Holiday houses in Sandstone Point

Part of the Moreton Bay region just 50 kilometres (30 miles) north of Brisbane, Sandstone Point is the single gateway to beautiful Bribie Island — cross the bridge from here and you’re on one of the three major sand islands in the bay, the others being North Stradbroke and Moreton. More than 360 much smaller drops of land lie just offshore, making this part of Queensland hugely popular among watersports enthusiasts and sun-seekers.

The bay itself is designated as a marine park, a protected haven for dolphins and harmless wobbegong sharks, which you’ll spot while cruising around the calm cove or on snorkelling expeditions amid Moreton Island’s famed Tangalooma shipwrecks. You don’t have to travel far to experience the celebrated surf breaks of the Coral Sea, so epic they attract wave-riders from around the world.

Prime position aside, Sandstone Point is perennially popular thanks to its blissful year-round temperatures, remaining balmy for most of the year. Summer and the Easter school holidays are peak seasons when vacationers descend to make the most of the region’s ample sun, sand, and surf, with plenty of calm coves also available for swimming. The water temperature drops only a degree or two in winter, which means there’s never a bad time to dive in. The warmer months also see sporting events in full force in this part of Queensland, with a series of triathlons held annually between October and March. You’ll likely glimpse sea turtles and dolphins year round, as well as migrating whales from May through November.

Moreton Island

The car ferry to Moreton Island takes 75 minutes and lands at a spot where you can find shops and cafes. Once there you can explore remote beaches, ocean pools, and Moreton Lighthouse at the northern tip — a great place to spot dolphins, turtles, manta rays, dugongs, and migrating humpback whales playing offshore.

Tangalooma Shipwrecks

Whether you captain your own boat or catch a ferry out to Moreton Island, get ready to discover the region with your head under water. Between the 1960s and 1980s, 15 ships were scuttled just offshore to attract fish and grow coral. Today, the site is popular among snorkellers and divers alike, with additional tours available via sea scooter.

Bribie Island

The majority of Bribie Island is national parkland, a place of wild beauty you can explore off-road in your own 4WD, or on a tour showcasing remote stretches of sand, languid lagoons, and swathes of tropical rainforest enveloping unexpected WWII fortifications.