A guide to North Stradbroke Island (Minjerribah)

Jemma FletcherBy Jemma Fletcher
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Discover the second-largest sand island in the world.

Endearingly referred to as ‘Straddie’ by the locals – and known as Minjerribah to its traditional owners, the Quandamooka people – North Stradbroke Island has buckets full of old-school Queensland holiday charm just waiting to be explored.

How to get to North Stradbroke Island

Around 30km east of Brisbane CBD (a 40-minute drive) is the coastal suburb of Cleveland and the gateway to North Stradbroke Island. If you’re travelling to Cleveland by train, a free connecting bus (route 258) takes you to Toondah Harbour.

Once tickets are pre-purchased online or at the ticket desk on arrival, visitors can catch the 25-minute passenger North Stradbroke Island ferry. It connects to a bus service on the other side at Dunwich, taking you to Point Lookout.

Alternatively, if you prefer to take your car with you, the 50-minute vehicle ferry is available, and the main roads on the island are sealed and easily accessible.

The entire trip takes around two hours from Brisbane CBD, but once you plonk your bare feet onto the shore it’ll be worth the journey.

A walkway by the sea surrounded by greenery on North Stradbroke Island.
The journey to North Stradbroke Island is well worth it. (Image: Kenny Smith)

Get to know North Stradbroke Island

There are three towns on the island: Dunwich, Amity, and Point Lookout. Each small town is located about 20km apart, and accessible via sealed roads. If you’re staying for a few days it’s worth visiting all three places, as they’re each so different.

In the historic town of Dunwich, you can visit Salt Water Murris Quandamooka Aboriginal Art Gallery or the North Stradbroke Island Historical Museum . Point Lookout is popular for its magnificent beaches and retail shops. Or for laid-back local charm, head to the small seaside village of Amity Point.

What to do on North Stradbroke Island

While you’re more than welcome to soak up the sun, sea, and sand on Straddie (it really is the perfect island for this), there is so much to see and do here that you’ll never be bored.

Meet the local marine life

Manta Lodge & Scuba Centre offers scuba diving trips from Friday to Tuesday. With experienced guides and over 15 dive sites to visit, this is popular all year round. Dive below and try to spot manta rays, leopard sharks in summer, and grey nurse sharks and humpback whales in winter. If you haven’t been certified as an open-water diver – no worries, you can sign up for the ‘Try Scuba Diving’ program .

North Stradbroke Island also has some extraordinary snorkelling sites and with no experience necessary, you can join a half-day guided snorkelling tour to see what lies beneath the water.

Take a dip in Brown Lake

Going for a dip in tea-coloured water may not sound appealing, but trust us when we say it’s an experience not to be missed.

The colour of the water is due to the tannin from the leaves of the surrounding paperbark and tea trees, yet it’s beautifully calm and refreshing. It’s the perfect spot for a quiet dip on a warm day. The best way to reach the lake, 3.5km outside of Dunwich, is by car.

Brown Lake at North Stradbroke Island.
Don’t be put off by the colour, a swim here is beautifully calm and refreshing. (Image: Tourism Australia)

Kayak to Peel Island

Brighten up your day with an early kayak tour. Setting off at 8:30am, a kayaking adventure with Straddie Kingfisher Tours takes you to Peel Island, stopping along the way to spot dugongs, turtles, and dolphins playing in the bay.

Near Peel Island is the Shipwreck of the Platypus which sank in 1930. From here, get your flippers and snorkels out to swim to the wreckage.

Cruise down sand dunes

Located close to Dunwich, sandboarding is a fun way to spend a day in Straddie. Kingfisher Tours provides the boards and the speed wax, so all you have to remember is your sunscreen and camera. You won’t want to miss those epic stacks.

Experience North Gorge Walk

With incredible ocean views and beautiful stretches of coastal bushland, North Gorge Walk is a must-do item on your visit to North Stradbroke Island.

Along the way, there are spectacular lookouts to stop at and enjoy the view, as well as endless stretches of golden, sandy beaches and opal waters.

The 1.5km walk (around 45 minutes) starts off as a dirt track before quickly turning into a boardwalk for the rest of the route. Some steps are included.

A couple watching the sunset over the ocean at North Gorge walk on North Stradbroke Island.
North Gorge Walk is a must-do. (Image: Kenny Smith)

Explore Deadman’s Beach

In 1902 a ship sunk in the Coral Sea just off Point Lookout. A skeleton and boot were uncovered on a nearby beach 50 years later – hence the name Deadman’s Beach .

