The ultimate travel guide to North Stradbroke Island (Minjerribah)

Brisbane in Queensland is a great stop for any backpacker travelling through Australia, but the best stops are around the city! Brisbane is flanked by two great islands that you have to visit, Moreton Island and North Stradbroke Island. Affectionately known as Straddie, this island is not to miss, with superb walks, beaches and views the whole way around. It is only a 25-minute ferry ride from the mainland, and it is readily accessible from Brisbane but feels worlds away from the busy city life. Sounds like something you would enjoy? Then look no further, as this guide to North Stradbroke Island has everything you need to know and more!

How to get to North Stradbroke Island:

Being an island, the only way to get to North Stradbroke Island is via boat or water taxi! All water taxis and boats leave from Cleveland, easily accessible via train from the Brisbane CBD.

How to get to Cleveland ferry terminal:

Public transport makes getting to the ferry terminal from Brisbane a breeze. Take the train to Cleveland station and get off at the last stop. From there, a free connecting bus (route 258) will take you to the terminal!

How to get to the island:

Two passenger ferry companies operate to North Stradbroke Island, Sealink Stradbroke Island and the Stradbroke Flyer. Both depart from the same Harbour in Cleveland, Toondah Harbour, but dock in different locations on the island. Both ferries take approx twenty-five minutes to complete the trip. 

Sealink:

The Sealink passenger ferry operates multiple times per day, seven days a week. The terminal is at 3 Emmett Drive Cleveland and easily accessible via public transport from Brisbane CBD. If you choose to drive your car to the terminal, there is free parking on the opposite side of the road, but please arrive early, as there are limited spots. 

Ticket prices (return with online booking discount)

Adults – $19 

Students – $16

Child (5-14 years) – $11.50

Concession (must present a valid card) – $9.50

Infants (0-4 years) – Free

Tickets are valid 365 days from purchase and can be used for travel at any time, on any day, subject to availability. If you cannot book tickets online, you can also purchase tickets in person at the Cleveland offices or Dunwich (on North Stradbroke Island) before boarding. If the offices are closed, there is no need to panic; you can purchase your tickets on board with either cash or EFTPOS. 

Furthermore, dogs are allowed onboard if they are clean, dry and wearing a muzzle. 

Stradbroke Flyer:

The Stradbroke Flyer also operates several times daily, including Christmas Day (with a restricted timetable). The ferry terminal is located on the corner of Middle Street and Emmett Drive in Cleveland in Toondah Harbour. 

Prices (return)

Adult – $21

Child – $11

Student (with ID) – $15

Pensioner (with valid card) – $10.50

Bringing your car to North Stradbroke Island:

If you plan to stay on North Stradbroke Island for a while, consider also taking your car. If that is the case, you will need to book it onto the Sealink ferry! Prices vary according to time, vehicle length, and width, but start as low as $70 one way! Book in advance to ensure you get a spot on your preferred boat! For bookings, follow the link.

How to get around Stradbroke Island:

Getting around North Stradbroke Island is incredibly easy with private and public transport. 

Stradbroke Island Buses:

The bus service on the island is impressive and easy to use. The buses meet both water taxies (Sealink and the Stradbroke Flyer) as they arrive in Dunwich and can transport you to Point Lookout, Amity Point and all the stops along the way. There are also services heading back to the ferry terminals, so it is an easy return. Buses go to and from Amity Point five times per day. For a list of all the stops, please click here. 

Please note that there are no bus services to Brown Lake or Blue Lake. However, Stradbroke Island Buses can organise a charter. Please get in touch with their office for more information. 

Tickets:

All tickets must be paid with cash or EFTPOS

Adults – $10 all-day travel, or $5 one way.

Child – $5 all-day travel, or $2.5 one way across the island.

Concession/student card holders – $5 all-day travel, or $2.5 one way across the island.

