Located on Brisbane’s eastern coast, North Stradbroke Island (’Straddie’ to the familiar) is one of Australia’s east coast natural treasures and a perfect escape destination. Something of a secret, it is only recently that Straddie has started to sparkle on the tourism and property radar.
To travel to Stradbroke Island via the bayside village of Cleveland will take you about fifty minutes using the vehicle ferry. Cleveland is a thirty minute drive from Brisbane International Airport and Brisbane central, and an drive from the Gold Coast. The boat ride across Moreton Bay is the first step that makes visiting Stradbroke Island such a wonderful experience.
Stradbroke Island is 27,530 hectares, which makes the world’s second largest sand island. The elongated sand island shields much of the southern part of Moreton Bay and the smaller islands from the ocean swells. The beaches are accessible by four-wheel drive, bicycle or on foot, with a number of great camp sites located down Main Beach, and beautiful views are visible from almost everywhere on Straddie.
The 35 kilometres of white sandy beaches fringing the island’s eastern side runs from Point Lookout in the north to Jumpin Pin in the south. From the Point lookout headland, the towering jungle of the Gold Coast is often clearly visible, being a constant reminder of the stark contrast to the slower pace of Straddie.
North Stradbroke (Minjerriba to the indigenous Noonuccal people) was the home of celebrated Aboriginal poet Kath Walker, or Oodgeroo Noonuccal. There is a great deal of Aboriginal and European history in Dunwich where the water taxis and barges land.
The calm waters of Moreton Bay lap against the shores of the island’s western fishing towns. With a lack of agriculture and the filtering effects of the sand provides unpolluted water which sea creatures, and particularly Stradbroke Rock Oysters thrive upon.
North Stradbroke attracts four-wheel drivers, fishermen, surfies and beach-lovers to the expansive stretches of sandy coast and rugged granite headlands, and the Island also offers a good range of accommodation, restaurants, cafes and holiday attractions. With an incredible diversity of experiences on offer and beautiful places to discover, North Stradbroke is a great holiday place for families, couples and adventure-seekers alike. The ideal way to see the Island is by Four Wheel Drive, but there are many stunning coastal walks and a mountain bike and whale watching map are an easier and more environmentally sound alternative.
Point Lookout is the main tourist hub, only a 30km drive on a sealed road from Dunwich. The North Gorge Headland is 40m above sea level and known as a leading land-based whale watching site during between May and November, and world-class surfing and fishing throughout the year.
Point Lookout’s beautiful beaches and headlands are safe for swimming, surfing and fishing all year round. Whales, dolphins, turtles and manta rays are regularly spotted from the spectacular North Gorge at the northern tip of the island. The island is listed as one of the world’s most ecologically important wetlands and has several freshwater lakes, waterways and lagoons that are accessible by four-wheel drive or on a guided tour with one of Straddie’s tour operators.
One of the great experiences of the island is the fresh seafood directly from local fishermen. Look for signs at Amity Point and Point Lookout which will direct you to their homes and the freshest catch-of-the-day around. For those who would rather the work be done for them, Straddie’s restaurants and cafes all make use of this fabulous resource in their menus.
“The Point” offers several alfresco style cafes, a bakery, chemist, post office, newsagent, corner store and supermarket. The island also has a bus service which links all 3 towns to the ferries and water taxis.
North Stradbroke Island is the ultimate paradise for the many enthusiasts who visit each year. On a good day it’s possible to surf right past the pub, along the evocatively named Cylinders Beach, on waves that peel dreamily for hundreds of metres. Stick ten bucks in the back pocket of your boardies and drop in for a beer on your way back around -you may even bump into world ranked surfer and local Bede Durbidge! Straddie also boasts what is perhaps the last truly old-school surf shop in the country, that makes it’s business selling surf equipment rather than fashion.
The jewels in the Straddie’s crown is Point Lookout and the natural wonder of the North Gorge Walk, along with the surf, the choice of beaches, all sheltered in various winds, the whale watching, and the spectacular coastal walk around the gorges. If you are looking for Stradbroke Island Accommodation, make sure you visit: http://www.discoverstradbroke.com.au/