North Stradbroke Island Local Information

North Stradbroke Island is one of the largest sand islands in the world, with a long coastline of beautiful, unspoilt white beaches perfect for swimming, surfing, fishing or just relaxing. Most of the Island is bushland, and if you take a bushwalk on Straddie you are likely to come across koalas, wallabies, wildflowers and lots of birdlife. The three small townships of Dunwich, Amity Point and Point Lookout each have a low-key, village atmosphere.

It takes about two hours to get to North Stradbroke Island from the centre of Brisbane or the Gold Coast, and with a subtropical climate, it is a perfect holiday destination year round.

Getting to Straddie

Ferries and water taxis travel between Cleveland and North Stradbroke Island regularly. Check out www.flyer.com.au or stradbrokeferries.com.au for the latest timetable information.

You can catch the train from Brisbane to Cleveland, hop onto a free bus which travels between the train station and the ferry terminal, to connect with the Stradbroke Flyer. Or you can leave your car in the secure parking compound just next to the ferry terminal.

If you are bringing your car to the Island, barge services are frequent. Stradbroke Ferries and Sea Stradbroke both run from Toondah Harbour in Cleveland.

You can save $10 on a return barge trip with Stradbroke Ferries if booked through the Dolphin Holiday Accommodation Centre.

When you arrive at Straddie, the local bus meets most water taxi services, and can take you from the ferry terminal at Dunwich to Amity Point or Point Lookout (phone 07 3409 7151). If you need a taxi when you are on Straddie, call Straddie Cab Service on 07 3409 9800, or Yellow Cabs on 0408 193 685.

Essentials

EFTPOS is available at a number of locations around the Island, including the post offices at Dunwich, Amity and Point Lookout. The post offices also offer a GIRO Bank service. ATMs can be found at the Point Lookout Bowling Club, Straddie Pub and the Amity Community Club. There are small supermarkets, newsagents and bakeries at all three townships, and petrol is also available.

Activities

Fishing

You can throw in a line from any of Straddie's beaches, or from the jetty at Amity Point. For more adventure, Mal Starkey offers deep sea fishing charters from Point Lookout, phone 07 3409 8353 for details.

If you have no luck with the rod, there are several fresh seafood vendors in Point Lookout and Amity. Look for their signs around the townships.

4 Wheel Driving and Adventure Tours

Exploring the island in a four wheel drive can be great fun. If you are bringing your own car and plan to explore the beaches, you'll need to pick up a permit from Stradbroke Island Tourism in Dunwich. If you don't have a 4WD, a variety of tours are also available, offering fishing, swimming, kayaking, sand dune surfing, whale watching and barbecues on the beach.

Markets

The local markets are held at the Point Lookout Community Hall on East Coast Rd. You'll find a range of local produce, from jams and chutneys to arts and crafts, t-shirts to native plants. You can snack on a toasted sandwich, have a neck and shoulder rub, or get some fishingadvice from a local. During holiday periods, the markets are on every Sunday morning, at other times check the local noticeboards.

Museum

The North Stradbroke Island Historical Museum in Welsby St, Dunwich is open from 10am to 2pm on Wednesdays and Saturdays. Here you'll find a range of information on the history of the Island, including Aboriginal history, shipwrecks and Island pioneers. The Historical Society produces a number of interesting publications on Straddie's history which are available from the Museum . Phone 07 3409 9699.

Restaurants

Scuba, Snorkelling, Surfing, Sports

Cylinder and Main Beaches at Point Lookout are ideal family beaches - there are picnic facilities nearby and they are patrolled by the Surf Lifesavers. Main Beach is popular with surfers and bodysurfers. South Gorge has great snorkelling when the weather allows - be very careful of current and rips. Also at Point Lookout are Deadman's and Frenchman's beaches, unpatrolled but quieter and sometimes good for snorkelling and swimming. There are pleasant, sandy beaches at Amity and Dunwich, suitable for swimming and fishing.

Stradbroke Island Scuba Centre is located at 1 East Coast Rd, Point Lookout. They offer daily boat dives, with the opportunity to spot manta-rays, dolphins, whales, eagle rays, leopard sharks, turtles and much more. Phone 07 3409 8888. Manta rays are around during the warmer months, usually until the water drops to below 22 degress. In winter the rare and endangered grey nurse sharks move in and create a fabulous dive opportunity. One of the Australia's best dive locations.

There are a number of surfing teachers available in Point Lookout, offering board hire and coaching to all skill levels, including beginners. Have a look at the noticeboards at the post office or shops for contact details.

Dunwich Sports Hire has bikes, golf clubs, fishing rods, surf skis, body boards and beach umbrellas for hire. Find them in Bingle Rd, Dunwich (next door to Island Fruit Barn), or call 07 3409 9252.

North Stradbroke Island Golf Club, and the Point Lookout Bowls Club both welcome visitors. The golf course has nine holes, but 18 tees for variety on the back nine. Competitions are on Tuesday, Friday and Saturdays. Phone the Golf Club on 07 3409 9999, or the Bowls Club on 07 3409 8182.

Tennis courts are available for hire at the Point Lookout Community Centre and at the Whales Way Resort in Cumming Parade, Point Lookout. Tennis night is Wednesday 7pm, all are welcome. A gym is open to casual visitors at the Whales Way Resort, where aerobics and yoga classes are also available. Contact Trevor Peterson on 0418 152 510 for further information.

Sailing

Stradbroke Island Tourism and the Historical Museum in Dunwich both offer brochures of guided walks around Straddie. Some of the most popular walks are around the gorge at Point Lookout, or around the inland freshwater Blue Lake or Brown Lake. If you have brought your dog to the Island, you can walk it on Home Beach.

Whale Watching

From June to November, large numbers of humpback whales pass close by Point Lookout heading north to warmer waters, making it one of the best sites in Australia to view the whales. There are a number of whale watching platforms around the Point, or you can simply watch from the cliff tops. Dolphins, turtles and manta rays are also often seen. There are commercial whale watching operations - contact Stradbroke Island Tourism for details.

Yoga and Massage

Julie Harris specialises in sports, remedial, deep tissue therapy and reflexology. Appointments are necessary, phone 0419 022 661.

There are a variety of yoga lessons available. Check out the local noticeboards at the shops and post offices for details.

Yoga is available in Dunwich and Point Lookout's community hall, contact Suzi Aboud for details.

More Tourist Information

For further information on tourist activities, contact Stradbroke Island Tourism, Junner St, Dunwich, 200 metres from the ferry terminal. They are open seven days a week. Phone 07 3409 9555.
Email: stradbroketourism@redland.net.au