North Stradbroke Island, known by locals as ‘Straddie’, is an oasis of native bushland, coastal views and outdoor adventures just a short trip from Brisbane.
The Quandamooka people have looked after this Country for more than 21,000 years, and their stories are woven into every corner of the island. Here, you can explore golden sandy beaches, incredible coastal walks, and engage with the region’s rich Indigenous culture.
Outdoor fun on Straddie
North Stradbroke Island has long been a favourite getaway for nature lovers, thanks to its diverse landscape and abundance of outdoor activities including swimming, mountain biking, diving, surfing and bushwalking.
The North Gorge Walk is a great way to experience the island on foot. This 1.2 kilometre trail winds through the bush on a purpose-built boardwalk all the way to Point Lookout. When you reach the headland, you’ll be greeted by a panoramic view of the Pacific Ocean on one side, and coastal bushland on the other. Make sure to look closely at the water below, as hikers often spot sea turtles and bottle nose dolphins, as well as humpback whales during migration season.
Directly across from the entrance to North Gorge Walk is Fishes cafe, which serves locally-sourced food and delicious roasted coffee to help fuel your adventure.
The Minjerribah Panorama Coastal Walk is another must-do, conveniently connected to the North Gorge Walk as part of a broader trail network that lets visitors explore every crevice of the island. Along the way, you’ll find picnic areas and viewing points, as well as the Frenchmans Stairs that wind down to the beach. The Minjerribah Walk ends at the whale-watching platform overlooking Frenchmans Beach, which is one of the best places to watch the estimated 40,000 humpback whales migrating past the Redlands Coast from June to November each year.
To cool off after a morning of walking, head to Cylinder Beach. Known as one of the most picturesque beaches in Queensland, the crystal-clear waters and golden sand are truly a sight to behold. Beginner and experienced surfers will love catching waves to the shore, while the lush dunes and vegetation are great for exploring if you’d rather stay on dry land. There are also camping and holiday rental options nearby, so you can wake up to incredible views each day.
If you’re after an outdoor adventure that’s a bit more fast-paced, plan your island holiday so it lines up with the Straddie Salute. This triathlon festival takes place in May each year, and consists of a 750 metre swim, 15 kilometre cycle and 8.5 kilometre run. Of course, there are plenty of shorter events for first-time athletes, including an ocean swim, trail run, and shorter triathlon designed just for kids. Other festival highlights include the Salute to Straddie afterparty at the Point Lookout Bowls Club and the farewell lunch.
Manta Lodge & Scuba Centre is another must for thrill-seekers, as North Stradbroke Island’s only dive centre. Those with their SSI Open Water Diver Certification can choose from 15 dive sites, before heading out with a friendly guide to swim with an abundance of marine life including manta rays, turtles and sharks. Or, for those without certification, embark on a snorkelling tour of the water surrounding the island, where you can get up close and personal with amazing creatures in the Moreton Bay Marine Park, before enjoying morning or afternoon tea on the boat.
Cultural connection on Minjerribah
To discover the powerful Indigenous history of Stradbroke Island, make sure to book a Goompi Trail Experience. This fascinating tour is led by Quandamooka Elder Matt Burns, who shares stories of culture, family and Country. On the tour, you will experience live fire making and spear throwing demonstrations, as well as an in-depth guide to bush foods and traditional medicines. The day will wrap up with lunch on the rooftop of Straddie Brewing Co, where you will enjoy beautiful views of the island.
For even more history, head to the North Stradbroke Island Museum. This social history museum tells the story of the island’s 65,000 years of Indigenous culture and 200 years of British colonisation. Inside the main building, you will find several permanent exhibitions including the Aboriginal room, which celebrates the Quandamooka people, as well as the Pioneer Room and the Shipping Room, which focuses on the many shipwrecks in the waters off the island. You can also choose to join a guided historical walk on your visit, where you’ll be joined by a knowledgeable guide to learn more about the fascinating past of this iconic island.
Straddie Kingfisher Tours is a locally owned and operated tour service offering sandboarding, kayaking and eco experiences all around the island. On a 4WD Eco Tour, you will be picked up from your island accommodation before driving around Straddie in a comfortable 4WD to discover the hidden gems and Insta-worthy beaches that make it so special. The tour includes classic Aussie Damper at Brown Lake, a barbecue on Flinders Beach, and the chance to spot koalas at Amity Point.
Wine and dine on Stradbroke Island
Stradbroke Island may be small, but it’s packed full of popular places to eat and drink, whether you’re after a romantic date night or a light lunch with friends.
Straddie Brewing Co is the largest working island craft brewery in Queensland. At the three-storey brewhouse, the beer is made using pure water taken from the island’s ancient aquifer, resulting in brews that taste like island living. Try the Point Lookout Lager or Amity Pale Ale on the rooftop bar, order a takeaway pizza on the weekend, or sign up for a brewery tour and enjoy a behind-the-scenes glimpse of the beer-making process before savouring a tasting paddle of four of the core beers.
You can even opt for an in-flight tasting experience like no other. Hop onto a private plane and take to the skies as you soar above the island’s most iconic destinations, all while sipping on a refreshing beer, before landing at the brewhouse and continuing the adventure in the taproom. What more could you want?
To sample Straddie seafood directly from the source, head to The Prawn Shack. Found at Point Lookout, the shack sells prawns, fish, oysters, crabs and bugs sourced from local trawlers each day. The tiny turquoise shed is a charming lunch spot, where you can purchase pantry staples, condiments, and tuck into the famous prawn roll. Imagine fresh local bread, prawns, avocado, lettuce, dukkah and special house sauce. It’s no wonder the rolls fly out the door day after day.
For social dining at its best, Six Beaches is the place to go. Located on the shores of Point Lookout, this popular restaurant combines delicious dishes with specialty cocktails and breathtaking ocean views. Tuck into smoked fish rillettes, market fish with crispy potatoes, or halloumi sagnaki with pepper coulis, all paired with the best Australian drinks. If you book in the evening, you may even enjoy a front row seat to the island’s colourful sunset.
Getting to Stradbroke Island
There are two main ways to get to Stradbroke Island. If you’re bringing a car, the vehicle ferry is a 50-minute journey with comfortable air conditioning and a fully-licenced onboard cafe that will make you feel like you’re travelling in luxury.
Or, choose the passenger ferry for a quick 25-minute ride across the bay, where you’ll depart with easy access to the local bus service.
Both ferries leave from the SeaLink jetty in Cleveland, just a 40 minute drive from the Brisbane CBD.
If you enjoyed this feature on Stradbroke Island, check out some of the best things to do with kids in Brisbane, click here.
Rex flies to Brisbane. To learn more, head to their website or check out the route map below.
