A holiday on Stradbroke Island can easily become the trip of a lifetime, especially with the wide variety of accommodation on offer. Not only can you stay in traditional style motels but you can find much better, individually styled, bungalow and house accommodation. This is perfect for families or large groups of friends looking to unwind or even to celebrate a wedding. If you think this is a little tame then you can even spend a few nights out four wheel driving a and camping under the stars with the sound of the surf in your ears!

Bungalow Accommodation

Some of the best accommodation on North Stradbroke Island is the bungalow. A bit smaller than a standard house, these very individual dwellings allow you to have a very customised stay. It can also save you money if you are going with a group as you can have more than one family stay in the same dwelling depending on the size.

This type of accommodation also gives you a good base for exploring the island. So if you are there for whale watching you can relax in the day, go to the beach and head up to Point Lookout for an afternoon picnic and some whale watching. It also means you can come back after a big day and still enjoy a hot shower, much like the larger houses available on the island.

House Accommodation

The house accommodation on the island is similar to the bungalows but just bigger. While this isn’t perfect for everyone it is ideal for larger families or big groups looking for an affordable escape to paradise. In fact, in a lot of cases this will be even better than your family home and you may not want to leave!

Most of the houses available for rent during peak and off peak seasons are aimed at the holiday market so they will be easily accessible. It also means you can easily entertain your family and friends on the holiday and enjoy a BBQ together. You can still head out four wheel driving but you won’t have to rough it!

Hotel Accommodation

Standard hotel accommodation is also available on the island and is more suited to short term visits. While the convenience of this type of accommodation cannot be overlooked it is still often cheaper to go with a house or bungalow. If you have arrived on the island without many plans then you might want to spend a night or two in a hotel before organising a more fun bungalow or house to stay in.

Camping Accommodation

Even if you do choose one of the above options you might want to have at least one night out camping. It is a good idea to have a bungalow rented and then those that want to go camping can out for a night. This makes it less cumbersome for those in your family or group of friends that do not want to rough it on holidays. This is perfect for kids as there is nothing better than enjoying a camp-fire and listening to the surf. Remember, you have to supply your own fire wood though and four wheel driving charges apply for environmental protection.

Stradbroke Island Accommodation Review is a post from: Things To Do On Stradbroke Island

Stradbroke Island is an amazing and popular tourist destination just north of Brisbane in Queensland, Australia. It has on offer both the wonders of the ocean as well as relaxation on land. Accommodation on North Stradbroke island is great and usually entails staying in a rented cabin that is similar to taking your own house on holiday!

With the sand mining industry on the island being wound down the island is also becoming a perfect spot for nature lovers. The large sand island will soon feature a massive national park which will encompass all of the old sand mining areas as well as the current national parks.

Getting There

Getting to Stradbroke is very easy and it is only an hour or two from Brisbane, the capital city of Queensland, Australia. You can take the passenger and vehicle ferries (there are a few to choose) from Cleveland through to Dunwich on North Stradbroke Island. The cost is not too high and you can take a car, 4WD or even a bus if you needed to. Be aware that the costs for vehicles is higher than just going on the ferry without a car.

The trip is quite pleasant and you will not be going out into open, rough seas. This is because Cleveland (the departure point) and the destination of Dunwich will be protected in Moreton bay. So don’t worry if you get a little seasick as it is a short and steady journey.

Where to Stay

Staying on the island gives you a lot of variety and opportunity on your holiday. The best option is to rent a cabin on Stradbroke Island especially if you have a family or a large group of friends. This is the most economical and comfortable way to stay on the island. Even if you have a cabin you might want to spend a night camping on the beach which is easy to do on the island.

Be aware that you will have to book the camping sites and this can be done with park rangers in advance or when you need it. While there is a lot of accommodation on the island be sure you book everything in advance especially in busy seasons. The are is quite popular for surfing, fishing, whale watching and four wheel driving so you never know when it will get busy!

Family Friendly Activities

The island has lots of family friendly activities including swimming, bush walking and other out in nature adventures. It is also a good idea to come between June and October sop you and the children can witness the whales passing by. They can be easily viewed on land where you can have a picnic at Lookout Point and do some whale watching at the same time.

