For anyone thinking about a Queensland island getaway, there’s no need to go to the far north of the state; there’s also a great southern option—North Stradbroke Island. Also known simply as ‘Straddie’, the island is located less than 40 km from the centre of Brisbane, near enough to the city, Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast for anything from a day trip to an overnight or longer stay.
Why go to North Stradbroke?
While some may think mainly of water activities when they think of an island, North Stradbroke offers a range of activities to suit a wide variety of tastes. Yes, there are plenty of water-based things to do, including swimming, boating, fishing, surfing, snorkelling and scuba diving. But there’s plenty to do on land as well. If you like walking, there are beaches, bush and towns to explore. You can also go 4-wheel driving or cycling, play bowls, take a tour or relax with some yoga, just to name a few options.
Wildlife is abundant on and around the island. Birdwatching opportunities are plentiful, and the island is also home to many mammals, including koalas, kangaroos, echidnas and bandicoots. In the surrounding waters are dolphins and dugong, and from May to November humpback whales pass by on their annual migration.
Getting there
Access to North Stradbroke Island is by water aboard either a ferry, water taxi or private boat. Water taxis and ferries run 365 days a year between Cleveland on the mainland and Dunwich on the island’s west coast. Water taxis cater for passengers only, while the ferry can carry vehicles, trailers and caravans as well as walk-on passengers. The car ferry costs between $60-$102 each way. If you are travelling on the ferry without a vehicle, the ferry will cost $16 return for adults, $10 for children 5 – 14, $14 for students, and $8 for concession cardholders.
Island towns
North Stradbroke has three towns. Dunwich is the largest and, as already mentioned, is where the island’s ferry terminal is located. As well as shops, eateries and other services, there is also a museum and a gallery that visitors can check out. Point Lookout, located in the northeast, has plenty of cafes, restaurants and shops and is a popular area for surfing. Amity Point is the smallest of the towns and can be found at the northern end of the island’s west coast. The surrounding waters are generally calm, making it a great place to see dolphins and waterbirds.
Travelling on Straddie
Sealed roads connect the three towns and there are bus and taxi services available, so whether or not you bring your own car, getting around Straddie is easy. If you want to drive on the island’s 4WD tracks or beach, you’ll first need to pick up a Vehicle Access Permit in Dunwich.
Camping
If you’re planning to stay on North Stradbroke, there are plenty of accommodation options. Choices include resorts, cabins, B&Bs and holiday rentals, but it’s the range of camping options that we’re going to take a closer look at here. Whether you prefer remote beach camping with no facilities, staying in a tent or caravan in a campground, or something a little less rough in the form of glamping, Straddie offers it all.
There are eight campgrounds on the island, all managed by Minjerribah Camping, a team comprising the island’s indigenous Quandamooka people and others with experience in the nature-based tourism industry. All campgrounds have beach frontage but the camping options vary from remote camping through to glamping tents and cabins. Glamping tent features generally include a bed, linen, fridge, table and chairs, but they share amenities with other campers. Cabins are usually self-contained, with bathroom, air conditioning, kitchen area and TV included.
At the other end of the scale, there are two remote campgrounds on the island, at Flinders Beach and Main Beach, where you can camp among the dunes. Access is by 4WD only. Campfires are allowed in these areas for cooking, and you can also use a generator if you need power. Dogs are welcome here too but must be kept on a leash at all times. There are, however, two off-leash areas on the island; one at Home Beach, where dogs can run on the sand and have a swim, and the other at Dunwich.
The other six campgrounds are located close to the island’s towns. Pets, fires and generators are not permitted at any of these campgrounds.
The following is a summary of the island’s camping areas.
click the image to enlarge
Straddies Amazing Locations
Now let’s take a look at each campground in some more detail.
