Part 2: Freddy the Kangaroo, Neil the Seal and Bribie Island Wildlife

We recently chatted to Jason, Managing Director of G’Day Adventure Tours about all things Bribie Island, wildlife, 4WDing and more. This is part two of the series. Read part one here.

Can you tell us a little bit about G’Day Adventure Tours and how you started the tours?

I started the tours 3 years ago. It was an idea I had as I thought something was missing from Bribie Island. I applied for the permit and started operating. We believed there was a gap in the market – no one was doing 4WD and kayak tours on Bribie and it was definitely not something visitors could do any time of the year.

What kind of tours do you offer?

We offer a range of tours now. We have 4 tours for Bribie alone.

• Bribie Island Adventure Tour
• Bribie Island Beach and Bunker Tour
• Bribie Island Beach, Bunker and Kayak Tour
• Bribie Island Beach and SUP tour.

We also now offer tours up the Sunshine Coast, offering options for interstate and international guests who do not have access to vehicles. We are also teamed up with SC Surf Schools to start offering Surf Lessons as an add-on extra for day trippers to Sunshine Coast.

We have also recently introduced tours to Moreton Island and Fraser Island!

We know your tours go to the WW2 Bunkers, can you tell us about them?

We have a host of WW2 forts up the top end of Bribie, also some down the bottom end of Bribie. We don’t often explore the ones on the southern end but I always tell people they are there and if they are really interested they can go and have a look at it themselves.

So the ones up the top end are known as Fort Bribie and they had a number of gun emplacements. Basically, that was the first line of defence for Brisbane had we ever been attacked by the Japanese.

I could go into such depth about the history of Bribie but maybe that’s for another day.

What animals might you see on the kayak tours that you may not normally see of the 4WD tours?

An array of birds and I guess more than anything you will see more of the natural Australian landscape. We will paddle right up into Norfolk Lagoon and see massive 100 or 200 year old grass trees. We do pass a European Honey Bee hive up there which you wouldn’t normally see on a 4WD tour. Also if you get a really still day the tea tree in the water helps to make the perfect mirror effect, reflecting all the trees off the water.

What advice would you give to Bribie Island visitors regarding wildlife?

I would say, they are not out to hurt you but if you frighten them or threaten them in any way that's when they can become dangerous. So do not touch, feed or approach the wildlife. Always keep your distance from the wildlife and of course never feed them. At the end of the day, they are a wild animal and we don’t want them relying on humans for their food.

Which Bribie Island beach do you see the most wildlife?

Ocean Beach, the main beach on the Island.

Do you stop and allow visitors to take photos with the wildlife?

Yes, if it safe to do so. If the kangaroos are on the beach we will get out and have a look around, but of course, keep our distance. I always make sure the guests grab a good photo with them.

Lastly, do you have any fun Bribie Island Fun Facts?

• Bribie Island is the fourth largest sand island in the world
• Bribie Island is the only major island in Queensland connected by a bridge
• The WW2 bunkers on Bribie Island were the first line of navel defence for the Brisbane line
• The concept of ANZAC day was founded on Bribie Island in the fishing clubhouse

For more Bribie Island things to do...

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Looking for more things to do and see? Pop into one of the region's Accredited Visitor Information Centres, the volunteers have a wealth of local knowledge.