Local Escapes

The Best Stradbroke Island Accommodation For Your Summer Trips

By Isabella Pesch
21st Sep 2023

Ahh Straddie, you’ve got a place in every Brisbaner’s heart. Whether it was a beach day-trip with your friends, the school holiday weekend getaway with the fam, or the much needed break from reality with an overnight stay, we all have treasured memories of the stunning destination that is Stradbroke Island. 

Only a 40-minute drive from the city to the ferry terminal, Straddie is hard to beat with its alluring views of crystal clear ocean, gorgeous beaches, and incredible outlooks. Figuring out whether to go is easy, you’re always going to say yes. Figuring out where to stay? That’s a bit more difficult. But that’s where we come in. So listen up, here are our top picks for your Stradbroke Island accommodation.

The Mirimar

Sleeps Up To 6

These cute little cottages in Amity Point are all full of beach shack vibes. There's several to choose from, all overlooking the water, but our pick for your Stradbroke Island accomodations would be Cottage 1, which has a gorgeous, boho interior and an outdoor shower and bath if all those dips in the ocean aren't enough for you.

There's also Cottage 2, a smaller, but no less cute stay, Cottage 3, which sleeps up to six,  and Bayview Cottage and Bay Breeze Cottage, both with a wooden deck right at the water's edge complete with deck chairs and a table for eating your fish and chips.

Norm’s Place And Waterfront House

Sleeps Up To 8

a stradbroke island accomodation with an outdoor table overlooking the beach

Wake up to the sound of the waves with this waterfront Stradbroke Island accomodation at Amity Point. Now when we say waterfront, we mean it. Just a couple of small steps from your bed to the ocean, with a private beach just down the garden path, it's impossible to not feel relaxed in a place like this.

The entire house sleeps 8, complete with bunk beds and queen beds across three bedrooms, so you can get the whole family together for your next island holiday. There's a ping pong table for when you get tired of the beach, and a full kitchen for those who like to cook on holidays (we know you're out there). Make sure not to miss out on Norm’s Place, book here

Straddie Chill

Sleeps Up To 12

a stradbroke island accomodation with a large deck overlooking the beach

Relaxation takes a luxurious form with this two-storey beach front wonderland, located near Stradbroke’s iconic Point Lookout. Sleeping up to 12 people and just a short stroll to the water, this may very well be the mother of all beach houses, complete with a Caribbean feel, Tropicana bar

With a spanning verandah, perfect for whale watching, there's enough space to ensure that everyone has the freedom to chill across five bedrooms, two baths and multiple entertaining and relaxing areas. if you’re in need of the ultimate getaway, book your Straddie Chill accommodation here

May’s 

Sleeps 2

a stradbroke island accomodation with an outdoor stone bath

Seaviews, toasty fireplaces and external baths—if that doesn’t sound like the perfect way to unwind, we don’t know what would. May’s is a peaceful oasis, located just a 10 minute drive from the beach, and nestled amongst the straddie bushland. This hidden gem is the ideal location for your next romantic getaway, and trust us, you’ll feel like you’re in another world. Click here to book in now. 

The Oyster Shack

Sleeps Up To 7

a stradbroke island accomodation with a covered deck

Take a step back in time with this renovated 1940s home, with an original 50s kitchen and a colourful interior, plus a massive deck perfect for entertaining the whole family. Don’t be surprised if you come across a couple of furry friends during your stay, koalas will often park up in the trees out the front and kangaroos are frequent visitors at the Oyster Shack. Just a short walk to the beach, this wonderful home is the perfect way to enjoy all that Amity Point and Straddie have to offer. Click here to book your next holiday.  

Beer And Bed

Sleeps 2

a stradbroke island accomodation with a bed and lounges in a hotel-style room

Embody your inner brewer and spend the night at this Queensland-first location. As if Straddie couldn’t get any better already, you could be staying above a working craft brewery the next time you visit, because who doesn’t want a pint of cold beer on arrival? With a private suite, a view of the bay and a tour of the brewery with tastings included, don’t wait to book your next boozy getaway, click here

Belles On Ballow 

Sleeps Up To 11

a stradbroke island accomodation with an outdoor pagola by the water

A bundle of five separate dwellings—four smaller cabins that sleep between four to seven and a larger holiday house that sleeps 11—Belles On Ballow has the goods no matter what size group you have. Though each of the accommodations has its own kitchen and chill out areas, there’s also a communal cabana bar, BBQ facilities, a pool and fire pits. Here’s where to book the Main Lodge, Wombat Lodge and Possum Lodge

Minjerribah Camping 

Camping on Straddie is a rite of passage, so if you’re new to the island, you’ll want to check out this Adder Rock campsite. Ranging from family cabins to unpowered tent sites, Minjerribah Camping has something for everyone, all the while sheltered by native padanus and tea tree forests. We recommend the island eco tents for a comfortable camping experience that won’t put your back out.  