Adam’s Beach
Located on the western side of the island at Dunwich, Adam’s Beach campground faces Moreton Bay and is ideal for those who prefer the bay’s calm waters. It’s a small, shady campground with 37 sites that are suitable for caravans, campervans, camper trailers and tents. There are also glamping options available if you’d like a little more luxury. You can choose from both powered and unpowered sites, with some right beside the water. Toilets and showers are provided, as are washing machines.
The campground is within walking distance of the town’s facilities and the island’s ferry terminal, so you can bring your car, carry your gear in, or even bring your own boat and anchor in front of the campground. Fires are not permitted, but you can use gas cooking appliances.
No. of campsites: 37
Power available: Yes
Suitable for: Caravans, campervans, camper trailers, tents
Cabins/glamping tents available: Yes
Amenities: Toilets, showers, laundry
Pets permitted: No
Fires permitted: No
Adder Rock
Adder Rock is a large campground located on North Stradbroke’s northern coast, near the community of Point Lookout. A shady campground sheltered from the wind by tea tree and pandanus, it has more than 100 unpowered tent sites as well as a small number of unpowered sites specifically for vans and camper trailers. There are also 26 powered sites. In addition, this is one of the locations on the island that is set up for those who don’t want to rough it too much. With just under 30 cabins, glamping tents and eco tents on offer, this campground caters for all levels of camping.
Park facilities include BBQ and picnic areas and a playground, in addition to the amenities provided. Free wi-fi is also available. With a swimming beach at the front of the campground that is patrolled during Christmas school holiday times, as well as surf beaches, scuba centre and bowls club nearby, there’s plenty to do within easy reach. And with a general store next to the campground you shouldn’t run short of supplies.
No. of campsites: 146
Power available: Yes
Suitable for: Caravans, campervans, camper trailers, tents
Cabins/glamping tents available: Yes
Amenities: Toilets, showers, laundry, dishwashing area
Pets permitted: No
Fires permitted: No
Amity Point
Amity Point is the third of North Stradbroke’s campgrounds where you can enjoy natural surrounds without roughing it. Larger than Adder Beach campground, it has 13 cabins and eco shacks to give guests some of the comforts of home. There are also 140+ unpowered tent sites and a good number of powered and unpowered van sites. You can choose from either shady or sunny locations.
Being large, this campground is great for groups. There are two undercover camp kitchens that include picnic tables and electric BBQs. Other features include free wi-fi and playground equipment. No fires or pets are allowed. Amity Point is located on the island’s northwestern corner and offers some spectacular sunsets and tranquil waters that are ideal for boating and swimming. Dolphins, pelicans and other wildlife visit the area.
No. of campsites: 194
Power available: Yes
Suitable for: Caravans, campervans, camper trailers, tents
Cabins/glamping tents available: Yes
Amenities: Toilets, showers, laundry, dishwashing area
Pets permitted: No
Fires permitted: No
Bradburys Beach
The second of the campgrounds at Dunwich, Bradburys Beach, like Adder Point, is one of North Stradbroke’s smaller campgrounds. It’s a fairly basic camping area with a mixture of powered and unpowered sites, with something suitable for everything from tents to caravans. Fifteen of the unpowered tent sites are unallocated and situated in an area surrounded by trees and away from the powered sites. Toilets, showers and picnic areas are provided. Fires aren’t permitted so you’ll need gas cooking equipment or, alternatively, you can head to one of Dunwich’s eateries if you’d like a hot meal. Being on the island’s sheltered western side Bradburys Beach is good for boating and fishing, and if you don’t want to take a car to the island, it’s just 1 km from the ferry terminal.
No. of campsites: 54
Power available: Yes
Suitable for: Caravans, campervans, camper trailers, tents
Cabins/glamping tents available: No
Amenities: Toilets, showers, laundry
Pets permitted: No
Fires permitted: No
Cylinder Beach
Cylinder Beach is situated on the island’s north coast and is the closest camping ground to the township of Point Lookout. While the campground can accommodate caravans, the majority of the sites are unpowered, with just eight powered sites. There’s plenty of shade throughout the park, with the vegetation also providing protection from the wind. BBQs and picnic areas are available for campers’ use. There is also a playground for the kids and free wi-fi, in addition to two amenities blocks.