Adventure Activities

The island has fantastic fishing on offer and this can be done on the beaches and other areas from land or simply on a charter boat (or your own boat if you have one). It is also a popular surf spot with some great breaks off point lookout and other areas to enjoy. The island also offers the usual water sport activities such as jet skis, kayaks and much much more!

A Visitor’s Guide to Stradbroke Island is a post from: Things To Do On Stradbroke Island

Stradbroke Island is one of the last true Australian holiday destinations where you can enjoy a great family holiday. It has so much to offer including close proximity to the Great Barrier Reef, Fishing, swimming as well as numerous other adventures. Depending on your budget you can also choose from a wide variety of accommodation on North Stradbroke Island but the rented cabins are definitely best for families or groups.

Beaches on Stradbroke

The beaches on Straddie are long and not crowded at all and great for a bit of four wheel driving if you are up for it. You can easily fish from the beach and target whiting, bream and other popular fish species. Not only is it great for swimming but there are some awesome breaks for the surfers among you.

The main beaches on the island are easily accessible by car or close by to the main centres. You can also easily camp on the beaches to enjoy a night out under the stars with the sound of the surf in your ears. Be aware though that you must use pre-established camping sites as this helps avoid any undue environmental degradation.

Driving on Stradbroke

Stradbroke Island is popular for four wheel driving and it is easy to hire a vehicle once you are on the island. This lets you (and you family) get out on the beaches as well as exploring the amazing national parks on offer. You also have to be aware when planning to drive to be careful on sand dunes as they can be easily damaged. It is best to try and stick to pre-existing tracks and roads and not to forge your own path around the island.

Back to Nature

Straddie has some amazing national parks the best of which is Blue Lake national park. The lake is absolutely amazing and well worth a drive and a swim. You can also enjoy some great walking around the island or take a relaxing bike ride.

Stradbroke will soon be getting an even bigger national park with Blue Lake and Brown Lake national parks being replaced by a larger more encompassing national park. This is because the sand mining operations that have been present on the island are being phased out and much of the island being declared a national park to protect the unique nature of the island.

Stradbroke Island is also one of the few places that you can watch whales from the land. Head to Straddie in whale watching season and you can have a picnic on Point Lookout and watch the humpbacks make their annual journey. The best time for whale watching is generally June to October each year and are easily viewed from land.

Plentiful Accommodation

There are a lot of options for staying on Stradbroke Island the best of which is the rented cabins. These are mostly like family homes that you can rent for as long as you need them. This makes them perfect for the entire family or a large group of friends. Otherwise there are hotels as well as the option to camp on the island.

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Stradbroke Island is famous for its fantastic fishing and we have some of the best spots on offer. Being an Island, you will want to try both from land (usually from the beaches) and from the boats. Land fishing is much more accessible but getting a charter boat will give you a lot more fish to target.

Because of the popularity of fishing on the island you will need to be organised if you want to charter some boats. It is best to book in advance so you don’t have to worry about finding a charter when your holiday begins. If you are bringing your own fishing equipment be sure to do a thorough check before you leave and replace any worn out fishing line.

Fishing From Land on Stradbroke Island

When fishing from land on North Stradbroke island you will mainly be targeting bream, whiting, flathead and tailor. These types of species can be caught with either bait or lures depending on your own preferences. Fishing from land won’t require heavy lines or long rods and you should check to make sure you have a fishing license as these are applicable in most places.

Equipment

Equipment will vary depending on the area you are fishing in. If you want to try from the beaches a longer beach rod is in order and a suitable reel. For off jetties etc. you will only need a standard short rod to make the most of your situation. Smaller hooks are best for targeting bream, flathead and whiting which are common from on land and from the beach.

Where to Go

Anywhere around the island is suitable for fish but you should stay up to date on fish movements. A good way to do this is to ask a local and if you see a number of locals out fishing at the same time it will mean the fish are biting. While locals won’t give away their favourite spots they can give you some hints and at least a few good areas to get you started.