Taxi:

Only one taxi currently operates on Straddie, perfect for emergencies or when the bus doesn’t line up for you. More expensive than the bus, but it’s worth knowing about. To book or enquire, call +614 08 193 685.

Hire cars and scooters:

Staying on the island for a few days but not bringing your car across? Why not hire a car or scooter to zip around the island? There are a few companies to choose from, so shop for the best vehicle to suit your needs! Try looking at Stradbroke Island Car Rentals, Scooters On Straddie and Yura Banji Scooters. 

Private Shuttle:

If you are travelling with a larger group, why not book your private shuttle? Stradeasy is an 11-seater, air-conditioned mini-bus perfect for transporting large groups around the island. For more information and to book, click here.

What to bring on a day trip to North Stradbroke Island:

Water bottle

Swimmers and towel

Good walking shoes

Jumper

Camera

Small carry backpack/day pack

Coins for bus

When to visit North Stradbroke Island:

North Stradbroke Island is a sub-tropical island, meaning that it does not get overall cold, so perfect for the mid-winter escape from the south of Australia. The coldest and driest month is July, with an average temperature of 22 degrees Celcius. January is the warmest month, with an average temperature of 30 degrees Celcius. Furthermore, February should be avoided as it is the wettest month. We recommend April through November for optimal weather. 

Moreover, another great time to plan to visit is during Whale Watching Season! Between late May and early November each year, hundreds, if not thousands, of humpback whales swim from the tropical and subtropical waters of Fiji and Australia to the cold waters of Antarctica, and visa versa. They do this as they only feed in summer, in the Arctic, and give birth in the winter in the warmer tropical waters. They swim right past North Stradbroke Island and Moreton Island, so take binoculars with you on your trip! September and October are usually the peak season for whales in the area.

Where to stay on a budget:

If you are planning to stay a few nights on the island, and want to keep it within your travel budget, do not fear, as the island does have a hostel! One of the only establishments where you can book to stay for only one night, the North Stradbroke Island YHA is the perfect place for budget travellers. It is located in Point Lookout, next to the dive centre and the beach! For more information, check out the website.

Things to do on North Stradbroke Island:

North Gorge Walk:

This is an absolute must-do while on North Stradbroke Island! The 1.2km boardwalk has magnificent and breathtaking ocean views along the rocky outcrop of Point Lookout. Look out for some of the native wildlife on this walk – you may even be lucky to spot a kangaroo or koala. This walk finishes at Main Beach, so bring your swimmers with you!

Brown Lake (Lake Bummiera):

Just 3.5km from Dunwich, Brown Lake is a great place to chill and relax while on Straddie. The lake is pure rainwater but is tainted brown from the native tea trees surrounding the lake. A BBQ and picnic area is also available, making it the perfect spot for lunch or an early dinner. No public transport is available to access the lake, so you must walk, cycle or take a 4X4. Brown Lake, or Lake Bummiera, holds great significance for the Aboriginal people. Lake Bummiera is home to a colossal carpet snake called Gabul, and the traditional owners respect her spirit by always calling out and looking for signs before entering the lake.

Blue Lake:

Like Brown Lake, Blue Lake ( Lake Karbooraalso) holds considerable cultural importance for the Quandamooka People (the traditional owners). This stunning lake lies at the end of an exquisite 5.2km walk through the woodland. 

While it is an excellent place for a swim, the Traditional Owners do ask that you respect the significance of the lake by not swimming in it. 

Bike hire:

Looking to cycle around the island? The 20km road from Dunwich to Amity Point and Point Lookout is a great ride for experienced cyclists. Additionally, cycling around the townships is a great way to look around and keep your body moving during your stay. Bikes are available to hire from Straddie Super Sports, located in Dunwich.

Prices:

$10 an hour or $50 for the day, including helmets and bike locks!

