Weekend Escapes:~ Start Spring Camping On Stradbroke Island

Spring has arrived and camping is the perfect activity to get into this spring. Camping Plus love to help our customers to find new places to camp and explore in south east Queensland. We also offer some of the best camping products on the market that will ensure that your camping adventure is comfortable and enjoyable. This week we’ve decided to discuss a weekend escape about one of our favourite camping destination, Stradbroke Island.

North Stradbroke Island is a beach and nature lover’s paradise and, with some prior planning, easy to get to and around. The island is accessed via ferry at Toondah Harbour at Cleveland, in Brisbane’s East. Cleveland is about 40 minutes’ drive from the CBD and is also serviced by trains and local buses.

By Car – Toondah Harbour is 30km or a 40 minute drive from the CBD. If you drive, you can leave your car at the harbour and take a passenger ferry, or take your car with you on the car ferry.

By Train – A train from the CBD will take about an hour and is a 3 Zone journey. Check out train pricing with Translink.  Once you arrive at the Cleveland Train station, a bus can take you from here to the ferry terminal, which is about 5 minutes away.

The island can be accessed by water taxi or vehicle ferry. You don’t need a 4WD to get on the car ferry and if you’re staying for a few days it’s a great idea to take your car for ease of movement around the island.

Water Taxi – Two companies operate water taxi’s from Toondah Harbour to North Stradbroke Island and the journey will take around 25 minutes. You’re likely to be able to find a time convenient for you with services running run hourly between 4.55am and 7.25pm (with a daily break from 1.55pm to 3.25pm).

1.  Stradbroke Ferries Leaves Toondah Harbour and docks at Dunwich main terminal.

• Pricing  
• Timetable

2. Stradbroke Flyer Leaves Toondah Harbour and docks at One Mile Jetty, Dunwich.

• Pricing 
• Timetable

Car Ferry –  Stradbroke Ferries provide the vehicle ferry service to North Stradbroke Island and the trip is around 50 minutes. There are two boats operating the Big Red Cat and the Minjerribah. Services are hourly with extras being added at peak times like long weekends and school holidays. It’s best to book ahead and often cheaper as well. It leaves Toondah Harbour (past the water taxis) and docs at Dunwich main terminal.

• Pricing  
• Timetable

Car- Most roads are sealed and easily accessible and it should take you around 15 Minutes from Dunwich to Amity Point and around 20 minutes to Point Lookout.

If you brought a 4WD along, be sure to check information on beach driving and that you have a vehicle permit. Fines are given to drivers without correct and current permits. 

Bus-Stradbroke Island buses provide a service that corresponds with water taxi times so that you can jump off the ferry and almost straight onto a bus. The bus doesn’t run at night though, so make sure you check the timetable to make sure you aren’t stranded when you get there.

There are several camping areas on North Stradbroke Island. These camping areas offer a range of facilities, including cabins, powered and unpowered sites, toilets, showers, and playgrounds. For a more rugged experience, there is remote beach camping with no facilities; however, these areas can only be accessed by 4WD vehicles. Camping permits are required for all camping areas and a Vehicle Access Permit is required to access these areas.

There are many campgrounds on Stradbroke Island, you can bring your tent or swag and camp at the following spots on the island:

1. Amity Point;

2. Point Lookout;

• Adder Rock;
• Cylinder Beach;
• Home Beach;

3. Dunwich;

• Adams Beach;
• Bradbury’s Beach

More information on the camping areas on Stradbroke Island can be found on the Minjerribah Camping site.

Camping is available for 4wd drivers at:

1. Flinders Beach – Flinders Beach camp ground consists of twelve beachfront camping areas which are nestled in the Islands dunes. The camp sites are in natural areas and are only accessible by bush tracks, or from the beach outside of high tide times;

2. Main Beach – Main Beach stretches for 38kms along the eastern side of the island. Camping is available in fifteen designated areas at the southern end of Main Beach, approximately 17km south of Point Lookout.

Regular vehicle access camping sites are available at:

• Amity point;
• Home beach;
• Cylinder beach;
• Adder Rock;
• Adams Beach; and
• Bradbury’s Beach.

The best time of year to head over to North Stradbroke will depend on the activity that you plan on doing while you’re over there, however spring (September through November) is an excellent time of year to visit as it’s not too hot, not too cold and the humidity is under control.

If you’re considering a camping trip to Stradbroke Island here are some great options:

The Coleman Instant Up 4P Gold Tent utilities the frame from the ever popular Coleman Instant Up series. While combined with the trusted fabrics from the Coleman Gold Series to create an optimal balance between functionality and strength. This tent will be great for camping on Stradbroke Island. Its available at Camping Plus today for a great rate.

For those who are after a swag, as opposed to a tent, look no further than the Oztrail Lachlan Canvas Swag. Quick to setup and pack down. Easy entry, large and well ventilated. Includes a high-density foam mattress. Tough and reliable SatProof 600+ canvas 380gm with a vinyl base.