The usual rules of coastal fishing apply and you should also try around the jetties, places with a good amount of sea grass and areas in the surf. Watch out for sea birds taking a dive into the water as this will be an indicator that there are fish where they are diving. It is a good idea to get hold of some burly as this will help attract fish to where you are.

Time of Year

Any time of year is good for fishing off land on Stradbroke Island and it mostly depends on the weather. Check weather reports on the days you plan to go fishing as storms and other bad weather can affect how good your catch will be. Otherwise most fish will be able to be caught all year round which is why the fishing on Straddie is such great fun.

Fishing from a Boat on Stradbroke Island

If you get a bit tired of fishing from land you will want to head out on a boat. If you have your own boat then you can even travel to the island or the Moreton bay area in your own good time. However, there are numerous boat hire and charter places on the island that will usually have a space available.

Equipment

Well, a boat is essential for getting out on the water and even if you do not have your own you can just get a charter boat. This also saves you the hassle of worrying about fishing equipment as most boat hire places will also have their own fishing gear for you to use. This can save a lot of space packing particularly if you are travelling with a family and have limited space for luggage.

Where to Go

It is also a good idea to use the charter boat’s equipment as they will be more tailored to catching the fish in the area. This will also include bait and any other equipment you might need. Having a charter boat means you can head off from your Stradbroke Island accommodation and not have to know where the best spots are.

Time of Year

The same as fishing on land, you will get excellent fishing all year round on Stradbroke Island. Consult with your charter hire before heading out about weather and if the fish are biting. They will usually find you something to catch around the island.

Stradbroke Island’s Best Fishing Spots is a post from: Things To Do On Stradbroke Island

North Stradbroke Island is very close to Brisbane and offers a great chance to relax. While you may like to run around on the beach for a bit there are great opportunities to get out on the water. If you just want to get out onto the water there are cruises and charter boats or you could get in a spot of fishing as well.

The beautiful waters around Stradbroke Island are also home to a great variety of creatures including majestic whales! If you head there at the right time of year you can do some whale watching either on or off shore. If boats are not your style then you could choose from windsurfing, kayaking or one of the other amazing water sports on offer.

Fishing by Boat on Stradbroke

You can’t go to Straddie without getting a line wet. There is a great variety of fish to catch from both onshore and off. Getting on a boat is a better idea as it is a holiday so you want to target bigger fish offshore. Moreton Bay and beyond offers a great chance to catch a great variety of fish like:

• Bream, Whiting, Flathead and Tailor from the beaches.
• Snapper, Jew Fish, Sweetlip and Parrot Fish are available in Moreton Bay.
• Fishing  from a boat gives you access to the beach varieties as well.

You can also head to the island in August and be a part of the Straddie Fishing Classic Competition which always boasts some big catches. Whatever you are looking for in a fishing adventure, you will find it around Stradbroke Island.

Sightseeing on Stradbroke

If fishing isn’t your thing then having a boat ride around Straddie is a great day trip on your holiday. The beautiful area around Stradbroke (namely Moreton Bay) offers relatively calm waters. So even if you don’t have your sea legs you can enjoy a day out on the water. The island itself is a beautiful sight and must be seen from the perspective of a boat ride. This offers great views of the beaches and other natural features of the island.

Whale Watching Adventures

The last two weeks of June through to the first two weeks of July are the best time for Whale watching on Stradbroke Island. While you can watch from point lookouts, you can also get out on the water for a bit of a closer look. It is a great idea to enjoy both if you are lucky enough to visit Straddie during whale watching season.

Other Water Craft for Fun

There are the usual water crafts to enjoy around Stradbroke Island and you can rent most so you don’t have to bring your own. If you are after something fast and furious, then jet skis are definitely for you. If you are looking for something more laid back then a sea kayak is probably more your style.

So if you are off to Stradbroke Island then be sure not to miss the opportunity to get out onto the water. Whether it is fishing, a sightseeing tour, whale watching or just some water sports, the Island has it all.

