Best things to do on Stradbroke Island – North Straddie Guide

Best things to do on Stradbroke Island – North Straddie Guide

If you're looking for the best things to do on North Stradbroke Island, then you've probably heard about the island's epic surf, nature and beaches. Straddie is one of those places that defines South East Queensland. It has some of the most diverse wildlife in the region, is fairly quiet all year round and has some amazing landscapes that you shouldn't miss.

Many people who visit North Stradbroke Island are looking for adventure and wildlife but have not yet planned their trip. Here's a full list of some of the best things to do on North Stradbroke Island.

Arrival to Stradbroke Island

To get to North Stradbroke Island you need to take a ferry from the mainland. The island is best reached by ferry from Toondah Harbor in Cleveland. There are large car ferries that run hourly from 4:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. The cost is about $60 for a car and $7 per passenger per crossing.

The entire journey from Cleveland to Dunwich takes just 30 minutes. You can find the schedule and ticketing here.

OR BOOK A FULL DAY TOUR FROM BRISBANE FOR UNDER $160 PER PERSON WITH FREE LUNCH AND TRANSPORTATION

Getting around Stradbroke

The absolute best way to get around and explore Stradbroke Island is by car. If you have a 4×4 you can even purchase a beach permit to drive on the long white sandy beaches. In my opinion it's worth it and definitely one of the best things to do on Stradbroke Island.

4×4 BEACH ACCESS PERMITS PRICE: Off-road 4X4 beach access permits can be purchased online and cost $46.80 per vehicle registration.

The proceeds go towards preserving the island's natural areas. You can purchase the permit online or at the following locations.

• Straddie Camping Reservierungsbüro
• Amity Point Campingplatz
• Campingplatz am Zylinderstrand
• Adder Rock Campingplatz

If you don't have a vehicle, there are local buses that run from Dunwich to Point Lookout approximately every 30 minutes.

WANT TO GO TO CAIRNS? READ: 21 BEST THINGS TO DO IN CAIRNS

The best things to do on Straddie

The privilege of living in South East Queensland for a year gave me the opportunity to visit Stradbroke Island a few times. Below I've written about some of the absolute best things to do on Stradbroke Island.

surfing

It's no secret that many people visit Straddie for some decent surfing. On the east side of the island there are several beaches with good surf breaks. The most popular surfing spot on Straddie is the northern tip of Main Beach, right next to Point Lookout Surf Club. The main beach is a huge white sand beach that stretches for 32 km. There are flags on the north side of the beach and it is patrolled by lifeguards in the summer months.

RELATED: Mount Beerwah Climb – Summit hike in the Glass House Mountains

Check out South Gorge Beach

Just off the north end of Main Beach, on the other side of Point Lookout Surf Club, is a small canyon with a private beach. In my opinion, this is one of the most beautiful corners of the island and is perfect for swimming and snorkeling.

Meet the local kangaroos

Kangaroos and wallabies are everywhere on North Stradbroke Island. They love hanging out near the cliffs under rubber trees. Due to increased tourism, most of Stradbroke's kangaroos are tame and allow you to approach them and sit next to them while they eat.

Where to Find Kangaroos on North Stradbroke Island

The best places to spot kangaroos on North Stradbroke Island are near Cylinder Headland Foreshore and along the North Gorge Walk. As you walk around the headlands you will see them grazing in the small patches right on the cliffs.

Swim with giant manta rays

Stradbroke Island's marine biodiversity is incredible. You can spot giant manta rays from the many high cliffs and viewpoints in the northeast of the island.

The best place to swim with manta rays on North Stradbroke Island is at Frenchman’s Beach. Although they are harder to spot from the beach, if you just want to observe from a distance, you can see the manta rays from the headland just above the southern end of the beach.

You can also often spot manta rays just offshore at South Gorge Beach. However, they usually don't stay here for too long, and if you want to take a longer look, I recommend trying your luck on the Frenchman's beach or on the headland.
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Walk around the North Gorge

The North Gorge Walk is one of Straddie's top activities. It's a fairly short walk around the headland, starting either at Headland Park or just off the main road opposite Oceanic Gelati.

The hike goes around the headland, through paths and boardwalks. The views of the gorge are spectacular, with turquoise water cascading into the sheer cliffs below.

Watch rays, sharks and turtles from the cliffs

During the North Gorge Walk you can often spot various sharks, large sea turtles and manta rays from the cliffs. On a calm, sunny day you will easily spot the dark shapes swimming freely below you. The best place to look for them is at the tip of the southern headland. Here you also have a view of Main Beach and Southern Gorge Beach.

Don't miss the Tangalooma wrecks on neighboring Moreton Island: read more

Drive on the beach

If you have a 4X4 or ATV, one of the best things to do on Stradbroke Island is to drive it to the beach. Although you'll need a permit as mentioned above, it's worth it, especially if you can split the cost within your group.

The largest sandy beach is at Main Beach, which stretches 20 miles (32 km) from north to south on the east side of Straddie. With a 4X4 you can reach even the most remote parts of this beach.

Spend the night camping

If you want to spend more than just a day on the island, your best bet is to sleep under the stars. Although free camping is not permitted anywhere on the island, there are several campsites with affordable rental sites.

One of the best campsites is Cylinder Beach Camp Ground. Here you will find shelter under eucalyptus trees just 10 m from the beach. Electric pitches and caravan pitches are also available. You can either book online or pay upon arrival, depending on location availability.

Swim in Brown Lake (Bunmel Lake)

Brown Lake is a swimming area best accessed from the port town of Dunwich. The lake retains its water due to an ancient accumulation of leaves and other organic material that lines the lake floor. The water is also a rich tea color, tinged brown from the tea trees that surround it. Many make the trip for a quick bath and to soak up the clean tea water.

The drive here takes about 15 minutes on paved and unpaved roads. It is also the only swimming lake on North Stradbroke Island. The smaller Blue Lake is protected by ancient Aboriginal laws prohibiting swimming.

Stop by the small local towns

Only 2,026 people live on North Stradbroke Island. When you arrive in the main port town of Dunwich, you'll immediately appreciate the small town atmosphere. There are a handful of small shops and cafes here, as well as a local rugby pitch just opposite the ferry terminal.

If you have time, Amity Point on the northwest corner of Straddie is also worth a visit. There are also only a few small fish and chip shops and a park. However, from the coast you have a beautiful view of the interior of Moreton Bay. There are also netted swimming areas here as there are undoubtedly many sharks that patrol this part of the shore.

Spot the whales without leaving the coast

Every year a huge migration of humpback whales occurs along the coast of Australia. One of the best places to watch whales is Stradbroke Island as it is relatively far from the mainland. The whales migrate north to warm coastal waters from late April to August to mate and give birth. You can also see them returning south from September to November.

The best place to watch whales on North Stradbroke Island is from the Southern Headland near the North Gorge Walk. Another great spot for whale watching is the sand at Frenchman’s Beach. We spotted dozens of whales without looking for them while chilling on the beach and walking through the North Gorge.

Stradbroke is one of my favorite destinations in southeast Queensland. There is no shortage of adventure and nature to explore. If you're looking for other epic islands in southeast Queensland, here's a full list of guides and blogs.

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