Don’t miss Bribie Island Nature Festival

Bribie Island Nature Festival is returning this month, with plenty on offer for locals and visitors wanting to explore the island and learn about its cultural heritage.

The festival runs from October 17-19, bringing community organisations, artists and nature lovers together to showcase Bribie Island’s unique culture, flora, fauna - its place and its people.

Bribie Island Environmental Protection Association (BIEPA), Pumicestone Indigenous Education and Employment Council, Bribie Island Community Arts Centre, Bribie Island Library, CSIRO are hosting events and activities over the weekend.

In 2025, the spotlight will be on Bribie’s most famous artist Ian Fairweather with an art workshop at the site of his former home, as well as a concert paying tribute to his life and art on Saturday, October 18.

Festival Producer Libby Anstis is encouraging people to book early for events and activities.

“The Bribie Island Nature Festival is dispersed throughout the island and many events and activities have limited capacities. Last year, some people were disappointed to find sold out events and activities,” Libby explains.

The program this year sees the return of popular free activities such as the Pumicestone Piano, and Wings Over the World, plus new events and activities that encourage residents to see corners of the island from a new perspective.

Festival events

A Conversation of Hope

The Bribie Island Nature Festival opens on Friday, October 17 with a special event at Bribie Island Community Arts Centre.

The opening night event A Conversation of Hope, asks a panel of experts to imagine what it might take to reintroduce the emus back to the island, replacing harvested pine plantation with the original woodland habitat.

After the panel discussion, guests are invited to stay for a post-show function and continue the debate.

Tickets $20.

For bookings visit bribieislandnaturefestival.com.au

Bribie Jazz

The JMI ensemble, from the internationally renowned jazz institute, will be back in 2025 for an afternoon of classic and new songs, featuring singer and trumpeter Alyssa Sinclair.

Bribie Jazz will be in the Bribie Island Recreation Hall on October 18 from 4pm. Guests can purchase a glass (or bottle) of wine at the bar and settle in for an afternoon of quality music.

Tickets are $25 and are expected to sell out.

For bookings visit bribieislandnaturefestival.com.au

Fairweather: A Musical Journey

Local artist Geoff Ginn has childhood memories of Bribie’s famous artist Ian Fairweather, and will open an exclusive event on Saturday, October 18 at the Bribie Island Recreation Hall from 6pm.

The concert features original music by Queensland composer Erik Griswold, and is written and narrated by award-winning writer Rodney Hall.

The music is performed by a string quartet and Japanese koto instrument, and features original artwork by Glen Henderson.

This exclusive event is supported by the State Government through Arts Queensland.

Tickets are $25.

For bookings, visit bribieislandnaturefestival.com.au

Tree Trail: Yarun’s Woodland Heritage

Guests are invited on a tour of Bribie Island to discover some of its significant trees - those ancient sentinels that provide homes to many species, the towering trees that hold the stories of our First Nations people, and local favourites that provide respite from heat on a summer’s day.

This half-day tour, in partnership with BIEPA and Pumicestone Indigenous Education and Employment Council, will have you looking at our trees with a whole new lens on October 19 from 11am.

Tickets are $55, including lunch.

For bookings, visit bribieislandnaturefestival.com.au