Boating Adventures Around Stradbroke Island is a post from: Things To Do On Stradbroke Island

All of us are becoming more and more concerned with the environment even when we are on holidays. Having an eco-friendly trip to Stradbroke Island does not mean you cannot do everything you planned to do. You can still go camping, four wheel driving as well as bring your dogs along it just means you have to be more aware of the environment we are travelling through.

North Stradbroke Island, being a sand island, can be impacted through overuse, four wheel driving and other human activity. It doesn’t mean anything has to stop but following some good rules won’t disrupt your holidays and will mean you are leaving the environment clean and healthy for fellow visitors to enjoy. Here are some great tips for enjoying your island getaway while teaching the kids to be kind to their environment:

Safe Camping

You may see camping as pretty neutral in terms of environmental impact but while you are staying in delicate areas you might do more damage then you think. You can avoid damaging the environment by only staying in pre-established camp sites and avoiding making a brand new site to stay in. This way you can still enjoy a relaxing camp-fire and stay on the sand without damaging sand dunes and other flora.

Better Driving

Stradbroke Island council has wisely introduced small tariffs built into the cost of hiring a four wheel drive. These go towards sand dune regeneration as well as help raise awareness of driving safely around Straddie. The best way to protect the environment is much like the recommendation for camping – use pre-existing tracks and don’t blaze your own trail through the dunes.

Dunes may seem just to be made of sand but they are held together by some fragile plants. Driving a four wheel drive over them can disrupt as well as kill off these plants. In the long term this will result in dunes being eroded and eventually disappearing.

Walking Trails

Walking trails should also be followed and (even for safety reasons) you should not wander off into bushland if you do not know the area. Walking off trails is the main reason bush walkers can become lost or disoriented. Using a pre-existing walking trail means you are only using a track that has already been used and plants no longer grow on it so you are not doing any further damage.

No Littering

The best rule for travelling anywhere is to take any litter with you or place into provided bins. Many camping areas and more remote spots may not have bins so take everything you want to throw away with you. Just be sure to take a bag with you and watch the kids don’t drop anything to spoil the beautiful scenery!

Watch Your Pets

Pets are fine in most places on Stradbroke Island but you have to be careful when having them on the island. Dogs are natural hunters and you don’t want them killing any wildlife during your stay. The best way to ensure your pets are well behaved is to keep an eye on them and have them on a leash.

How to Have an Eco Friendly Stradbroke Holiday is a post from: Things To Do On Stradbroke Island

Australia itself is just a great big island so its residents and visitors do enjoy visiting the smaller islands that surround it. Most of Australia’s spectacular islands are located in Queensland which is also home to the Great Barrier Reef, the main reason the islands are so amazing! We have picked four fantastic islands that are definitely worth a visit but when coming to Australia you will want to see as many as possible as they all have something great to offer.

Four of the most magnificent Islands in Australia:

• NorthStradbroke Island
• Magnetic Island
• Fraser Island
• Kangaroo Island

All four of these islands have something slightly different to offer the visitor but all of them feature some amazing scenery and wildlife. It is a good idea to plan your trips in advance and do not regret missing out on some of the world’s most unique islands!

Stradbroke Island

‘Straddie’ is one of Australia’s best tourist destinations and popular for whale watching, weddings as well as four wheel drive adventures. The area offers some of Australia’s best fishing with charter boats available as well as fishing gear hire. The island is home to the Blue Lake National Park which will be expanded in the coming years as the sand mining industry is gradually phased out.

Stradbroke Island is close by to both the Gold Coast as well as Brisbane making it easily accessible by boat or by plane. Accommodation on the island is fantastic and ranges from simple camping at regular camp-sites to amazing bungalow style accommodation which can be shared with family or friends. It is one of Australia’s premier sites for ‘destination weddings’ as well.

Magnetic Island

Magnetic Island sits of Townsville in North Queensland right in amongst the Great Barrier Reef. It is accessible via ferry from the main land and was named when Captain Cook had problems with magnetic navigation equipment due to rocks on the island. You can have a lot of fun hiring small cars and driving around the small amount of roads on the island.

Magnetic island offers a unique chance to get close to the great barrier reef as well as enjoy an amazing and not overly developed island. There is a great wildlife sanctuary there and the island is great for a longer stay or just for a day trip. Trips to the island take less than an hour and are done in relative comfort.

