Flinders Beach, North Stradbroke Island (Minjerribah), Qld
From easy-access campgrounds to 4WD beach camps, North Stradbroke Island (Minjerribah) is a favourite Queensland escape for caravanners chasing sand, surf and bush.
Queensland’s North Stradbroke Island (Minjerribah) — more commonly known as Straddie — is a favourite for Aussie caravanners and campers for good reason. With a vehicle ferry departing from Cleveland (just a short drive from Brisbane’s CBD), it’s an easy hour-long ride before you’re trading bitumen for sand and getting ready to camp with ocean views, cast a line or hit the 4WD tracks.
Straddie is the perfect blend of beach, bush and calm bays with a healthy mix of adventure, and best yet, it’s all within easy reach of your chosen campsite.
Whether you’re chasing surf, wildlife, inland lakes or just a quiet spot to unwind, Straddie delivers. The island has everything from 2WD-accessible campgrounds to 4WD-only beaches, all managed with a focus on respect for the land and local Quandamooka culture, the Traditional Owners of North Stradbroke Island (Minjerribah).
Why Straddie is worth a stop
North Stradbroke Island isn’t just another Queensland getaway. It’s the world’s second-largest sand island — coming in just after K'gari (Fraser Island) — and it packs a surprising amount into a relatively small area. Families, weekenders and offroad enthusiasts all find something they love.
From shady bush camps and calm, sheltered waters to golden surf beaches, the environment here steals the show. Keep an eye out for koalas, kangaroos and pelicans, and if you’re lucky, dolphins or migrating whales. Around a third of the island is protected as Naree Budjong Djara National Park, so there’s plenty of nature to explore with or without your 4WD.
Camping is surprisingly affordable compared with Australia’s other sand islands, and there’s a range of options depending on your rig and adventure style. The SeaLink North Stradbroke Island vehicle ferry runs regularly from Cleveland to the Dunwich ferry terminal on the island’s western edge — it’s a simple drive-on, drive-off hour-long ride, but we recommend booking online in advance to secure your spot, especially on weekends or school holidays.
Aerial view of Main Beach and North Gorge, North Stradbroke Island (Minjerribah)
Things to do on Straddie
Straddie isn’t just about soaking up the sun and trying to keep sand out of the van. There’s plenty to explore for walkers, wildlife watches, snorkellers, surfers and anyone who likes a bit of adventure between camps.
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Point Lookout and North Gorge Walk:
Point Lookout is the island’s go-to viewpoint, where clifftop paths deliver sweeping views of the ocean and coastline. The North Gorge Walk is a must-do for anyone keen to spot dolphins, turtles, whales (depending on the season) or even kangaroos grazing on the headlands. If you’ve got the time, explore the Minjerribah Panorama Coastal Walk, which links Point Lookout with Cylinder Beach. The route has benches and viewing platforms for whale watching or just taking in the breathtaking seascape.
Take in the stunning seascape from the North Gorge Walk
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Blue Lake (Kaboora):
A peaceful freshwater lake tucked inland, Blue Lake rewards visitors with a 3km walk from the nearest car park. It’s also one of the few places where you might spot the golden swamp wallaby — a rare cousin of the common swamp wallaby, unique to Stradbroke Island and a few other reserves in southeast Queensland. The quiet setting and forest surrounds make this lake an ideal spot for a serene stroll or picnic. -
South Gorge Beach:
Nestled between Point Lookout and the Main Beach Headland Reserve, South Gorge Beach is a picture-perfect stretch of sand framed by native vegetation. Its beauty makes it feel far removed from the hustle and bustle of Brisbane, even though it’s just a short drive from the ferry. The beach is ideal for swimming, walks along the shore or simply soaking in the views. -
Brown Lake (Bummiera):
Brown Lake is a perched lake formed by rainwater, surrounded by paperbark and tea trees. It’s popular for swimming thanks to its calm waters, and visitors can enjoy picnic tables, wood-fired barbecues, playgrounds, composting toilets and walking trails through the surrounding bush. Seasonal wildflowers and wildlife add to the charm, making it a great spot for families and nature lovers alike. Dogs aren’t permitted.
Brown Lake (Bummiera) is a great spot for swimming, barbecues and picnics and is known for its tannin-stained waters
Camping on Straddie
Whether you’re towing a caravan, setting up a camper trailer or pitching a tent, Straddie has something to suit. Most sites are managed by Minjerribah Camping, which is 100 per cent owned by the Quandamooka Yulu-Burri-Ba Aboriginal Corporation. That means every visit supports the Traditional Owners.
2WD and AWD-accessible campgrounds
For families or anyone towing a van, there are several easy-access campgrounds that don’t require a 4WD:
- Amity Point — sites with sea views, and if you’re lucky you’ll spot koalas and dolphins. Fires, dogs and generators aren’t allowed here.
- Adder Rock
- Bradburys Beach — powered sites only
- Cylinder Beach
- Home Beach
They all welcome tents and caravans, with powered and unpowered sites, ranging between around $50–$60* per night for an unpowered site or $70–$80* for a powered site. (*Prices subject to change.)
