One of Australia's natural treasures and a perfect escape destination, located right on the doorstep of Brisbane.

Just one hour from Brisbane International Airport and Brisbane City and 1 112 hours from the Gold Coast, North Stradbroke Island is easily accessible by vehicular ferry from Cleveland or Redland Bay. North Stradbroke Island is one of the largest sand islands in the world, with kilometres of white sandy beaches fringing the island's eastern side. The calm waters of Moreton Bay lap against the shores of the island's western fishing towns.

With an incredible diversity of experiences to offer and beautiful spots to explore, North Stradbroke is a popular holiday location for families, couples and adventure-seekers alike.

North Stradbroke's unspoilt beaches and headlands are perfect for swimming, surfing and fishing year round. Whales, dolphins, turtles and manta rays can often be spotted from the spectacular North Gorge at the tip 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.

The island is the ultimate paradise for the many enthusiasts who visit each year. You can choose from campsites with full amenities or perhaps pitch a tent on some of the best beachfront sites in Queensland. Those with a 4WD can also explore the beaches and inland tracks. There is plenty of holiday accommodation, ranging from resorts, units, rental houses and budget accommodation. Your holiday on North Stradbroke Island is sure to be a wonderful and unique experience you'll never forget.

Transport on the island

North Stradbroke Island is serviced by its own bus system, with buses meeting almost every water taxi. Buses operate between Dunwich, One Mile, Amity Point and Point Lookout. The island is also serviced by taxi. Alternatively, you may take your own car over to the island using a vehicle barge service. All townships are linked with sealed roads which are accessible by conventional vehicles, however a 4WD is required for driving on beaches and inland sand tracks.

Climate

The climate is subtropical, with sunshine almost all year round. Temperatures in coastal South East Queensland range from an average of 2O degrees Celsius in July to an average of 28 degrees in February

Banking facilities

Banking facilities on the island are limited, however cash advances are available from Visa, Mastercard and Bankcard through the local Post Offices. Dunwich Post Office is open 8am to 5pm Monday to Friday and Saturday 8am - 11am. Amity Point Post Office is open Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm (closed 12.30pm- 1.30pm). Point Lookout Post Office is open Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm. There are also several EFTPOS facilities at various locations on the island.

Medical services

There is a health centre on Cnr Oxley Parade and Petrie Street, Dunwich (Phone: 07 3409 9059). A registered nurse is on call 24 hours for emergencies, with access to medical backup. There is also a doctor's surgery at Point Lookout (Ph: 07 3409 8660). For emergencies, the ambulance service can be contacted (Ph: 07 3409 9333).

Island-style Camping grounds

Camping on North Stradbroke Island has always been a popular way to enjoy the island's natural beauty, first class beaches and other attractions.

Camping offers the perfect way to spend time with the family, relax, and get back to basics. Redland Shire Council operates six camping sites, all with amenity blocks and laundry facilities.

Camping on beaches

Dunes and beaches can be very fragile. The sparse dune vegetation is often all that stops the dunes from becoming mobile and moving inland.

Use an existing camp site - choose a site where you will not need to dig a trench, flatten vegetation or break overhanging branches.

Do not camp within 50 metres of streams or waterways.

Use the toilet facilities where provided. If camping without toilet facilities, bury toilet waste in a 20cm hole at least 50 metres away from a waterway, campsite or front dunes. Do not empty chemical toilets into the composting toilets at Flinders Beach as this kills the bacteria within the composting chambers rendering them inoperative.

Take your rubbish with you and dispose of it at home or at designated waste disposal sites. Use fuel stoves. If a fire is necessary, always keep it small and where possible, light fires in areas cleared of vegetation on the site of a previous fire. Do not collect firewood from the beaches or dunes. Always observe fire warnings. Extinguish all fires before leaving.

If fishing, bury fish remains 30cm under the sand below the high water mark.

Reduce tyre pressure for soft-sand driving.

Caring for lakes & streams

Because the lakes and waterways of North Stradbroke Island are not regularly flushed, they are particularly sensitive to pollution and an artificial increase in nutrients.