Fraser Island

This is the largest sand island in the world and is world heritage listed because of its flora, fauna and unique nature. It has around 100 freshwater lakes and beaches and sand as far as you could wish for! A great place for four wheel drive adventures and to see the unique rainforests growing on the sand dunes!

Kangaroo Island

Kangaroo island is south Australia is home to amazing wild life and is an amazingly untouched piece of wilderness. It is 155km long and has a diverse amount of scenery and wildlife. Ranging from sea lions right through to koalas it is an amazing place for both overseas and interstate visitors.

Best Islands to Visit In Australia is a post from: Things To Do On Stradbroke Island

Blue Lake national park is located on North Stradbroke Island in Queensland, Australia. The island itself is home to some fabulous beaches, small towns and villages as well as some great flora and fauna. While Blue Lake is the original National Park on the island it is now being incorporated into a much larger park called Naree Budjong Djara National Park.

Stradbroke Island is currently home to a large sand mining operation that has been fast tracked for closure. This is great news for the island as approximately 50% of the island (by 2021) will now be declared a National Park. This will be further increased as the island is protected by having 75% of the land declared a national park by 2026!

Where Is It?

Stradbroke Island is only a short distance away from Brisbane (being the closest city) and can be reached easily via boat. It is on the very southern tip of the Great Barrier reef that reaches right up to north Queensland. There are ferries so if you own a four wheel drive you can take it along with you or hire a vehicle when you reach the island.

You can fly in to Stradbroke island via Dunwich Airfield located outside the major town on the island. Be sure to book ahead for your accommodation if you are not planning on doing a bit of camping. The island is conveniently located nearby to Brisbane as well as other islands and coastal towns that can be worked in to your trip.

What Can You Do?

Blue Lake National Park offers an amazing lake where you can get in some great swimming as well as bush walking. With the delicate environment to be considered at all time you can still take your four wheel drive through and follow the tracks around the park. If you are thinking of taking dogs with you be aware that there will be some restrictions on bringing animals into a national park even though they are fine on most other parts of the island.

What Can You See?

Blue Lake National park is home to some great flora and fauna and it is worth a walk around to enjoy. Many of Australia’s (and Straddie’s) animals are quite shy though and may also be nocturnal. Because of this you may not see all of the animals. The true reason to visit this national park is the beautiful scenery and the amazing ‘blue’ lake.

There is also another smaller lake on the island called ‘Brown Lake’ which also gets its name from its obvious colouration. There is not shortage of beautiful beaches to see and water to enjoy as you trek around Stradbroke Island.

What Animals Live There?

Stradbroke Island is home to about 18 different types of land mammals which include the Swamp Wallaby, Echidna, Bandicoot and Brush Tailed Possum. You can also see the hump back whales as they pass the island and it is a great reason to visit. There are also plenty of bottle nosed dolphins and some spotted dolphins around the island.

National Parks on Stradbroke Island is a post from: Things To Do On Stradbroke Island

A trip to Stradbroke Island would not be complete without a good old fashioned Australian fishing adventure. Because of its location, North Stradbroke Island offers some fantastic fishing from off the beach or out on a charter boat. Even if you are not a seasoned fisherman you can still enjoy the fun and the excitement of hauling in a big catch.

The island offers salt water fishing ranging from beach fishing through to more exciting fishing offshore. Some areas are great for fishing offshore and you can target bream and even snapper sometimes, even though these are rare. Offshore fishing is your best bet as you can get into more varieties of fish but beware of any fishing exclusion zones (although this won’t be a problem if you are being guided on a charter boat).

Hiring Equipment

There are many options for you to hire your own fishing gear if you do not want to bring along your own or do not have the right equipment for the environment. Most of the boat hire places will also offer fishing gear hire and it’s better than opting for a cheap set up. This will also mean you can garner some advice from the rental place that will be familiar with Straddie conditions.