Bring your van, boat and sense of adventure and set up camp at Amity Point Camping Ground
Facilities typically include toilets, timed hot showers, barbecue areas and coin-operated laundries. Some sites are tent-only or caravan-only, so it pays to check when booking. Cylinder Beach doesn’t have its own barbecues but is right next to a public park with electric ones.
4WD-only beach camping
For those chasing a more rugged experience, Main Beach on the island’s west coast and Flinders Beach to the north both require a high-clearance 4WD. Both welcome offroad caravans, camper trailers and tents, with one vehicle per site.
- Fires are allowed (BYO firewood) and small generators can be used from 7am–9pm.
- Dogs on leash are permitted, with a maximum of two per site.
- Minjerribah Camping encourages the use of fuel stoves rather than wood fires wherever possible. If you do light a fire, it must be in cleared areas where previous fires have been made, fully extinguished with water (dirt and sand can retain heat even when it appears extinguished) and never during fire bans. Always follow fire safety practices and stay safe.
Both campsites are on the affordable side, ranging from $20–$40* per night, depending on party size. (*Prices subject to change.)
Hit the sand with your 4WD and offroad caravan on Main Beach, North Stradbroke Island (Minjerribah) (Image: Darren and Sally Bury)
Enjoy 4WD-based camping at Flinders Beach (Image: Robert Crack)
Shower and toilet access at the beaches is managed with passes. For example, if you’re camping at Flinders Beach, you can purchase a shower card at Adder Rock to use the facilities. Composting toilets and dump points are available at designated locations.
We hope it goes without saying, but always respect the environment and other travellers and leave your campsites the way you found them. Abide by all rules and restrictions, including taking your rubbish with you when you go. Either double bag it and take it off the island or dispose of it at the rubbish points located at Amity Point Access and Flinders Beach access.
Beach driving and vehicle access
If you’re hoping to go beach driving while on Straddie, you’ll need a Vehicle Access Permit (VAP), which costs around $57.80 per month or $173.30 per year. There’s a strict driving speed limit of 60km/h on Main Beach, 40km/h on Flinders Beach, and driving on the beach within two hours on either side of high tide is strongly discouraged for your and your vehicle’s safety.
With soft sand and changing tides, low gear may be required and sand driving gear is a must — you’ll need to be able to lower your tyre pressures (and reinflate once you’re off the sand) and it’s always a wise idea to have recovery gear and traction boards with you in case you get stuck in a sand bog.
For more info and advice on sand driving, check out this article.
Explore Australia’s second largest sand island the right way (Image: Robert Crack)
If you’re keen for a 4WD beach drive, then unhitch your van and head from Dunwich to East Coast Road, heading north to Beehive Road and then towards Amity Point (or you can jump onto Flinders Beach). The Flinders Beach drive is always popular — just don’t forget to lower your tyre pressures and keep an eye out for other vehicles and wildlife. Exit at Adder Rock then continue to Point Lookout and Main Beach and then to Jumpinpin Channel for some fishing.
For the return journey, head back via Alfred Martin Road (reinflate your tyres), with the option to detour to Blue Lake and Brown Lake for some swimming and prime relaxation time.
Once you’ve ticked the coastal route off your bucket list, inland tracks like the Tripod Track offer a mix of ocean views, dunes and bushland.
Island towns and wildlife
One of the best things about Straddie is that its towns still have that small-island beach-town charm. Dunwich, Point Lookout and Amity Point all offer a range of cafes, shops and welcoming pubs where you can get the insider tips from the locals. The Stradbroke Island Beach Hotel, still affectionally called the ‘Straddie Pub’ despite the original 1962 building being demolished, is a crowd-favourite and it’s easy to see why, with its newly renovated upper deck with ocean views, great meals and a bit of nostalgia for those who’ve been visiting Straddie for decades.
Wildlife lovers will be in their element in Straddie, particularly when it comes to marine life. Head to Amity Point Jetty at dawn for the chance to spot dolphins or head a bit further out to see manta rays and turtles swimming offshore. And if you visit between late May to early November, you’ll be right on time for the annual whale migration (June to October is the prime viewing time) — Gorge Walk and Norm’s Seat are some of the best places to be for land-based whale spotting.
There are plenty of great spots for fishing as well, whether it’s off the rocks, beach or by boat. Depending on where you set yourself up, you might catch tailor, bream, whiting, flathead, snapper and giant trevally, just to name a few.
Fishing from the rocks at Deadman’s Beach
The Quandamooka people’s heritage is visible across the island, from cultural sites to stories of the Traditional Owners working alongside dolphins to herd mullet into nets, a reminder of the longstanding connection between the community and the island’s environment.
Planning your Straddie trip
Straddie suits every style of traveller. Whether it’s a quick weekend, a family holiday with the van in tow or a 4WD adventure, this Queensland island delivers. Grab your VAP, book your campsite/s, pack your sand driving and caravanning gear and enjoy everything from beachside bliss and fishing to inland walks and wildlife encounters.
Maps to get you on your way
- Queensland State Map
- K’gari (Fraser Island) & Brisbane Islands Atlas & Guide
- Queensland Explorer Pack
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