Putting the unfortunate history aside, this beach is one of the prettiest spots in the whole of Straddie. If you sit on the top of the grassy hill, you can easily spot the annual migration of humpback whales. On the other end of the beach lay rock pools and a massive sand dune.

Where to eat on North Stradbroke Island

You may be surprised to hear there are a lot of food and drink spots on Straddie – over 35 places.

Across Dunwich, Point Lookout, and Amity Point – whether you choose a beach hotel or bistro, fruit barn or coffee cart, or fresh seafood or pizza joint – you won’t be disappointed. They’ve all got great reviews, but here are five extra special recommendations.

Bo Beans Coffee

Feeling peckish? Pop into Bo Beans Coffee for a caffeine hit and to suss out the treats cabinet. There’s a full range of vegan, gluten-free, and dairy-free cakes, slices, cookies, brownies, and muffins.

Where: 44 Sovereign Road, Amity Point

Bo hands out coffee at Bo Beans café on North Stradbroke Island, Brisbane.
Bo Beans Coffee has a full vegan, gluten-free, and dairy-free range. (Image: Bo Beans)

The Barn Cafe

Just a 10-minute walk from Dunwich Ferry Terminal, The Barn Cafe (formerly known as the Island Fruit Barn) sells a bit of everything.

Where: 16 Bingle Road, Dunwich

Oasis on Straddie

Following the mantra ‘you are what you eat’, Oasis on Straddie offers a menu made from scratch using locally sourced fresh produce where possible. Pop in for their daily gourmet salads, vegetable lasagne, or even a simple toastie and watermelon juice.

Where: 83 Dickson Way, Point Lookout

The calming décor at Oasis on Straddie cafe on North Stradbroke Island, Brisbane.
Oasis on Straddie offers a menu using locally sourced fresh produce. (Image: Oasis on Straddie)

Stradbroke Island Beach Hotel

For alfresco dining with sea views, head to the Manta Ray Bistro & Waves Bar at Stradbroke Island Beach Hotel . From sensational seafood platters to a traditional salad and schnitzel, there’s plenty to tempt your taste buds.

Where: 158-172 Dickson Way, Point Lookout

Bistro Seymour on Straddie

For a spot of lunch at the highest point of the island, head to Bistro Seymour at North Stradbroke Island Golf Club.

New to the island in 2022, this stunning spot overlooks Brown Lake and Moreton Bay and serves a variety of hearty classics including “gran’s recipes passed down". Customers can also be picked up from Dunwich in a shuttle bus if you book ahead.

Where: North Stradbroke Island Golf Club, Alfred Martin Way, Dunwich

Bistro Seymour on Straddie serves up delicious classics on North Stradbroke Island, Brisbane.
Eat at the highest point of the island, at North Stradbroke Island Golf Club. (Image: North Stradbroke Island Golf Club)

Where to stay on North Stradbroke Island

Find your North Stradbroke Island accommodation in the mixture of privately-owned beach shacks, self-contained apartments, resorts, and camp spots perched on the road into Point Lookout – an ideal base for day trips and island adventures.

Budget accommodation

Stradbroke Island YHA

One of the few properties on the island where you can book a one-night stay, is Stradbroke Island YHA . With a friendly and relaxed atmosphere, and both co-living and private rooms to choose from, it’s an ideal base to save some dollars.

YHA provides good budget accommodation on North Stradbroke Island
Stradbroke Island YHA has a friendly and relaxed atmosphere. (Image: YHA)

Straddie Island B&B

Sitting high among the neighbouring bushland is Straddie Island B&B , only a short stroll away from beaches and restaurants. Each private room includes a queen-sized bed and ensuite, as well as a covered patio arena and a complimentary bottle of wine on arrival.

Camping

Cylinder Beach Camping Ground

Right up at the top in Point Lookout sits Cylinder Beach . This shady location is more centered towards the hub of town. It’s extremely close to the shops and eateries, plus art galleries and markets. Set up the tent on the unpowered site then run to catch a wave.

Main Beach Camping Ground

If it’s beach camping you’re interested in, Main Beach in Dunwich is your ticket to sleeping just steps away from the water. With 4WD access only, and a dog-friendly campground, you’ll be guaranteed to make lifetime memories. Hot tip: don’t forget to bring your own toilet.

