Stradbroke Island Queensland – Travel Guide
Located on Brisbane’s eastern coast, North Stradbroke Island (”Straddie” to the familiar) is another of Australia’s natrual treasures and a perfect escape destination. Something of a secret, it is only in recent years that Stradbroke Island has started to show up on the tourism and property radar.
Travel to Straddie through the bayside village of Cleveland will take you approximately 50 minutes on the vehicle ferry. Cleveland is only a thirty minute drive from Brisbane International Airport or the centre of Brisbane, and an drive from the Gold Coast. The boat ride across Moreton Bay is the first step that makes visiting Stradbroke Island such a worthwhile trip.
Stradbroke Island covers 27,530 hectares, which means it is the world’s second largest sand island. The elongated sand island shields much of the southern part of Moreton Bay and the smaller islands from the ocean swells. It’s beaches are able to be accessed by four-wheel drive, bicycle or on foot, with a number of good camp sites located all the way down Main Beach, and fabulous views are visible from almost everywhere on Straddie.
The 35 kilometres of white sandy beaches fringing the island’s eastern side runs from Point Lookout in the north to Jumpin Pin in the south. From the Point lookout headland, the towering jungle of the Gold Coast can be clearly visible, being a constant reminder of the stark contrast to the slower pace of Straddie.
North Stradbroke (Minjerriba to the indigenous Noonuccal tribe) was the home of renowned Aboriginal poet Kath Walker, or Oodgeroo Noonuccal. There is a great deal of Aboriginal and European history surrounding Dunwich where water taxis and barges land.
The waters of Moreton Bay swish against the shores of the island’s western fishing towns. The lack of agriculture and the filtering effects of the sand produces clean water that sea-life, and particularly Stradbroke Rock Oysters thrive in.
North Stradbroke attracts 4WDers, fishermen, surfies and beach-lovers to its expansive lengths of beach and rugged granite headlands, and the Island also offers a wide range of accommodation, restaurants, cafes and holiday attractions. With a wonderful diversity of experiences available and spectacular spots to discover, North Stradbroke is a great holiday place for families, couples and adventure-seekers alike. The ideal way to see the Island is by Four Wheel Drive, but there are many stunning coastal walks and a mountain bike and whale watching map are an easier and more environmentally sound alternative.
Point Lookout is a popular tourist hub, and only a thirty kilometre drive on a sealed road from Dunwich. The North Gorge Headland is forty metres above sea level and recognised as a leading land-based whale-watch site throughout between May and November, and world-class surfing and fishing throughout the year.
Point Lookout’s unspoilt beaches and headlands are perfect for swimming, surfing and fishing all year round. Whales, dolphins, turtles and manta rays are regularly spotted from the spectacular North Gorge at the northern part of the island. The island has been listed as one of the world’s most ecologically important wetlands and has several freshwater lakes, waterways and lagoons that are accessible by 4WD or on a tour with one of Straddie’s friendly tour operators.
One of the best experiences of the island is the fresh seafood directly from local fishermen. Just look for signs at Amity Point and Point Lookout which direct you to their homes and the freshest, most delicious catch-of-the-day around. For those who would rather the work be done for them, Straddie’s restaurants and cafes all make use of this amazing resource on the menu.
“The Point” offers a number of alfresco style cafes, a bakery, chemist, post office, newsagent, corner store and supermarket. The island also has a bus service linking all 3 towns to the ferries and water taxis.
North Stradbroke Island is the ultimate paradise for the many enthusiasts who visit each year. On a good day it’s possible to surf right past the pub, along the evocatively named Cylinders Beach, on waves that peel dreamily for hundreds of metres. Stick ten bucks in the back pocket of your boardies and you can drop in for a quick beer on your way back around -you may even bump into world ranked surfer and local Bede Durbidge! Straddie also boasts what is perhaps the last truly old-school surf shop in the country, that makes it’s business selling surf gear rather than fashion.
North Stradbroke Island is the ultimate paradise for the many enthusiasts who visit each year. On a good day it’s possible to surf right past the pub, along the evocatively named Cylinders Beach, on waves that peel dreamily for hundreds of metres. Stick ten bucks in the back pocket of your boardies and drop~you can drop in for a beer~quick beer on your way back around -you may even bump into world ranked surfer and local Bede Durbidge! Stradbroke~Straddie boasts~also boasts what is perhaps the last truly old-school surf shop in the country, that focusses on~makes it’s business selling surf~surfing gear~equipment rather than fashion.
The jewels in Stradbroke’s~the Straddie’s crown is Point Lookout and the natural wonder of the North Gorge Walk, along with the surf, the choice of beaches, all sheltered in various~differing~different winds, the whale watching, and the spectacular coastal walk around the gorges. If you are looking for Stradbroke Island Accommodation, make sure you visit: http://www.discoverstradbroke.com.au/
http://mickeygsblog.com/myblog/
Related posts:
- Areas Throughout Majorca Villas along with Majorca Apartments Around Majorca Spain Quite a few tourists begin their own Majorca vacation without...
- Samui the best destination for family holiday Koh Samui is the third biggest island of Thailand after...
- Lively Trips to Corfu Corfu is an idylic island offering spectacular rugged cliffs on...
- African & Kenyan Safaris Experience Of A...
Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.