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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Embrace that Sunday feeling at Hamilton Island‘s newest resort

    Australian TravellerBy Australian Traveller
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    This new, family-friendly Hamilton Island resort embraces life in the slow lane.

    White sand beaches, gentle waves and getting on ‘island time’ have always made Hamilton Island the first spot that comes to mind when thinking of Queensland’s Whitsundays. Always a place to recharge and relax, modern wellness travel here means so much more than a spa treatment or green juice. And a new kind of tropical island stay has now arrived on Hamilton Island.

    pool at The Sundays Hamilton Island
    Learn to slow down and rejuvinate. (Image: Kara Rosenlund)

    The Sundays reimagines laid-back luxury, combining boutique, beachfront accommodation with an encouragement to slow down and appreciate life’s simple pleasures so every day feels like Sunday.

    Laid-back luxury

    The Sundays is nestled into the picturesque gardens on the northern end of Catseye Beach. Despite a feeling of being away from it all, the resort is a conveniently short walk from Hamilton Island’s main resort centre and restaurants, so guests can have the best of both worlds.

    This new boutique stay is all about savouring the now. From complimentary sunrise yoga to moonlight movies for kids and a daily sundae ritual by the beachside pool, it makes a compelling case for doing less, better.

    Even the architecture is designed to harmonise with the surrounding tropical landscape, pairing soft curves with a grounded coastal style that shows off the panoramic Coral Sea views and adds to the hotel’s calm aesthetic.

    Plus, with direct flights to Hamilton Island from Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane in under two and a half hours, as well as complimentary hotel transfers from the airport or marina, getting here is as easy as the vacation itself.

    balcony view from room at The Sundays
    Enjoy fantastic views from your balcony or terrace. (Image: Sharyn Cairns)

    Perfectly designed rooms with amazing views

    Every small detail has been considered in the creation of the 59 guest rooms and suites, from in-room amenities by LEIF to walls adorned with custom artworks by First Nations andHungarian artist Tiarna Herczeg. There’s even a signature in-room scent by The Raconteur.

    Designed by Hamilton Island’s own designer, Carrie Williams, the result is relaxed Australian style using natural textures and soft hues to lull guests into a mellow state. This soothing palette runs throughout the resort, from its sun lounges to the shaded cabanas.

    Every room and suite has been built with a balcony or terrace, perfectly framing postcard-perfect views of the surrounding reef and lush greenery.

    inside a room at The Sundays
    Stylish rooms feature natural, soothing tones. (Image: Sharyn Cairns)

    Excellent activities and amenities

    Each day has been planned with a relaxed structure, so guests can get involved in as much or as little as they wish.

    Greet each day with morning yoga, pilates and island walks. Recharge with daily (and deliciously complimentary) sundaes by the pool. Wind down with moonlight movies twice a week and take advantage of family-focused features.

    Guests have complimentary access to a range of water sports – from stand-up paddle boards to catamarans – so they can get their blood pumping before relaxing by the resort pool.

    Or take a few extra steps to set up for a day on the sand without any crowds at the exclusive, guest-only beach. Settle in with a poolside aperitif for a front-row view of the stunning Catseye Bay.

    aerial shot of The Sundays pool and catseye beach
    Find picturesque Catseye Beach on your doorstep. (Image: Kara Rosenlund)

    Delectable dining

    What is rejuvenation if not a hearty choice of fresh, delectable dishes? That’s what guests will discover at The Sundays’s onsite restaurant, Catseye Pool Club .

    Open all day for hotel guests and lunch and dinner for island diners, this relaxed yet elevated menu was created by acclaimed culinary duo, Josh and Julie Niland. It celebrates that community feeling of mealtimes while championing seasonal Australian produce.

    “The vision behind [Catseye Pool Club] reflects so much of what I value – bringing people together to create memories in beautiful surroundings,” explains Josh.

    table spread including a lobster dish from Catseye Pool Club, The Sundays
    Enjoy classic Aussie meals with a twist at Catseye Pool Club. (Image: Kara Rosenlund)

    Based on elevated versions of classic Aussie family dinners, expect refined simplicity. Think roasted Sun Farms Sommerlad chicken with sides like chicken fat roast potatoes, gravy and tomato and grilled bread salad, or barbecued line-caught Bowen coral trout with garlic saltbush and Warrigal greens.

    A day spent by the pool can be complemented by a dedicated poolside menu, featuring wood-fired souvas. Don’t want to leave the room? Kick back and soak in the views with tasty treats delivered straight to your door, whether you’re after a full breakfast or late night snack.

    view from catseye pool club at The Sundays hamilton island
    Enjoy dinner and a view. (Image: Kara Rosenlund)

    Exploring the island

    While daily life at The Sundays is very much about the art of staying still, guests who seek more can explore the island with ease.

    Take a day trip to the striking Whitehaven Beach, or see the iconic Heart Reef from above on a helicopter tour. Pop over to Hamilton Island’s championship golf course for a hit, or explore over 12 kilometres of the island’s stunning nature and wildlife. Later, slow the pace back down with a visit to Spa wumurdaylin .

    Looking for more tasty treats? Visit one of the island’s restaurants – there are more than 20 to choose from.

    Hikers on passage peak hike on hamilton island
    Take on the beautiful hikes of Hamilton Island. (Image: Nick Leary)

    Book your stay at The Sundays through hamiltonisland.com.au.