You can camp at Main Beach on North Stradbroke Island
Main Beach in Dunwich is your ticket to sleeping just steps away from the water. (Image: Brisbane Economic Development Agency)

Luxury accommodation

Allure Stradbroke Resort

Tucked into the foothills of Point Lookout is Allure Stradbroke Resort providing fully self-contained beach shacks and villas. Its deluxe villas have beautiful outdoor entertaining areas and on-site facilities include a pool, gym, and Straddie Eats Cafe.

The deluxe beach shack at Allure hotel on North Stradbroke Island, Brisbane.
Allure Stradbroke Resort’s deluxe villas have beautiful outdoor entertaining areas and on-site facilities. (Image: Allure)

Pandanus Palms Resort

For spacious villas with balconies offering views across Moreton Island and the Coral Sea, head to Pandanus Palms Resort – you’ll get a real taste of island life in style. There’s an onsite restaurant and cocktail bar, as well as a swimming pool, tennis court, and luxurious celebration packages.

A villa overlooking the ocean at Pandanus Palms Resort on North Stradbroke Island, Brisbane.A villa overlooking the ocean at Pandanus Palms Resort on North Stradbroke Island, Brisbane.
Pandanus Palms Resort offers views across Moreton Island and the Coral Sea. (Image: Allure)

Stradbroke Island Beach Hotel

This vibrant beachfront hotel with modern apartments and ocean-view rooms has its own al fresco restaurant – Manta Ray Bistro. Stradbroke Island Beach Hotel is spacious and modern with breezy open-plan living and modern conveniences.

If you’re planning the perfect Brisbane vacation, we’ve got you covered with our ultimate travel guide.

Jemma Fletcher
Based in sun-kissed Brisbane, Jemma Fletcher is an accomplished writer, editor and content manager. Armed with a Bachelor of Journalism from The University of Queensland, as well as over a decade of tourism marketing experience, Jemma now specialises in freelance travel writing and has a soft spot for the beauty of Queensland. Her expertise has been honed through her previous roles as Chief Editor of Queensland.com and WeekendNotes.com and she is the passionate creator of High Cup of Tea, an online directory celebrating Australia's finest high tea experiences. After growing up in the UK (hence her love for tea and scones) and a delightful chapter in Sydney, Jemma loves to explore quaint towns with a rich history. Also high on her weekend list is tasting the local cafe scene, enjoying charming farm stays with her young family and deciding where her next travel adventure will be (half of the fun is in the planning!)
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What it’s really like to stay on the world’s largest sand island

    Kassia ByrnesBy Kassia Byrnes
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    Exploring the world’s largest sand island starts with the perfect K’gari homebase.

    The morning light is still soft, but it’s already a perfect sunny day. We left our K’gari homebase at Kingfisher Bay Resort  with our guide, Peter Meyer, at 9 am to make the most of our time to explore all that the world’s largest sand island holds. The size of K’gari is hard to grasp until you arrive here. This is no sandbar. Stretching 120 kilometres, unique lakes, mangrove systems, rainforest, 75 Miles of beach, historic shipwrecks, small townships and even one of Queensland’s best bakeries are all hidden within its bounds.

    But first, one of the island’s most iconic sights: the pure silica sand and crystal clear waters of Lake McKenzie.

    Laying eyes on it for the first time, I’m finally able to confirm that the photos don’t lie. The sand is pure white, without the merest hint of yellow. The water fades from a light halo of aqua around the edges to a deeper, royal blue, the deeper it gets (not that it’s particularly deep, six metres at most). The surface remains surprisingly undisturbed, like a mirror.

    Arriving with our guide before 10 am means that no one else is around when we get here. Which means we have the pleasure of breaking the smooth surface with our own ripples as we enter. As a self-confessed wimp with chilly water temperatures, my fears are quickly assuaged. Even in the morning, the water stays around 23 degrees – perfect for lazing about all day. But we have more sights to see.

    Exploring K’gari

    ariel of in lake mckenzie on k'gari fraser island
    Relax in the warm waters of Lake McKenzie. (Image: Ayeisha Sheldon)

    This was the Personalised 4WD tour offered by Kingfisher Bay Resort, and my absolute top pick of experiences. Over the course of the day, we had the freedom to create our own bespoke itinerary (plus a provided picnic lunch along the way), with an expert guide who had plenty of stories and local expertise to give context to what we were looking at. From the history of the SS Maheno shipwreck, which survived the First World War only to be washed ashore by a cyclone in 1935, to a detailed description of how an island made of sand could sustain such diverse flora.

