Stradbroke Island
Escape
The moment the ferry leaves Cleveland and glides across Moreton Bay, you can feel the tension of the mainland slipping away. The hour-long journey to Dunwich is the unofficial start to the Straddie experience. Once you roll off the barge, it’s a short drive to Amity Point, Point Lookout, or down toward the beach access tracks that lead into 4WD territory.
Driving on Stradbroke isn’t about conquering terrain, it’s about immersing yourself in it. The eastern coastline is a stretch of uninterrupted sand driving known as Main Beach, running south from Point Lookout all the way to the island’s southern tip at Jumpinpin Bar. This is the core of the 4WD experience, wide beaches, surf on one side, and dunes and bush on the other.
The track entrance at George Nothling Drive puts you straight onto the sand. Air down your tyres, check the tides, and from there you’re free to cruise the coastline with fishing rods in the back, windows down and that gentle sea breeze blowing in.
Explore
Beyond beach cruising, Stradbroke is full of off-the-beaten-path treasures. The island’s 4WD network includes both beach and inland routes that connect campsites, fishing spots, and bushland pockets. While there are no technical tracks, the soft sand can be deep and challenging, especially around Jumpinpin and inland routes near Blue Lake and Keyholes.
Main Beach is the primary 4WD artery, perfect for sunrise drives and spontaneous stops. At low tide, the beach is firm and fast. At high tide or after storms, it can get soft and chopped up — making it a great test for tyre pressure and recovery skills.
The Jumpinpin Track at the southern end of the island leads into remote country near the tidal estuary of Jumpinpin Channel. This is a favourite among fishers, with gutters, rock pockets, and less traffic than the main northern stretch. The sand here is notoriously soft, and the tides come in fast — timing is everything.
For a change of pace, inland roads like Tazi Road, which connects the ocean side to Dunwich, and Alfred Martin Way, offer easy bush cruising through scribbly gum forest and wetlands. Along the way, you might spot a koala in the trees or hear the call of a curlew at dusk.
Point Lookout, on the eastern headland, is the island’s heart — a blend of culture, surf, and local life. While 4WDs aren’t needed here, it’s worth parking up to explore the North Gorge Walk, cafes, and the breathtaking whale lookout (especially between June and November).
Adventure
Straddie offers some of the best beachfront camping in Queensland, and you can pull right up to the dunes and pitch your tent within metres of the surf. There’s nothing like waking up to waves breaking just beyond your swag or falling asleep to the hum of the ocean.
🏕 Main Beach Camping
- Spread along the dunes south of Point Lookout.
- Accessible only by 4WD via the beach.
- Unpowered sites, with compost toilets at intervals.
- Fires permitted in designated containers (bring your own fire pit).
🏕 Flinders Beach Camping
- On the northern side of the island between Amity and Point Lookout.
- More protected from swell and wind, good for families.
- Dune-side camping with access to facilities at Amity.
- Accessible by 4WD only.
🏕 Blue Lake and Brown Lake (Bummiera)
- Day-use areas only, but stunning inland freshwater lakes to explore.
- No camping, but well worth a swim or picnic stop.
🏕 Amity Point and Adder Rock (Non-4WD)
- For those wanting easy access and basic amenities, these holiday parks offer powered and unpowered sites with toilets, showers, and beach access — but not the same wild freedom as the 4WD zones.
Campsites must be booked in advance through Minjerribah Camping, and spots fill fast during holidays. Bring everything you need, including water, as supplies are limited once you leave the main towns.
10 Things Not to Miss on Stradbroke Island
- Driving the length of Main Beach at sunrise — the best light and almost no one around.
- Camping under the stars on the dunes — nothing between you and the Pacific.
- Exploring Jumpinpin at low tide — remote, wild, and full of fish.
- Swimming at Brown Lake (Bummiera) — tea-coloured waters rich in culture and calm.
- Whale watching from Point Lookout (June–Nov) — humpbacks breaching just offshore.
- Walking the North Gorge Walk — kangaroos, turtles, and epic headland views.
- Spotting koalas near Amity Point — some of the best wild sightings in SEQ.
- Fishing the gutters along Main Beach — tailor, dart, and the occasional jewie.
- Having lunch at the Straddie pub or a beer at the Bowlo — classic Aussie island vibe.
- Exploring the Keyholes for a freshwater dip — quiet and lesser-known.
Trip Snapshot: Stradbroke Island 4WD Getaway
Distance from Brisbane
~30 km + 1-hour vehicle ferry from Cleveland
4WD Access
Required for Main Beach, Flinders Beach, Jumpinpin
Best Time to Go
Spring and Autumn (less crowded, warm days)
Top Tracks
Main Beach, Jumpinpin, inland connector tracks
Top Campsites
Main Beach, Flinders Beach, Adder Rock (non-4WD)
Facilities
Limited at beach camps — bring water, fuel, fire pits
Permits Needed
Vehicle Access Permit + pre-booked camping via Minjerribah Camping
Essential Gear
Tyre deflator, shovel, recovery tracks, air compressor
Ideal Trip Length
2–4 days (or more for full exploration)
Activities
4WDing, surfing, swimming, fishing, bushwalking, camping
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