Surf Beach at Woorim on Bribie Island is on the ocean side of the island, the closest surf beach on the north side of Brisbane. Woorim is an Aboriginal word for kangaroo.
The main parking area is in front of the Bribie Island Surf Lifesavers Club. The beach is regularly patrolled by the volunteer surf lifesavers where the beach is accessed from near the shops.
The shops, along with the club, provides great services to make a day of it. Whether you have fish and chips for lunch, an ice-cream to cool off when not in the water, or a coffee, there is enough to get you through the day.
The main beach access is where the shops are (between the shops and the Surf Lifesavers Club), with lots of grass and a few tables to set up for a picnic. There are some shady spots but not too many, so bringing your own shade during the warmer months may be a good idea.
The beach is at the lower end of the island with Moreton Island within view across the water. Moreton Island protects the beach from southerly swells, but larger waves can produce a heavy shorebreak, rips, and a drag along the beach.
The beach continues north, with a number of park areas and access points down to the beach. The beach extends the whole length of the island, some 30km right up to a narrow channel to Caloundra and Golden Beach in the Sunshine Coast. Most of this can be driven by 4wd on the Ocean Beach but you will have to walk the last 5km or so where vehicles are not permitted.
To the south, the beach heads around the southern end of Bribie Island through to Woody Bay and Red Beach. The beach can get narrow during high tides, down towards Woody Bay and Red Beach it can be blocked by driftwood high on the beach.
Near the parking area (southern end from the surf club) we found a few dead trees decorated with numerous thongs (or flipflops for overseas visitors). I wondered how random tourists are nailing thongs to the trees so high up, then I noticed there is a crate next to one of them where you can donate your unwanted thongs.
To Get There
From the Bribie Island Visitor Information Centre, head west towards Woorim (the exit nearest to the centre) to the roundabout. At the roundabout, take the third exit for Goodwin Dr towards Woorim. A sign before the roundabout shows a brown sign for Surf Beach for the third exit. Continue for another 6.3km, heading straight through a number of roundabouts, arriving at the shops of Woorim. The road bends to the left with the entrance to the parking area 50m on the right.
On the Bruce Hwy north of Brisbane, take the exit to Bribie Island (exit 152). If heading north, after taking the exit, continue straight ahead under the overpass then immediately left to head to Bribie Island. If heading south, after taking the exit, continue straight ahead under the overpass. The exit follows along the highway for about 1km. Keep to the left to head to Bribie Island. Follow along Bribie Island Rd for 18km to the bridge across to Bribie Island. Continue over the bridge and at the roundabout head straight across (third exit) towards Woorim. After 600m at the next roundabout, take the third exit for Goodwin Dr towards Woorim. A sign before the roundabout shows a brown sign for Surf Beach for the third exit. Continue for another 6.3km, heading straight through a number of roundabouts, arriving at the shops of Woorim. The road bends to the left with the entrance to the parking area 50m on the right.