If you opt for a charter boat, then they will usually provide you with the proper equipment as well as the right tips and rig set up for catching the big fish. This is a great move as they will know the best spots to get one on your line as quickly as possible. Remember, locals know best so do not hesitate to ask a local fisherman what they recommend if you run into one (although they will never give away their best secrets!)

Bringing Your Own Equipment

Bringing your own equipment to Stradbroke Island will be fine although be aware that you will have to bring it with all of your other luggage. If you have the right saltwater fishing set ups and tackle then go right ahead. Although be sure to check your current equipment before you go and replace your fishing line as needed.

If you are not fishing regularly, nylon fishing line can become brittle when it is stored away in the shed so if in doubt throw it out and restring your reels. It is also a good idea to check the best types of lures and other tackle that work on the fish in the area. The usual salt water suspects prevail such as bream, trevally, jewfish, whiting and mackeral. This will of course depend on where you are fishing from.

Fishing From Land

With lots of sandy beaches, it is worth exploring the breaks and you might come across a nice school of fish. If you see a lot of locals out fishing then grab the rod and bait and join them. Being a small community, word will spread fast if the fish are biting. However, do not be dismayed if it is quiet as there are lots of fish and lots of spots from land to try to catch them.

Try fishing from onshore from Dunwich for whiting and bream and you will have a great time of it. Again, check with where you are buying bait or tackle from on the island for recommended set ups as they will be in tune with the best gear to use. Be sure to tell them if you are planning to fish from onshore as they might even give you a good spot to head to if you have not explored the area yet.

Getting Out On the Water

Getting out on the boat will allow you fish Flat Rock, Boat Rock and the Group, all areas well known for great fishing for Snapper as well as Spanish mackerel. Just charter a boat to get started with your fishing. A guided fishing tour will be better if you are unfamiliar with the area as they will take you to the best spots.

Stradbroke Island Fishing Tips is a post from: Things To Do On Stradbroke Island

Being safe on the beach and in the water while on Stradbroke Island is important so you can have a fun and fulfilling holiday! Being safe in the sun, on the beach and in the water does not mean you can not have a good time. Rather, it means that you are insuring you and your family from any kind of nightmare holiday scenario.

Being prepared and planning ahead will negate most problems you might come across. These are the main areas you need to be concerned with:

• Sun Safety – This is more than just putting on sun screen as sun exposure can lead to dehydration and sun stroke as well.
• Water Safety – Being safe in the water will mean you do not have serious injuries or any drowning scares.
• Sand Safety – You will probably get out on the sand in a 4WD on North Stradbroke Island so you have to do it property!
• Camping Common Sense – If you are camping then you need to be safe especially if you are going to have a camp fire.

Whatever you plan to do on your Straddie ultimate holiday adventure be sure you do it safely. That means your holiday won’t be shortened by any unexpected illnesses or injuries.

Sun Safety

The main thing to do before you go out in the sun is put on your sunscreen. Make sure it is as strong as possible and avoid using any kind of tanning lotion. Re-apply sunscreen as needed and make sure you and your family stay hydrated.

Swimming Safe

You should always swim with at least one other person and never alone. Watch out for any bluebottle or other stinger warnings and be aware of your swimming level. If you are not a strong swimmer do not show off and be sure to wear a life jacket on any water craft. Do not stay out on the water too long as you will also get sun exposure.

Driving on the Sand

Take some pointers from the professionals when you hire your four wheel drive on Stradbroke. Drive safely over sand dunes as it can also damage the local environment and your vehicle. If you are not sure about driving on sand then don’t and opt for a guided tour instead to take the stress off and still see the island adventure style!

Staying on the Beach

Camping may seem simple but you need to watch out if you light a fire as nylon tents can catch alight easily. It is also important to store meat and other foods properly to avoid food poisoning. Be aware of your camping site and always camp on previous camp sites never make your own site as it damages the environment.

Most of all take it easy on Stradbroke and enjoy your holiday. Do not rush, remember, you are on holidays. A safe holiday is a good holiday. Remember to bring your medications if you have any and be sure to pack a good first aid kit.

Having a Beach Safe Holiday on Stradbroke is a post from: Things To Do On Stradbroke Island