Heading past the shops on Benabrow Ave across from the Vet and Simone Wilson’s office a little pastel hut sits at the end of the car park in the middle of the lanes heading to and from the Bribie Bridge.
Not much bigger than a kid’s cubby house it flies the information centre flag out front to indicate what’s inside. Many buzz past without noticing but the information centre is a treasure trove of information on the islands history, features, businesses and attractions.
The walls have local brochures from businesses like the ferryman, 4WD tours, national park maps, guides to the passage, accommodation options, eateries, island history, activities and attractions like the butterfly house and local museums. Local papers give the visitor a flavour of what’s happening in the community and upcoming events.
Maps of the island are popular and the volunteers can highlight the areas a day tripper may be interested in like the Bongaree Jetty, Seaside Museum and shops, the views from the VMR shops and cafes for lunch goers and the patrolled flags and look out of Woorim.
A list of all the op shops for a ladies day out or the WW2 information for the history buff including gun emplacements and submarine detection facilities may be useful. The history of Skirmish Point and the Aboriginal history of the island interest the beach walkers and some practical tips on tides and tyre pressure for the 4WD novice saves a lot of grief to the visitors.
Further afield the Abbey Museum and the Air Museum attract those with more time and then information on the Sunshine Coast, Woodford, Hervey Bay and Fraser Island, Moreton Island and all points north to Cairns are popular for the nomads blowing through Bribie on their way to adventure.
The volunteers are very experienced and knowledgeable about the area and go on familiarisation trips to many attractions and are aware of the week’s events including markets. A weekly ring around the Bribie accommodation houses provides a list of vacancies each weekend or school holiday period saving tourists much time and effort locating a place to stay and helping local business into the deal.
Locals often come in saying they have relatives coming for a week wanting to give them information and options and leave saying they had learned something about their island home despite having lived here for years. Definitely worth the visit when it reopens after the recent close as a local resource and vital asset in getting local businesses up and going after the Corona Virus closures.