Getaway Guide: The Best of North Stradbroke Island

Just a short ferry ride from Brisbane, North Stradbroke Island (Minjerribah) feels a long way from city life. Red roads, endless beaches, crystal clear lakes and that slow, salty air that tells you to switch off. This is Quandamooka Country and if you want to really get a feel for the place, walk it with a local guide. Learn the stories, taste the bush tucker and see the land through the people who’ve cared for it for thousands of years.

The beaches are the headline act, Main Beach, Cylinder, Flinders, but there’s more if you’re looking. The Gorge Walk serves up cliffside views and regular sightings of turtles, dolphins and manta rays. In winter, the whales cruise past like clockwork. Inland, Brown Lake is perfect for a float (and soft on the skin thanks to the tea trees), while Blue Lake remains untouched, sacred and not for swimming.

Back in town, spot koalas before your coffee, browse local art studios and end the day with seafood and a cold one overlooking the water. Camping’s big here, but so is glamping. And if you’ve got a 4WD, there’s plenty of beachfront to claim for a night or two.

We’ve rounded up the best places to eat, stay and explore so you can make the most of your island time, whether it’s a weekend or something longer.

Quandamooka Festival 2025 Celebrates Culture and QUAMPI Opening

This year, the vibrant Quandamooka Festival will be an extra special event for locals and visitors alike – as it coincides with the much-anticipated opening of QUAMPI, the Quandamooka Arts and Cultural Centre. Held across the weekend of September 13th and 14th, the Festival is a powerful celebration of culture,...

Pandanus Palms Resort

If there’s one thing North Stradbroke Island does brilliantly, it’s serving up the kind of laid back paradise you’ll want to return to year after year. Perched high above the coastline at Point Lookout, Pandanus Palms Resort is your gateway to Straddie’s stunning ocean views. Pandanus Palms Resort features spacious...

Allure Stradbroke Resort

Allure Stradbroke Resort is tucked into the foothills of Point Lookout on the north-eastern tip of North Stradbroke Island (Minjerribah). Allure allows you to leave the hustle and bustle behind and settle into island time. Enjoy simple, fun, and carefree days staying in Allure’s range of architecturally designed, fully...

Straddie Brewing Co

Straddie Brewing Co is North Stradbroke Island’s crown jewel—a three‑storey brewery, bar, and restaurant perched just 10 minutes from the Dunwich ferry terminal, offering arguably the best vantage point on the island for sipping cocktails and craft beers. Here's everything you need to know about this must‑visit venue, the...

Point Lookout (Mulumba)

Point Lookout isn’t just another pretty spot on North Straddie. Perched on the island’s eastern edge overlooking the Pacific Ocean this rocky headland is one of Queensland’s most spectacular vantage points. Point Lookout isn’t just another pretty spot on North Straddie. The famous Gorge Walk is an easy going 1.2...

Naree Budjong Djara National Park

If you’re heading to North Straddie, Naree Budjong Djara National Park is well worth a visit. It takes up nearly half the island and is looked after by the Quandamooka People alongside Queensland Parks. The name means “My Mother Earth” in the local language and it’s one of the...

North Stradbroke Island Golf Club

Where the Greens Meet Nature If you’ve never played a round of golf with a mob of kangaroos casually grazing by the green, Straddie’s your chance. North Stradbroke Island Golf Club is a bit of a local legend. Perched high on the slopes near Mt Hargrave and only a few...

Manta Lodge Scuba Centre

If you’re chasing that dive eat sleep repeat lifestyle, Manta Lodge & Scuba Centre is where it’s at. Smack bang on the beach at Point Lookout, this place is part hostel, part dive HQ. Dive, stay and train. It’s the only dive centre on the island and a certified...

Fishes at the Point

If you’re spending a day at Point Lookout, Fishes at the Point is one of those places that just makes sense. It’s right across from the North Gorge Walk, close to the beach and always smells like hot chips and salt air. You can grab a table out front...

St Stradbroke Wine Bar

Just a few steps from the Dunwich ferry, St Stradbroke is a wine bar and retail space that’s all about small batch bottle and top notch cheese. This is where you go to sip something interesting, snack on something salty and stock up on wine you won’t find at...

Whale Tail Gelati & Coffee Bar

Nothing beats having ice cream right by the beach. Lucky for you, Whale Tail Gelati & Coffee Bar is slinging some of the creamiest, most drool worthy scoops on North Straddie, plus it's just a short stroll from the sand at Point Lookout. This isn’t your average servo soft...