Powered craft are NOT permitted on Brown Lake, Blue Lake or the Keyhole Lakes. Those found operating powered craft on any lakes are liable for prosecution.

Never use soap, toothpaste or detergents in the waterways as these promote the growth of algae and affect the purity of the water and aquatic life. Take water at least 50 metres from the shore to wash dishes or shower.

Beachfront

Situated between Amity Point and Point Lookout, 19km from Dunwich. Right on the beachfront. Accessible only by 4WD from Amity Point or Point Lookout. Four amenity blocks in small clearings behind dunes. Drinking water and beach shower at Adder Rock access road. Small campfires and dogs are permitted. No bonfires allowed.

Situated along the eastern coast, Main Beach stretches for over 30kms. Choose your own secluded spot to camp (must be at least 10kms south of the causeway). Accessible only by 4WD via George Nothling Drive at Point Lookout or via Trans Island Road from Dunwich. No amenities or drinking water. Small campfires and dogs are permitted.

Mineral Sand Mining on North Stradbroke Island

 

Environmental Management

Before mining commences, vegetation and fauna surveys are conducted to identify the species present in the area which will be mined. As part of CRL's commitment to striving for best practice in environmental management, the company also carries out environmental monitoring in a range of other areas including water, geo-technical and topographical aspects of its operations, prior to and throughout the mining process.

When mining has been completed, the dunes are progressively reconstructed to approximate the previously assessed pre-mining shape. The topsoil, removed and stockpiled prior to mining, is then spread across the dunes. Native seeds collected by hand from CRL's Island leases are sown together with a temporary cover crop of sorghum. Brushmatting, windbreaks and a sand stabiliser are then used to control erosion.

CRL's commitment to environmental management continues after the seeding and planting is complete. The rehabilitated land is monitored to assess its self-sustainability and repopulation by native wildlife.

Product Uses

Mineral sands are used in a wide variety of products, ranging from household items in daily use to high technology applications. Rutile and ilmenite are used to make titanium dioxide, a high quality, white pigment used in paints, plastic and cosmetics as well as titanium metal for the aerospace industry and for the production of surgical equipment, such as pacemakers. Finely ground zircon is used in glazes for tiles, dinnerware and other ceramics. It is also used in computer and television screens.

North Stradbroke Island is one of a chain of sand islands which extends along the coast of South East Queensland. The Island's high, stable sand mass is ideal for the development of two important industries - tourism and mineral sand mining.

Consolidated Rutile Limited (CRL) is one of the world's major producers of heavy mineral sands, producing around 80,000 tonnes of rutile, 60,000 tonnes of zircon and 150,000 tonnes of ilmenite annually. Exporting to 33 countries, CRL has a total annual turnover in excess of $100 million and employs over 230 people.

Mining and Processing

Mining is carried out by dredge floating on an artificial pond. A submerged rotating cutter is used to loosen the sand which is then pumped through pipelines to a floating concentrator at a rate of approximately 3,000 tonnes per hour. In the concentrator, a gravity separation process using a series of water fed spirals extracts the heavy mineral sands (about 1% of the mined material). As the ilmenite contains iron, it can be separated out from the rest of the concentrate using Wet High Intensity Magnetic Separators (WHIMS). The residue sand is stacked behind the pond to fill previously mined areas.

Every week, up to five 1,800 tonne loads of mineral concentrates are transported by barge to the Dry Mill at Pinkenba for final separation. The mineral concentrates are passed through further gravity separation and then dried in a kiln before electrostatic separation and final separation using high powered magnets. Some of the concentrates are packaged in paper sacks and Polythene bags to avoid contamination during shipping.

Some other options...

Take a 4WD tour or drive yourself, and enjoy discovering the more remote areas of the island.

Fishing Charters - Take a tour out into the open waters surrounding North Stradbroke Island in search of the big catch!

Sandboarding - Experience an exhilarating sandboard ride down one of Stradbroke's dunes. Have fun trying this new craze, which has a close parallel to snowboarding.