    If it’s your first time to K’gari, the Beauty Spots Tour is another great option. Departing daily from Kingfisher Bay Resort (you’ll start to notice a trend, as many of the tours do start and end here), an air-conditioned, 4WD bus takes guests to the island’s most iconic locations, including the best places to swim, like Lake McKenzie and Eli Creek. The latter offers a gentle current, perfect for riding with a blow-up tyre out towards the ocean.

    The next day, for a look at a completely different side of K’gari, I joined one of Kingfisher Bay Resort’s Immersive Ranger-guided tours to kayak through the mangroves of Dundonga Creek. This long, snake-like stretch of creek winds its way inland from the ocean outlet we entered by, at times too narrow for three kayaks to be side-by-side. Small insects buzz from leaf to leaf, while birds call overhead. Occasional bubbles indicate we’ve passed some fish that call this place home.

    kayak tour through the mangroves at k'gari island
    Learn about the island’s mangroves from your Ranger. (Image: Reuben Nutt/ TEQ)

    If kayaking isn’t for you – or if, like me, you simply want more – other ranger-led experiences include nature walks and a dedicated Junior Eco Ranger Program for kids ages five to 12 (these run every weekend, and daily over the peak December holidays). Just ask for a timetable of upcoming tours when you check in.

    While during whale season, Hervey Bay Whale Watch & Charters operates tours from the hotel’s jetty to get up close to the famous Humpback Highway of Hervey Bay, from 7 November to 31 May, attention turns to the Aqua Oasis Cruise . Departing from the resort every Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday for resort guests, adventure along the island’s remote western coast, pointing out wildlife like dolphins, turtles, flying fish and eagles along the way.

    The cruise drops anchor so guests can jump into the water using the boat’s equipment – from SUP boards to inflatable slides and jumping platforms. Then refuel with a provided lunch, of course.

    Unwind at sunset

    two people drinking cocktails at sunset bar, kingfisher bay resort
    Unwind at the Sunset Bar. (Image: Sean Scott)

    As much as days on K’gari can be filled with adventure, to me, the afternoons and evenings there are for unwinding. Sunsets on K’gari are absolutely unbelievable, with Kingfisher Bay on the west side being the best spot to catch the colours.

    The Sunset Bar , located at the start of the resort’s jetty and overlooking the beach, is the ultimate location for sundowners. Let chill beats wash over you as you sip on cool wines, beers and cocktails in a relaxed, friendly vibe. Personally, a cheese board was also absolutely called for. As the sun sinks, the sand, sea and horizon turn a vibrant shade of orange, with the jetty casting a dramatic shadow across the water.

    When the show is over, head back to the hotel for dinner at the Asian-fusion Dune restaurant, or the pub-style Sand + Wood. But if your appetite is still whetted for more lights and colours, the evening isn’t over yet.

    Settle into the Illumina stage for Return to Sky, an immersive light and sound show leading viewers on a captivating journey through K’gari’s stories and landscapes.

    Indulge and disconnect

    woman setting up massage room at kingfisher bay resort Island Day Spa
    Find bliss at Island Day Spa. (Image: Jessica Miocevich)

    Of course, there is a type of traveller who knows that balance is important, day or night. While Kingfisher Bay Resort offers more than one pool for guests to spend all day lounging by (they’ll even serve you food and drinks while you do it), you’ll find me at the Island Day Spa.

    The masseuses could match the magic hands of any big city spa, and I felt the warm welcome as I walked into the light, breezy reception. Choose from a range of botanical facials, beauty treatments and soothing massages using traditional techniques (obviously, I couldn’t go past a relaxing massage). All products used contain organic, native botanical ingredients with nutrient-rich plant extracts to soothe skin and mind. To really indulge, try out one of the packages, couples treatment or even a pre-wedding day offering.

    Getting there

    kingfisher bay resort 4wd tour driving passed ss maheno on k'gari island
    The world of K’gari awaits. (Image: Jessica Miocevich)

    Getting to K’gari is shockingly easy. Find daily flights into Hervey Bay from Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney. Kingfisher Bay Resort offers a shuttle bus between the airport, their headquarters in Hervey Bay and the ferry to take you to K’gari.