Ultimate Guide to North Stradbroke Island

North Stradbroke Island has got to be one of Brisbane’s sweetest holiday spots. For a day trip, a weekend away or a longer stay, Straddie will not disappoint. Here is our ultimate guide to making your next trip to North Stradbroke Island the best island getaway ever!

How to Get There

Paradise is only a short ferry ride away from Brisbane’s Cleveland, around a 45-minute drive from Brisbane’s CBD. Plus, Stradbroke is dog friendly so you can bring along the whole family!

Stradbroke Flyer

Departing from Toondah Harbour in Cleveland, the Stradbroke Flyer is a water taxi service that can get you to Straddie in just 25 minutes! It’s a walk-on ferry, so no car transportation and it costs $20 return for an adult and $10 return for a child. You can also purchase multi tickets that have 10 trips included in your ticket. These ferries have snacks and drinks for purchase and are met with a bus in Dunwich that can take you to Point Lookout. We suggest sitting outside on the deck and enjoying the magical sunshine and scenery of Moreton Bay. 

Stradbroke Ferries 

Another great option is travelling with Stradbroke Ferries. These are larger ferries that travel with cars, with one-way rates around $83 for a standard car – prices do vary at different times of the day. To travel with your vehicle, head to their website and book a spot. Walk-on passengers are also permitted at $17 adult and $11 child, both return trips. This ferry takes about 45 minutes to reach Straddie, what a perfect time to marvel at the ocean views! 

Where to Stay 

Whether you’re looking to stay in a house, unit or camp on the beach, Straddie has it all! If you’re looking to camp, check out Minjerribah Camping – they have 8 campsites on Straddie so you get to choose your ideal location. These campsites have powered and unpowered sites as well as cabins and “glamping tents” if you’re looking for a more luxurious camping experience. 

Straddie also has many houses available for rent so definitely take a look at AirBnB if a house is what you’re after. Units and apartments are available too, Straddie has a few small hotels and resorts with self-contained apartments. If you’re looking for your own unit in a prime Point Lookout location we recommend Anchorage on Straddie – nothing beats waking up next to the beach!

Where to Eat 

In Dunwich, grab lunch with a beautiful view of Moreton Bay at The Little Ships Club, we can’t think of anywhere better to enjoy fresh fish and chips. Looking for a snack? The Island Fruit Barn in Dunwich has the most delicious array of muffins and pastries for morning tea and salads, sandwiches and sausage rolls for a quick lunch so you can get back to exploring Stradbroke. Don’t forget to pick up some Straddie Honey before you leave!

In Point Lookout, have dinner and some fun at the Point Lookout Bowls Club. Not only is the food great, but you can also play barefoot bowls with your friends and family before dinner! Enjoy a few drinks, the sunset, and some friendly competition. This last recommendation is critical – don’t leave North Stradbroke without trying some gelato from Oceanic Gelati. They always have new flavours to try along with delicious classics, we promise this gelati shop is unmissable!

What to Do

North Stradbroke is known for its stunning beaches, and there are lots of great spots to visit on and off the beach. Some beaches to spend the day at including Cylinder Beach, Flinders Beach, Main Beach, Frenchmans Beach – and that’s only a few options, try and explore every beach to find your own favourite secret spot. 

Craving some outdoor adventure? Head to the end of Deadman’s Beach to discover its giant sand hill! The view from the top is amazing but our favourite part is running/falling all the way back down to the beach. Bring a boogie/skimboard or even a piece of cardboard and try sliding down the hill! For the best views on Straddie, head to the Gorge Walk at Point Lookout (conveniently located across the street from Oceanic Gelati!) The Gorge Walk is always beautiful and has the best wildlife sightings, keep an eye out for kangaroos, whales, dolphins, turtles, stingrays and more.

If you need a change of scenery from the beach, try relaxing at one of North Straddie’s lakes. Brown Lake and Blue Lake are perfect for cooling down on a hot day and are both gorgeous parts of Straddie. They are of great importance to the Quandamooka people so please respect the land and you’ll feel their magical history. While you can drive to Brown Lake, Blue Lake is a return walking trip of 5.2 km so don’t forget sunscreen, a hat and comfortable walking shoes. Also, be aware that dogs are prohibited in the Naree Budjong Djara National Park which includes both of these lakes.