Seakayaking - Kayak through the open waters surrounding the island and you might even be lucky enough to spot a whale, dolphin or turtle.

Diving & Snorkelling - North Stradbroke Island has some of the best dive sites in South East Queensland, just a few hundred metres from the shore. The reefs surrounding Point Lookout are home to turtles, dolphins, whales, manta rays and reef fish. Try snorkelling or scuba diving or take a trip out on a glass bottom boat.

Ropes Course - Test your skills and get the adrenaline pumping on this challenging outdoors course (minimum numbers apply)

Golf - Don't miss your regular round of golf, just play it island-style!

Bowls - Why not enjoy a game of bowls?

Why not visit the local art gallery & historical museum?

Scenic walks can also be taken around the North Gorge Headlands and out to Blue Lake.

Point Lookout

Situated at the northern tip of the island, Point Lookout is Queensland's most easterly point. The township is located 20km from Dunwich and 19km from Amity Point.

Point Lookout is actually a series of beaches and headlands that can be easily explored by foot. Walking is a way of life at the Point and there is always something to explore. Many enjoy the simple pleasure of walking the four kilometres of beach between Frenchman's Beach and Adder Rock.

The fine, white sand of the beaches is punctuated by rocky outcrops and headlands, some with tidal rockpools. The view to the island's southern tip - Jumpinpin showcases Main Beach's 32km stretch of wide sand beaches and surf, ideal for island-style camping, swimming and fishing.

A highlight and a must for all visitors is the North Gorge Headlands Walk. The view over the Gorge can only be described as breathtaking. It is the perfect vantage point for spotting turtles, dolphins and manta-rays year round. From June to November, whale watchers can view the annual migration of the humpback whales.

Accommodation at Point Lookout includes a hotel, resorts, holiday units, backpacker hostels and camping grounds. Most accommodation is within easy walking distance of superb beaches. There is a range of relaxed outdoor cafes and eateries where you can enjoy a cappuccino or a cold drink. Everyday items are available from the local butchery, bakery, chemist, newsagent and convenience stores.

Enjoy the surf beaches

The island has a range of beaches which are suitable for safe Swimming, spectacular surfing and great fishing all year round.

Main Beach and Cylinder Beach are the most popular beaches at Point Lookout, and are patrolled every weekend from September to April by qualified lifesavers from the Point Lookout Surf Lifesaving Club. These beaches are also patrolled Monday to Friday during school holidays.

Main Beach stretches for 32kms of unspoilt sand, dunes and surf. Main Beach is always popular with boardriders and bodysurfers who enjoy the big swells. The headland is the best vantage point for watching the surfing action and spotting dolphins.

Cylinder Beach is popular with families, due to its gentle waves and tidal beach lagoon. Cylinder Beach is also a favourite with surfers when the conditions are right.

Deadman's Beach and Frenchman's Beach are secluded spots, nestled between the North Gorge and Cylinder Beach. These beaches are great places to explore the rockpools where you can see small fish, anemones, shells and crabs.

On the western side of the island, Amity Point and Dunwich offer sandy beaches and calm water for safe swimming and great fishing.

Discover Dunwich

The rich Aboriginal history of North Stradbroke Island centres around Dunwich, home of the Nunukul, Nughie and Goenpil Aboriginal tribes. You can learn more about Aboriginal hunting methods, bush tucker, artifacts and the island's history by taking an authentic and informative walking tour of Dunwich with a local Aboriginal guide. Tickets for The Goompi Trail ($12 adults, $5 children) can be purchased from the Visitors Information Centre in Dunwich. The Goompi Trail departs at 10am Monday to Friday, or other times by arrangement. Bookings are essential.

You could also explore the history of the town by taking a free self-guided historical walk around Dunwich. The walk winds its way past convict relics and graves dating back to shipwrecks in the 1800s. Walk guides are available from the Visitors Information Centre. The Dunwich Cemetery (One Mile) gives visitors a fascinating insight into the island's past.

