NORTH STRADBROKE ISLAND
North Stradbroke Island makes up a large part of the eastern boundary of Moreton Bay in South East Queensland, Australia. A long island, which along with South Stradbroke Island, stretches from opposite Brisbane to the Gold Coast. Its bueatiful long sandy beaches are greeted by the rolling waves of the Pacific Ocean. The Island is a popular destination of tourists and holiday makers, although the only access is by boat - passenger ferry - vehicle barge.
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North Stradbroke or Straddie, as it is affectionately called, was settled at least 20,000 years ago by the original inhabitants. Its Indigenous name is Minjerribah . Many aboriginal tribes visited Straddie and shell middens are still a visible reminder of their plentiful seafood feasts.
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There are three villages on Straddie: Dunwich, Point Lookout and Amity Point. Permanent population is about 3,000, but at holiday times … J
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Straddie is about 38km long and 11km wide and it is the second largest sand island in the world. North Stradbroke and South Stradbroke used to be one big island but a storm in 1896 sliced through the island creating the Jumpinpin Channel that divided the north from southern part of the island.
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Dutch, Spanish, Portuguese and Chinese visited the coast before James Cook came and gave Point Lookout its name.
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The Southern Humpback whale migration (July – November) passes North Stradbroke and Point Lookout is the best location on land to see these mighty travellers .
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The wetlands of North Stradbroke are listed under RAMSAR. The Ramsar Convention (The Convention on Wetlands of International Importance, especially as Waterforwl Habitat) is an international treaty for the conservation and sustainable utilization of wetlands (to stem the progressive encroachment on and loss of wetlands now and in the future, recognizing the fundamental ecological functions of wetlands and their economic, cultural, scientific, and recreational value. It is named after the town of Ramsar in Iran, the location of the first convention in 1971.
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As to accommodation, there is something for everyone. From camping and cabins to waterfront accommodation, from holiday houses to Bed & Breakfasts.
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And of course there are picnic spots with tables, BBQ facilities and toilets.
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Whether you are interested in fishing, surfing, swimming, bushwalking, backpacking, snorkeling, 4x4 driving, photographing or just relaxing with a little bit of culture thrown in, Straddie is worth a visit.
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A characteristic of North Stradbroke, like that of Coochimudlo, Russell, Macleay, Lamb and Karragarra islands, is the friendly, laid-back community lifestyle, which is so different from the hustle and bustle you find on the mainland.
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Dunwich
Dunwich is the entry point, the point where passenger ferries (25 minutes) and vehicular barges (45 minutes) arrive from Toondah Harbour, Cleveland. Dunwich is Queensland’s second oldest town (the oldest is what is today known as Redcliffe).
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Heritage-listed convict causeway, Dunwich Public Hall, Dunwich Cemetary (recording deaths from shipwrecks, typhus epidemic in 1850 and a memorial to unmarked graves of inmates from the Benevolent Asylum), Historical Museum, Minjerribah Moorgumpin Elders, Aboriginal and Islander Housing Co-operative - just to name a few – are worth visiting.
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Point Lookout
Point Lookout looks over sandy beaches. It is a real tourist dream with shops and eateries and depending on the winds, board riders catch the best waves at Cylinder and Deadmans beaches (north) or at Frenchmans and Main beaches (south).
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Amity Point
A tranquil, quiet place with a caravan park and a general store (you can find everything there). There is also a jetty, a boat ramp and a fully netted pool. Amity is the place to go for a holiday, when you don’t really fancy doing anything - maybe just throwing a line into the bay famous for its fishing.