Picture this: an undulating coastline of powder-white sand fringed by an azure ocean, vibrant seaside villages brimming with epic eats, and immersive cultural experiences that’ll give you goosebumps.
Luckily, this heavenly spot isn’t somewhere in the Med. Nestled off Redlands Coast, North Stradbroke Island/Minjerribah is just a 90-minute jaunt from Brisbane’s CBD. It’s the ultimate destination for a day trip or cheeky weekender—and nope, you don’t need a 4WD to explore this incredible region.
Escape The City With The Perfect Mini Escape
With so much beauty to uncover and explore, you’ll absolutely want to linger a little longer in Straddie, so turn your daycay into a staycay with a night or two at one of the island’s sweet digs.
Lovers of a craft tipple will want to check into Straddie Brewing Co’s beer’n’bed. Hidden on the rooftop of the three-storey brewery, bliss out in this light-filled retreat complete with a plush king bed and 180-degree views—there’s even beer soap in the bathroom.
Travelling with your family or a crew of your best travel buddies? Allure Stradbroke Resort with its four-bed villas and stacked facilities—heated pool, gym, onsite cafe and a playground—is for you. Whale Watch Ocean Beach Resort, nestled at Point Lookout, offers luxe oceanfront two and three-bedroom apartments complete with full kitchens, and are also excellent for bigger groups. If you’d rather a secluded escape, Discover Stradbroke Accommodation has everything from sprawling luxury homes to pet-friendly holiday rentals.
Pitch a tent at one of Minjerribah Camping’s beachfront sites. Those with a 4WD can go off-grid on the foreshore of Flinders Beach and Main Beach (southern end), or if you’re more of a glamper, you can slumber in chic eco island tents at Cylinder Beach, Adder Rock, and Bradbury’s Beach.
Explore Nature’s Playground
Minjerribah is a place of incredible natural beauty—from hidden beaches to bountiful bushland—and it’s packed with bucket list-worthy adventures to match.
Snorkel alongside fish, manta rays, dolphins and dugongs in the glass-like water, or if you want to explore the island’s marine park, book a dive session with Manta Lodge and Scuba Centre.
Pro tip: check out Manta Bommie, one of the country's best dive sites, with endangered nurse sharks residing there in winter. Surfers or those looking to learn can carve up the waves with the crew at North Stradbroke Island Surf School.
Prefer to surf the sand instead? Climb the towering dunes known locally as the Straddie desert and get your adrenaline pumping with a boogie board down.
Get your calf burn on at Naree Budjong Djara National Park—which means ‘My Mother Earth’ to the Quandamooka people. A labyrinth of freshwater lakes, wildflowers and dreamy woodlands, there are six walking tracks to check out. Keep your eyes peeled for the adorable locals like roos, golden wallabies and koalas.
If you’re only coming for the day and want to cover as much ground as possible, Straddie Kingfisher Tours offers six-hour 4WD explorations that include tucking into a traditional damper at Brown Lake (Bummiera), beach swims and animal spotting.
Immerse Yourself In Incredible Cultural Experiences
Walk in the footsteps of the island’s Traditional Custodians, the Quandamooka People, with Yura Tours. Choose between a 90-minute walking tour (suitable for all ages), right through to the four-hour driving tour that involves bush tucker, creation stories and culminates in a seafood beach picnic.
Art-lovers will want to pay a visit to Delvene Cockatoo-Collins’ Dunwich studio. Admire her artworks, ceramics, sculptures and homewares, or book in for an intimate experience—beach walks, workshop tours and full-day tours with the Cockatoo-Collins family.
While you’re in Dunwich, explore the North Stradbroke Island Historical Museum where you can learn about the history of Minjerribah, peruse exhibitions, have a yarn with a local and grab a souvenir from the museum’s shop.
Discover A Foodie’s Paradise
Come to Straddie for the adventure and breathtaking nature, and stay for the epic culinary offerings. Start your day at Bo Beans Coffee nestled within the sweet seaside village of Amity Point. Slinging smooth cups of Moreton Bay Coffee Co., flaky pastries and freshly baked bread, this sun-soaked cafe is brimming with good vibes—and they’re dog-friendly too.
At lunch, fill your basket with goodies from Straddie Market Co. and throw a towel down on the sand at Point Lookout. During winter, keep your eyes peeled for migrating whales frolicking in the big blue front yard.
You can’t come to the island without smashing a prawn roll at The Prawn Shack, where local fishermen drop off fresh-from-the-trawler seafood daily. Treat yo’self to a tray of oysters and some Moreton Bay bugs too.
Grab sunset cocktails (the Deadman’s Galley is a must order) and dinner on the deck at Six Beaches Fish Grill & Bar. Watch the sky turn burnt orange and purple, listen to the waves crash against the sand, all while tucking into crispy fish tacos, rigatoni alla vodka and char-grilled rib fillet with pepper jus.
Cheers with a couple of frozen margaritas alongside the locals at Oasis on Straddie, then grab a takeaway wood-fired pizza for a beachside bite.
Kick on for a glass of vino and a cheeky cheese board at St Stradbroke in Dunwich. The family-run wine bar and bottle shop are passionate about unique wine, and are only too happy to help you pick out the perfect drop.
Round out your gastronomic adventure with a sweet treat from Whale Tail Gelati and Coffee Bar. Enjoy a slice of homemade cake or a scoop of one of their tasty gelato flavours like Black Hawaii (sorbet with coconut water and cocoa beans), salted caramel or zingy papaya and lime—it tastes like summer.
How To Get There
Passenger ferries and vehicle barges regularly depart Toondah Harbour in Cleveland, arriving in Dunwich. The passenger ferry is about a 25-minute ride with the choice of two ferry operators, SeaLink and Straddie Flyer, while the vehicle barge is about a 45-minute trip.
Want to start planning your North Stradbroke Island getaway now? Head here for all the info you’ll need.
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Images: Supplied.