Fishing off the jetty and swimming in the safe, salt water enclosure are favourite pastimes among both locals and holiday makers.

Myora Springs, 4kms along East Coast Road, is well worth a visit and has a grassy picnic area and swimming hole. Myora Springs is a pristine source of natural spring water surrounded by a small tropical forest.

The North Stradbroke Island Visitors Information Centre (Ph: 07 3409 9555) is also at Dunwich. The Visitors Information Centre is open seven days a week and can assist you with information about the island, camping bookings and 4WD permits. The Visitors Information Centre also has a range of local arts, crafts and souvenirs.

The Dunwich Museum (Welsby Street) offers an impressive display of photographs, items retrieved from shipwrecks, and information about early tourist ventures and the sand mining industry. The Museum is open on Wednesday and Saturday from 10am to 2pm.

For those not so interested in history, Dunwich still has a lot to offer. For the day-tripper, Dunwich offers an island experience just 30 minutes by water taxi from the mainland. A picnic beneath the massive camphor-laurel trees on the foreshore is an ideal way to spend an afternoon. There are also several eateries and shops.

Relaxing at Amity Point

Amity Point has the tranquil atmosphere of a small, seaside fishing village. Trawlers still tie up at the jetty to offload the night's catch of fresh prawns, crabs and fish-ready for the tables of local restaurants and shops.

Anglers, boat owners and families love Amity Point's relaxing atmosphere, sandy beaches, shade and easy access to the glistening waters and fantastic fishing in Moreton Bay. The jetty is ideal for fishing, both on the incoming and outgoing tides. Friendly pelicans inhabit the crystal clear waters edging the shore. A swimming enclosure offers safe swimming at all times, and the crystal clear water is ideal for snorkelling.

Freshwater lakes

Stradbroke's lakes include Blue Lake, Brown Lake, the Keyholes, Eighteen Mile Swamp and a series of small lagoons.

Blue Lake is the perfect place to take a refreshing dip in the middle of summer. Blue Lake National Park (501 ha) offers a quiet haven for visitors to appreciate one of the island's freshwater lakes. The Aboriginal name for Blue Lake is 'Karboora' which means "silent pool". Early morning or dusk is the best time to see wildlife such as forest birds, goannas and other reptiles. Careful observers may see the more rare and extremely shy wildlife, such as the golden wallaby.

To access Blue Lake, drive 8km along the sealed Trans Island Road from Dunwich. Conventional vehicles must be left in the carpark at the entrance to the park, and passengers will need to walk 2.7 kilometres to the lake. Four wheel drive vehicles can follow a sand track 2.5 kilometres closer to the lake and walk the remaining 200 metres. To protect the delicate ecosystem, no camping or pets are allowed in the National Park.

For a different freshwater experience, Brown Lake is easy to get to by conventional vehicle and has amenities such as picnic tables and BBOS. The natural bushland surrounding the lake is home to many delicate wildflowers, including small ground orchids. The Aboriginal name for Brown Lake is "Bummeira". To access Brown Lake, drive 3.5kms from Dunwich along the sealed Trans Island Road.

The Keyholes are a freshwater system of mysterious lakes and lagoons which stretch over 4.5 kilometres. It is a perfect spot to view the island's massive open air aviary of more than 250 species of native birds.

Wonder at our Humpback whales. And other marine life

The rocky outcrops of Point Lookout which overlook the Pacific Ocean are the perfect spots for land-based whale watching

From June to November each year, the majestic humpback whales pass the North Gorge Headland on their annual migration from Antarctica to their calving grounds near the Great Barrier Reef. While the calves are still quite young, they begin their southern return journey passing close to the coast.

The North Gorge offers a breathtaking seascape and when the tide and sea conditions are right, air whistles through a blowhole-just like a spouting whale! The best vantage points along the Headlands are within easy walking distance of the major resorts and camping grounds at Point Lookout.

You can spot dolphins, turtles and manta rays from the North Gorge Headlands and other vantage points on the island all year round.