Pumicestone National Park

National Park Coastal marine park with sandbanks and mangroves

A coastal reserve between Bribie Island and the Queensland mainland, Pumicestone National Park protects tidal channels and sand islands; visitors come for birdwatching, kayaking the Pumicestone Passage, and shoreline walks.

Main image

Pumicestone National Park is a coastal protected area in Queensland, Australia, that conserves islands, sand dunes, mangroves and intertidal wetlands along the Pumicestone Passage between Bribie Island and the mainland. It protects both marine and foreshore habitats important for birds and marine life.

The park is known regionally for birdwatching and estuarine wildlife and includes the tidal channel called the Pumicestone Passage, which runs along the length of Bribie Island. Visitors use walking tracks, boat launches and kayaking to experience the wetlands, dunes and shoreline.

Park management focuses on habitat protection for migratory waders, seagrass and mangrove communities and on controlled recreational access to reduce disturbance. Facilities are limited and activities are generally nature-based rather than intensive recreation.

Geographically the park lies along the eastern Queensland coast adjacent to Bribie Island and the mainland near towns on the Sunshine Coast / Moreton Bay region, north of Brisbane.

  • Wildlife: The protected waterway is an important habitat for waders, migratory shorebirds and fish species, making it a regional birdwatching and wildlife area.
  • Access: Much of the park is accessed by boat or via Bribie Island; designated walking tracks and launch points are the main visitor entry routes.

What to See #

  • Pumicestone Passage: The tidal channel separating Bribie Island from the mainland, running roughly 35 kilometres and supporting mangroves, seagrass beds and intertidal flats.
  • Bribie Island foreshore: Sections of Bribie Island foreshore and dunes that form the park boundary, providing beach access, dune vegetation and frontage to the passage.
Pumicestone National Park
-26.9775, 153.0602
Park entry free; fees for ferry or transfers may apply depending on access point

How to Get to Pumicestone National Park #

Access is via the Bribie Island causeway or mainland points along the Pumicestone Passage near Brisbane. Check Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service for access points, permits and any boat or ferry requirements.

Tips for Visiting Pumicestone National Park #

  • If visiting Pumicestone National Park (Queensland), check tides and bird migration times-tide flats reveal wading birds and invertebrate life.
  • Bring binoculars for birdwatching; the park is important for migratory shorebirds.
  • Access can require a boat or crossing bridges-plan logistics in advance and check local park authority advisories.

Best Time to Visit Pumicestone National Park #

Dry winter months and spring are best for wildlife viewing and comfortable conditions.

Winter (dry)
May-Aug · 10-22°C
Clear days and comfortable conditions for walking and birdwatching.
Spring
Sep-Nov · 15-26°C
Breeding bird activity and wildflowers in adjacent reserves.
Summer (wet)
Dec-Feb · 20-30°C
Hot and humid with tropical showers; cyclone season risk in northern Australia.

Weather & Climate near Pumicestone National Park #

Climate

Pumicestone National Park's climate is classified as Humid Subtropical - Humid Subtropical climate with warm summers (peaking in January) and cool winters (coldest in July). Temperatures range from 9°C to 29°C. Abundant rainfall (1380 mm/year), wettest in January.

Air Quality: AQI 25 Good
Best Time to Visit
SeptemberNovemberMay
Temperature & Rainfall
Temperature Range
36°
Warmest Month
Coldest Month
Monthly Conditions

January

January is the warmest month with highs of 29°C and lows of 21°C. The wettest month with heavy rain (183 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

76 Very Good

Comfort

25°
Feels Like Warm
25°C
Temperature
21° 29°
75%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

183 mm
Rainfall
5.1 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
2.9
UV Index
Extreme
13.5h daylight

February

February is warm with highs of 29°C and lows of 20°C. Significant rainfall (171 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

76 Very Good

Comfort

25°
Feels Like Warm
25°C
Temperature
21° 29°
77%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

171 mm
Rainfall
4.7 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
2.6
UV Index
Extreme
12.9h daylight

March

March is mild with highs of 28°C and lows of 20°C. Significant rainfall (154 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

76 Very Good

Comfort

24°
Feels Like Mild
24°C
Temperature
20° 28°
77%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

154 mm
Rainfall
4.3 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
2.1
UV Index
Extreme
12.1h daylight

April

April is mild with highs of 26°C and lows of 17°C. Significant rainfall (136 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

78 Very Good

Comfort

21°
Feels Like Mild
21°C
Temperature
17° 26°
74%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

136 mm
Rainfall
3.3 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
1.5
UV Index
Very High
11.3h daylight

May

May is mild with highs of 24°C and lows of 14°C. Significant rainfall (124 mm).

80 Excellent

Comfort

19°
Feels Like Mild
19°C
Temperature
14° 24°
71%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

124 mm
Rainfall
3.5 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
1.0
UV Index
Moderate
10.7h daylight

June

June is cool with highs of 20°C and lows of 11°C. Moderate rainfall (74 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

74 Very Good

Comfort

16°
Feels Like Cool
16°C
Temperature
11° 21°
74%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

74 mm
Rainfall
3.8 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
0.7
UV Index
Moderate
10.4h daylight

July

July is the coolest month with highs of 20°C and lows of 9°C. Moderate rainfall (79 mm).

71 Very Good

Comfort

15°
Feels Like Cool
15°C
Temperature
20°
70%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

79 mm
Rainfall
2.8 m/s
Wind
Calm
0.8
UV Index
Moderate
10.5h daylight

August

August is cool with highs of 22°C and lows of 9°C. Moderate rainfall (50 mm) and mostly sunny skies.

80 Excellent

Comfort

16°
Feels Like Cool
16°C
Temperature
22°
67%
Humidity
Humid

Weather

50 mm
Rainfall
3.8 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
1.1
UV Index
High
11.1h daylight

September

September is mild with highs of 24°C and lows of 12°C. Moderate rainfall (40 mm) and mostly sunny skies.

90 Ideal

Comfort

18°
Feels Like Mild
18°C
Temperature
12° 24°
69%
Humidity
Humid

Weather

40 mm
Rainfall
4.1 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
1.6
UV Index
Very High
11.8h daylight

October

October is mild with highs of 26°C and lows of 15°C. Regular rainfall (100 mm).

80 Excellent

Comfort

20°
Feels Like Mild
20°C
Temperature
15° 26°
71%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

100 mm
Rainfall
4.0 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
2.1
UV Index
Extreme
12.6h daylight

November

November is mild with highs of 27°C and lows of 18°C. Significant rainfall (121 mm).

82 Excellent

Comfort

22°
Feels Like Mild
22°C
Temperature
18° 27°
71%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

121 mm
Rainfall
4.8 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
2.5
UV Index
Extreme
13.3h daylight

December

December is warm with highs of 28°C and lows of 20°C. Significant rainfall (148 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

78 Very Good

Comfort

24°
Feels Like Warm
24°C
Temperature
20° 29°
73%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

148 mm
Rainfall
4.6 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
2.7
UV Index
Extreme
13.6h daylight

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