Stradbroke Island Accommodation Review
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.
A Visitor’s Guide to 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.
Stradbroke Island and the Great Aussie Holiday
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.
Stradbroke Island’s Best Fishing Spots
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.
Boating Adventures Around 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:
How to Have an Eco Friendly Stradbroke Holiday
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:
Best Islands to Visit In Australia
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
National Parks 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 Fishing Tips
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
Having a Beach Safe Holiday on Stradbroke
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: