.
Getting there and getting around
The Poverty Creek day-use area is in Bribie Island National Park and Recreation Area, 65km north of Brisbane.
- The day-use area is on the western side of the island, on the shores of Pumicestone Passage, and can be accessed by high-clearance 4WD with low range capability, or by boat.
Road access
- From the bridge, drive north along Sunderland Drive and continue along White Patch Esplanade.
- At White Patch, follow the main track north, passing the turn-off to Gallagher Point camping area.
- At the next track intersection, veer left and continue to the Poverty Creek camping area.
- A vehicle access permit must be purchased. Display the permit on your windscreen before driving in the recreation area. 24hr number plate surveillance cameras in use. Please ensure vehicle registration details are correct on your permit. For more information see:
- Two-wheel-drive (2WD) vehicles, trail bikes and motorbikes are prohibited from obtaining a vehicle access permit and entering the Bribie Island Recreation Area.
- Read 4WD with care for important information on 4WD safety and minimal impact driving.
Speed limits
- 30km/hr on inland tracks.
- 10km/hr at Poverty Creek camping area.
Boat access
- The closest boat ramps are on the mainland at Donnybrook, Toorbul and Sandstone Point.
- Boat ramps are also located at Golden Beach, Bells Creek and Coochin Creek on the mainland.
- You can also launch your boat from the island at Bellara and Bongaree boat ramps.
- When boating over seagrass beds in Pumicestone Passage, do your best to minimise impacts on dugongs. Take it easy and observe the go slow areas .
- Read boat and fish with care for tips on boating and fishing safety and caring for parks.
Getting to Bribie Island
The island can be reached via a road bridge from the Caboolture turn-off on the Bruce Highway, or by boat from the nearby mainland.
Wheelchair access
There are no wheelchair-accessible facilities.
Before you visit
Opening hours
Poverty Creek day-use area is open 24 hours a day
Check park alerts for the latest information on access, closures and conditions.
Visiting safely
For more safety information see Visiting Bribie safely.
- Northern Access Track CLOSED due to wet conditions 30 January to 5 April 2024
- Poverty Creek camping area closed from 15 April 2024 for toilet block upgrade 3 November 2023 to 8 July 2024
- Drive with care during marine turtle nesting season 6 March to 3 June 2024
- Camp site booking restrictions due to tidal inundation 11 January to 31 December 2024
- Bribie Island’s northern breakaway section remains part of the recreation area 30 June 2023 to 30 December 2024
- Poison canisters washing up on Southeast Queensland beaches 4 September 2023 to 31 March 2024