Cylinder Beach is popular for surfing so is ideal for those wanting an active beach holiday. There is also a swimming area that is patrolled during the Christmas and September school holidays and Easter. Point Lookout’s eateries and shops are within easy reach if you’d like to eat out or need to stock up on supplies.
No. of campsites: 68
Power available: Yes
Suitable for: Caravans, campervans, camper trailers, tents
Cabins/glamping tents available: No
Amenities: Toilets, showers, laundry, dishwashing area
Pets permitted: No
Fires permitted: No
Flinders Beach
Flinders Beach is one of North Stradbroke’s remote camping grounds and encompasses twelve separate camping areas that stretch along the western half of the island’s north coast. Here, you can camp amongst the sand dunes with the beach at your front door. Access to these camping areas is by 4WD only, via the beach (which you can drive on outside high tide times) or bush tracks. You’ll need a Vehicle Access Permit to drive in these areas.
As you’d probably expect, there’s no power provided at these beach camping zones but you can take your own generator. Toilets are located at some of the access points to Flinders Beach, or you can buy a pass to the amenities block at Adder Rock campground for $10 per campsite per night. Unlike most of the other campgrounds, you’re welcome to take your dog to Flinders Beach, but it must be kept on a leash. Cooking fires are permitted but must be extinguished after cooking is complete. A section of the beach is patrolled during summer school holidays, providing a safe swimming area.
No. of campsites: 200
Power available: No
Suitable for: Tents, 4WDs, off-road campers
Cabins/glamping tents available: No
Amenities: Toilets only
Pets permitted: Yes
Fires permitted: Yes
Home Beach
The smallest of North Stradbroke’s campgrounds, Home Beach has just 24 campsites, with a fairly even split of powered and unpowered sites. Everything from caravans to tents is catered for. Like many of the island’s other parks, it has showers and toilets, a washing machine and a sink for washing dishes, together with a BBQ and picnic area. Surrounded by plenty of trees and other vegetation, the area is protected from the wind, and sites may be shaded or sunny depending on the time of day. The north-facing beach is just a short walk away through the trees. The campground is located on the western edge of Point Lookout township, so if you want to grab a meal or coffee or you need some campsite supplies you won’t need to venture too far.
No. of campsites: 24
Power available: Yes
Suitable for: Caravans, campervans, camper trailers, tents
Cabins/glamping tents available: No
Amenities: Toilets, showers, laundry, dishwashing area
Pets permitted: No
Fires permitted: No
Main Beach
If you really want to get away to a remote area, Main Beach could be the place for you. Even more remote than Flinders Beach, Main Beach’s 15 camping areas extend down the southern half of the island’s east coast, starting about 17 km south of Point Lookout. There are 200 campsites on offer, which can only be accessed by 4WD via the beach. Again, you’ll need a Vehicle Access Permit to drive to the campsites. No facilities are provided, not even toilets, so you’ll need to be pretty much self-sufficient. If you’d like to have a shower though, you can purchase an Amenities Pass for the Adder Rock amenities.
As with Flinders Beach, dogs are welcome but need to be on a leash and you can run a generator and light a fire to cook. Main Beach is popular for surfing and beach fishing. For swimming, parts of the beach are patrolled at Easter and during September and Christmas school holidays.
No. of campsites: 200
Power available: No
Suitable for: Tents, 4WDs, off-road campers
Cabins/glamping tents available: No
Amenities: None
Pets permitted: Yes
Fires permitted: Yes
Download the North Stradbroke PDF
We have compiled all of the above information, along with 1 click search for North Straddie in the FRC Web Directory and links too all of the campgrounds on the island. You can download the PDF for free on by clicking on the icon below:
Download the PDF
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