Water sports:

Why not indulge in some great water sports activities while on the island? Not only does the Straddie Super Sports store hire out bikes, but they also hire out:

Kayaks – $15 per hour or $60 per day

Stand-up paddle boards (SUPS) – $10 an hour or $50 per day

Surfboards – $50 a day

Bodyboards – $15 a day

Beach umbrellas – $15 a day

Scuba diving off North Stradbroke Island:

The Manta Lodge & Scuba Centre is a must-visit for both courses and certified divers. If you are thinking about doing a dive course, why not do it in the stunning Moreton Bay; the lodge is also affiliated with the YHA (the only hostel on the island), making it even easier to stay a couple of days to do your course! With over 15 different dive sites, including the world-famous Manta Bommie (rated in the top 10 dive sites in Australia), why wouldn’t you dive here? A double dive (for certified divers) costs $175 per person (including gear hire), and the SSI Open Water Course costs $899 for three days. To find out more or to book, visit the website.

Whale Watching from the shore:

From June to November, you can go whale watching on shore on North Stradbroke Island! Point Lookout is the best spot on the island to see them, but anywhere along the Gorge Walk is also a fantastic position! Furthermore, the Whale Track is another great place to view the whales! Starting at the junction of Snapper St and Bambara St, the Whale Track is around 950 meters and has two raised whale-watching platforms. The track ends at the parklands above Deadman’s Beach. 

Dolphin spotting at Amity point Jetty:

At sunset on the Amity Point Jetty, you are likely to be greeted by wild dolphins! The dolphin usually come in around this time looking for food, so please remember not to feed or touch them! 

Take a walk along the Goompi Trail:

North Stradbroke Island has a rich Aboriginal History. The Quandamooka People are the traditional owners of Minjerribah (North Stradbroke Island), and on the Goompi Trail Walk, you learn some of their incredible history. With a local Aboriginal guide, take this historic one-hour walk on the foreshore of Dunwich, overlooking Moreton Bay, and learn about traditional hunting methods, medicines, bush tucker and much more. To book or to find out more, please call (07) 3821 0266.

Myora Springs:

Why not stop between Dunwich and Point Lookout or Amity Point at these stunning freshwater springs? Also known as Moongalba (sitting place), these springs have been running for thousands of years and are the perfect place to sit, think and enjoy the peace. During the wetter months, you can even go for a swim here!

Swim at the beach:

There is nothing better than swimming and relaxing at the beach. North Stradbroke Island has multiple great beaches to explore, with some popular ones being Main Beach and Cylinder Beach, and both are patrolled on weekends and during school holidays, so they are great for taking families. Home beach is also another great beach, and it is even dog-friendly. 

Four-wheel drive on North Stradbroke Island:

If you bring your car over and have experience and a permit, go for a four-wheel drive on Main Beach or Flinders Beach. Get incredible views and explore these great beaches, but make sure you are not driving one and a half hours on either side of high tide times (this is for safety and environmental reasons). 

Surf or learn to surf on Straddie:

Straddie has some fantastic surf beaches for both experienced and new surfers. Main beach and Cylinder Beach are both great spots for surfing. If you are new and want to learn to surf, check out the North Stradbroke Island Surf School.

Straddie Brewing Co:

Love fresh local beer, island food and ocean views? Then check out the brand-new Straddie Brewing Co Brewhouse and Taproom. Situated at 5 Junner Street Dunwich, it is the perfect place for lunch, dinner or an afternoon drink. Spread out over a three-story building, there are four main sections to check out – the sunset deck, taproom, brew deck and brewery! Why not even do a brewery tour or a Guided Island Beer Tour? To find out more, visit the website here.

North Stradbroke Island Museum on Minjerribah:

If you are interested in learning more about Aboriginal History, the British invasion and the colonisation of Australia, you must visit here. Find out the answers to some interesting questions about the island, including why there are over 8500 people buried in unmarked graves in Dunwich cemetery while at the museum! Admission is $5 for an adult and $3 for a child. Open Wednesday to Sunday from 10 am to 2 pm. 

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