Check out Bribie Island Nature Festival

Cultural tours, guided nature walks, bird watching, visual art exhibitions, talks and lectures by artists, scientists and community leaders, as well as a fashion show highlighting the local talents of young First Nation’s people are just a few of the activities locals and visitors can enjoy when the Bribie Island Nature Festival returns this October.

Now in its second year, the festival was created to showcase the unique environment and natural beauty of the island, while also celebrating the Kabi Kabi and Joondoburri people who generously share their stories and knowledge.

The festival will run from October 18-20, with activities scheduled across the island.

Following the successful launch event last year, Bribie Island Nature Festival executive producer Libby Anstis is once again inviting people to slow down, explore the region’s hidden gems, and discover the incredible range of talent from people who call the island home.

“We had such a positive response to last year’s festival, and I hope we see that again this year,” Libby says.

“We had around 3000 people who came and enjoyed all the activities the festival had to offer, and a lot of the visitors who came from outside the region decided to extend their stay and book accommodation on the island, which was fantastic for our local businesses and retailers.”

With another jam-packed program planned, Libby says there will be something for people of all ages to enjoy.

“I am really excited about this year’s program, which will cater for both children and adults,” Libby says.

“There will be around 30 events that people can dive into throughout the course of the weekend.

“One of the most popular activities will be the Yarun (Bribie Island) Cultural Tour, where guests will be guided to several culturally significant sites and experience traditional ceremony, dance, cultural and bushfood education, as well as seeing the beautiful natural landscapes of Bribie Island.

“We will also have some impressive guest speakers who will be dropping by to present nature walks and talks, as well as activities where people can observe the diversity of birdlife on Bribie Island, take part in weaving sessions with some talented locals, and creative workshops where you can make art in a bush setting.

“We will also have our Pumicestone Piano set up at the Bribie Island Arts Centre where musicians can go in and perform their own mini recital – people loved that last year, so we just knew it had to be part of the program again.”

To kickstart the festivities, a Canvas to Catwalk fashion parade will be held on the first day of the festival at Pacific Harbour, featuring designs and outfits made by local Indigenous teenagers.

One of the people involved in the fashion parade is Rachel Bywaters - a proud descendant of the peoples of the Gamilaroi nation on her father's side and European bloodlines on her mother's side.

Rachel is also an artist and is currently “finding her creative voice” by studying a Bachelor of Contemporary Australian Indigenous Art at Griffith University.

“As an artist myself, it is wonderful to see these young teenagers take pride in the designs they have created for the fashion show,” Rachel says.

“They have been working on this for over a year, with each design being an expression of their cultural identity.

“It will only be a small show, but the kids are so excited to be part of this and showcase their wonderful creations.”

Rachel is also the producer of the Yarun Cultural Tour.

See shore birds

Environmental Sustainability Rotary Action Group (ESRAG) Moreton Bay has hosted an event at Kakadu Beach previously and again in partnership with Bribie Island Environmental Protection Association and BINF is hosting Wings of the World to welcome back the shore birds on October 20 at 10am.

Spring is the time of the year when the migratory birds, including threatened species such as the Eastern Curlew, return from the northern Hemisphere to keep warm and feed on the shores of Moreton Bay. During Wings of the World, people can learn about these fascinating birds from University of Queensland PhD research students.

Stay up to date

For more information and updates about the festival, like the Bribie Island Nature Festival on Facebook or Instagram, or visit the website.