Point Lookout Central Studio

Sleeps Up To 4 

a studio apartment

So you made it to the island—where to next? Book yourself in at this central studio and score yourself a solid home base for exploring Straddie. The newly renovated abode is in the heart of Point Lookout, and just a five minute stroll from the local shops and beaches. Not only are small pets welcome, but the owners will even set you up with two push bikes for zooming around the island streets. That’s a win-win in our book.  

The Islander

Sleeps Up To 3

inside an apartment with a round window

With a circle window straight out of Play School, a lagoon-style pool and a sprawling tennis court, this modern seaside apartment is perfect for a romantic island getaway. Complete with air conditioning and a small outdoor balcony, you can breathe in that fresh sea air while cooking up a storm on the communal barbecue.  

Yarrong Retreat 

Sleeps 2 

a deck overlooking greenery with outdoor chairs around the edge

Looking for a room with a view? Yarrong Retreat is a fully-contained luxury one bedroom apartment with stunning views out over the ocean. The handpicked coastal decor is sure to give you those vacay vibes, and the fire pit promises perfect evenings under clear and bright starry skies. The six foot fence and lush tropical garden is perfect for pets, so bring your doggo along for a stroll on Straddie’s off-leash beaches.  

Allure Stradbroke Resort 

Sleeps 2-10 

inside a small villa with a loft

Though tucked away in a quieter spot, Allure Resort is still ridiculously close to most attractions and boasts amazing views of the water. A short three-minute walk will take you to Home Beach, and a four-minute drive will get you to Gorge Walk at Point Lookout.

Make the most of your resort stay with a dip in the heated outdoor pool, or crack open a cold one on your private patio. With the entire resort made up of spacious individual villas and beach shacks, there’s an option for every group size at this Stradbroke Island accommodation, whether you need one bedroom or four.

Pier-A-Mer 

Sleeps 8 

inside a well decorated dining room

Now this one is giving all the boho beach vibes. Pier-a-Mer offers stunning views of Home Beach and a relaxing indoor-outdoor experience perfect for couples and families. Decked out with greenery, pottery, and low-lighting, a large master bedroom leads out to a small verandah, and a Balinese-style bathroom with louvers opens into the bushland.

The stay has a range of amazing facilities including a huge outdoor fire pit, a private patio, and an outdoor shower to wash your beach day away. Location wise, it’s a quick stroll to reach the nearest beach, and a seven-minute walk to Adder Rock. To top it off, your pooches are more than welcome with a fully screened off area for them to run around. We say just book your stay now

Beachwood House 

Sleeps 9

a balcony overlooking the ocean

If it’s a vacation with your besties that you’re after, look no further than the stunning Beachwood House. This airy, newly renovated two-storey house is the perfect getaway with friends with four bedrooms, a pool table, and a huge collection of DVDs and boardgames. Camp out on the deck with a cool one and soak up the Straddie air and sunshine.

Again, there’s not really anywhere you can’t walk to, with most beaches, restaurants and shops withing walking distance. For the animal lovers, book in the winter to see whales migrate across the ocean from your doorstep, or even meet the resident kangaroos. Book in here.

Mooloomba Palms 

Sleeps 8 

a window looking into a kitchen

Mooloomba Palms is the stylish, beach stay you’ve been dreaming of. The modern beach house honestly looks straight off the pages of a real estate magazine, with wicker furniture and neutral colours at every turn. Picture yourself cooking up a storm in the beautiful kitchen, then dining on the outdoor balcony with a glass of sparkling in hand.

The house has been recently renovated with family stays in mind, so your little ones will be perfectly comfortable here (wifi and a smart TV, what more could they want?). But of course it wouldn’t be a Straddie holiday without a beach trip. Walk down to one of the picturesque beaches nearby, then head over to one of the restaurants in the main hub area for a post-swim feed. Book this Stradbroke Island accommodation here.

If you're looking for things to do, check out our full guide to Stradbroke Island here.

Image credit: Airbnb, @lauragoodall, Booking.com

Editor's note: Urban List editors independently select and write about stuff we love and think you'll like too. Urban List has affiliate partnerships, and if you purchase something through the links in this article, we will earn a commission from those partners. 

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