Walk to King Island from Wellington Point in Brisbane!

If you’re looking for one of Brisbane’s most unique coastal walks, the King Island Walk from Wellington Point is an absolute must-do. At just 1 kilometre offshore, King Island can be reached entirely on foot, but only when the tides are right.

The tricky part for first-time visitors is knowing when to go. The walk is completely tide-dependent, meaning you’ll need to plan carefully around tide times to avoid getting stranded. Questions like “How long does it take?”, “What’s the best time to visit?”, and “Is it safe for families?” are common, and planning ahead makes all the difference.

As a Brisbane local, I’ve enjoyed this walk more than once, and I can say it’s not just about stretching your legs, it’s about experiencing something special. In this guide, I’ll walk you through everything you need to know to make the most of your trip to Wellington Point, with photo’s of the different Tide stages.

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How to get to King Island in Brisbane?

Officially party of the Redland Bay Shire, King Island is perched off the coast of Wellington Point (Please see map here), and views stretch over Moreton Bay. It’s about 40 minutes away from the CBD, making it real easy for a day trip adventure.

This means you can go from the hustle and bustle of city life to nature trails in a short period of time. 

Getting to Wellington Point Recreation Reserve or Jetty is a breeze! But know, while public transport options are available, driving yourself is certainly my preference and an easier option. But you can choose between the options here, or a combination:

• 1. Car (plenty of parking available).
• 2. Train (Wellington Point train station is a 3.5 Kilometres/45-minute walk away). please see Translink for options
• 3. Bus (Will bring you closer than the train, but still some extra walking).
• 4. Taxi – Both Yellow (13cabs) and Black & White Taxi (131008,133 222) cabs are available through the App or Phone.
• 5. Uber App.

I think King Island is worth visiting to fill in the afternoon, or you’re looking for something unique to do. Although, you need to take it for what it is! 

This will not keep you entertained for the whole day, and the Island itself is small. However, the wildlife you’ll see will be birds, sometimes smaller fish, and the kids will go nuts over the small soldier crabs. 

Is there Car parking?

There is car parking, but it can get crowded during peak season, evenings, or weekends. Therefore, arriving early is best to find a spot at one of the designated parking areas. Otherwise, you’ll have to park some distance away.

How long is the Walk to King Island

For anyone short on time, the Walk to King Island from Wellington Point is the perfect way to get a little exercise while taking in the sights. Located just 1 kilometre away from the coast, and it takes roughly 20 minutes to traverse across the sand bar. 

Generally speaking, it takes about an hour to walk a return route. This includes doing a full circle of the island and checking out the plants and wildlife. But, once you get out there, you can extend it further with the low tide and get close to the passage.

Not only is it short and easy, but you also get an up-close-and-personal experience with nature during your trek. Just make sure to bring a camera so you can capture all of its beauty before heading back! If you need a visual, please watch my YouTube HERE for more details.

Walking is one of the best forms of exercise you can do, and depending on the route you take and how fast you walk, it can also be great for clearing your head, walking the dog, and getting some perspective. Not only that, but it’s easy on the budget and one of the cheapest things to do in Brisbane.

Whether it’s checking out local wildlife, stopping off at cafes, or simply taking in some magnificent scenery of the Moreton Bay region, this walk has something to offer everyone.

The Southern Moreton Bay Islands are another option to visit on a day trip from Brisbane. While you can’t walk there, they are easy to get to using the local public Transport ferry’s from the Redland Bay Marina.

When is the best time to walk there?

If you’re looking for the best time to walk to King Island from Wellington Point, low tide is definitely your best bet! Why, you ask? Well, that’s because the walking path (or Sand Bar) is covered with water at high tide. 

Officially, you have about 8 hours of time to walk out there each day, but it does take some planning and means researching the tide times. So consequently, about 2 hours after a high tide, you’ll start to see the sandbar appear, and people will start walking. 

Sunrises and sunsets are particularly interesting to me as a photographer with the sun crossing the horizon. Additionally, early afternoons or evenings are popular and one of the busiest times to visit.

Do you need help planning your trip to Queensland? Book a one-on-one consultation call with me, to get your questions answered & personalised help!

Checking tide times, with Photo’s?

You can look up the Tide Times online in advance or check the day before you want to go. Simply click HERE for the Tides and search for the day you want to visit. 

You can quickly check levels with both hourly and daily times for King Island tides. Hover your mouse or click on your phone, and the site will detail the time and level of the tide. 

Start gaging by the lowest tide on the website and estimate to start about 2 hours after that. Otherwise, you have time to walk out there roughly 2 hours before the next high tide.

I can’t express enough the importance of checking the tide times and trying to walk out at a Low Tide, or at least coming into Low tide. My pictures below will show you the comparison between the tides, and you’ll notice the high tide is completely covered with water. 

What does High Tide look like?

As you can see from the Photo, The sandy track is completely covered at high tide, and you cannot walk out to King Island.

However have seen plenty of Kayaks or paddleboard giving it a try, or you could always swim.

What does 2 hours after high tide look like?

As the walk isn’t that far, you generally have a lot of time to play with. However, I found starting my King Island walk 2 hours after high tide from Wellington Point was a perfect time for my photography.

This is also when you’ll see the thin stretch of sand leading you out to the Island.

What does low tide look like?

During low tide, pretty much the entire area has sand visible. And, starting at peak low tide will still be safe enough to start walking.

At this time, most of the mangrove is also visible, which is great for kids to explore the crabs and other creatures hanging about.

What’s the History of the Island?

Visitors have walked across the exposed sand bar for hundreds of years to picnic and relax on King Island.

Although uninhabited now, it was once home to a family in the early 1900s. You can read all about this family living for two years on the plaques erected in the Island.

In 1887, King Island was formally declared a reserve and today protected as a regional park, supported by a volunteer group and Redland City Council.

It’s an essential high tide bird roost and low tide feeding ground for shore birds.

Grey mangroves surround the island and buffer it from the wind and sea. The Swamp trees trap the sand and shelter the eight bird species inhabiting the small Island. The surrounding waters are part of the Moreton Bay Marine Park and boast coral reefs, Sponge habitats, and seagrass meadows.

Just know, you can take Dogs on a walk to King Island, as long as they are on a leash.

But, while the sand provides a convenient path for your pup to take toward the destination, those four-legged cuties are NOT allowed to set foot on the actual island itself. 

This is to protect the plants, wildlife, and environmental damage! 

What facilities are available there?

There are many facilities available at Wellington Point, and it’s a trendy weekend spot for the locals. Pack a lunch and spend a few hours there, or use the coffee shop and restaurant to catch up with friends. 

There is a kid’s playground, bathrooms, a jetty, and a boat ramp – so you can imagine how busy it does get. However, this is a great little spot to explore, chill, swim, or take the family for a day out.

It’s one of the most unique attractions in Brisbane that’s worth visiting, so please check it out when you’re next around. 

Wrap up!

Thanks for reading this blog post today on Walking to King Island in Brisbane, from Wellington Point. I hope you found the information you were looking for.

Remember to check out other blogs from Brisbane or the South East Queensland Area to help plan your trip!

• Closest Motels/Hotels to Brisbane Airport
• Brisbane Vs Gold Coast – Which one is better to visit?
• 5 Day Brisbane Itinerary in South East Queensland
• One Day in Brisbane: Choices for your Itinerary
• Best Day Trips from Brisbane & South East Queensland
• Brisbane at night, Fun things to see and do
• Skip the Brisbane Airtrain: Save Using my Airport Hack
• Carnival Encounter Cruise Review & Best Tips