Past Bribie Attractions

In the 2018 edition (#44) of Bribie magazine Holiday Guide & Business Directory (page 21) is an interesting article Chasing the Tourism Dollar about two past attractions on Bribie - the seawater Aquarium at Red Beach (1960s) and the Funland waterslide (1980s).



The following article is reprinted with permission, from 2018 Bribie Holiday Guide & Business Directory published by the Bribie Island Chamber of Commerce.

CHASING THE TOURISM DOLLAR

Bribie Island has always been chasing the tourism dollar from before the bridge was built. When the area of Bongaree was settled and the jetty was built, regular trips by the Koopa from Brisbane and Redcliffe brought the first tourists here.

Weekend and holiday time were the busiest with people coming for the fishing and beaches. Most would be camping as there weren't many houses or permanent residents at that time.

In the 1920s the road from the Bongaree area to Ocean Beach was built but it was still a long trip to get across to that side of the island. This didn't deter the many holiday makers from making the trip and Bribie has continued to attract tourists from then until now.

In the 1950s the common way to reach Bribie Island was by the barge that ran from Toorbul Point. This was convenient as people could bring their cars over to the island.

In 1963 the biggest boom to Bribie's tourist marked came when the Bribie Island bridge was built. It was at this time that incentives were offered for new tourist attractions so in 1962, before the bridge was completed, a seawater aquarium was developed in the bush area adjacent to Red Beach. 

Ruins of the seawater Aquarium at Red Beach.
Photo: Bribie Island Chamber of Commerce.

The aquarium had large glass fronted concrete tanks which were screened by shade huts and linked by pipes. Specimens for the aquarium were collected from the surrounding region. Unfortunately the aquarium failed to attract enough tourists and closed within a year of opening. 

The remains of the aquarium tanks can be seen if you travel to the carpark at Red Beach. Follow the carpark all the way to the right and you will see a track entrance which leads to the spot where the aquarium was situated.

Bribie Waterslide at Funland in 1986.
Photo: Bribie Island Chamber of Commerce.

In June 1986 a Water Park for Bribie was publicised with the following article:

"A major water theme park and waterslide is to be built on Bribie. To be centrally located on Goodwin Drive the development will consist of a waterslide, swimming pools, trampolines, mini-car track and will be set in landscaped gardens with BBQ facilities, tables chairs and other picnic facilities.

The waterslide will dominate the west Bribie skyline and should prove a major attraction, not only to residents, but to our tourists as well. At long last, Bribie will be able to offer its first major tourist attractions."

This heralded another tourism opportunity for Bribie.  The waterslide arrived and was open to the public on 1 November 1986.  Unfortunately the interest in the venture died off and they weren't attracting the numbers necessary to keep it open. The waterslide was dismantled and sold off. 

With the increasing interest in attracting tourists to Bribie, the Chamber of Commerce realised they needed to capture this market and hopefully promote repeat tourism business. After much organisation Bribie's own Information Centre was provided by the Chamber of Commerce in 1986.

The building was placed in the centre of the dividing strip in Benabrow Avenue which placed it in highly visible position for the public. A new building has since replaced the first one situated there and it still receives a large number of visitors all through the year.

So Bribie has always been chasing the tourism dollar, at times it has been difficult to promote due its location, not being part of Brisbane or the Sunshine Coast, but when you look at it people have, and always will, visit Bribie Island to enjoy a holiday at the beach were you can fish, swim, camp or just relax.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

2018 edition (#44) of Bribie magazine Holiday Guide & Business Directory (page 21) 
Bribie Island Chamber of Commerce