We have recently started exploring camping now that the twins are a bit older. We find it really great for kids and a fun learning experience. For us, camping in North Stradbroke Island is one of the most memorable experiences we’ve had with the girls.
‘Straddie,” as what locals call it, is located southeast of Brisbane, and is part of the Redland City Council. It is a beautiful island popular for overnight stays and day trips, given it is very accessible with or without a car.
Why Camp in North Stradbroke Island?
Aside from the fact that Straddie is just a short drive away, nothing beats sleeping with the sound of waves crashing through the shore and waking up in the morning with a beautiful view of the sparkling ocean.
The combination of camping and the beach always appeals to us, especially with kids tagging along. This gives us a chance to enjoy island life even just for a few days.
The pristine white sand beaches on this island are simply irresistible. Moreover, North Stradbroke Island boasts a variety of activities for kids and adults alike.
Do you need a 4×4 in North Stradbroke Island?
No, unless you plan to drive on the beach. Most roads are sealed and easily accessible by a 2WD. If you are planning to bring a 4WD though, it requires an appropriate permit for beach driving, so make sure you get one to avoid fines.
How to Get There
From Brisbane CBD, you can drive to the Sealink Terminal located in Cleveland, and hop on a ferry going to Nort Stradbroke Island. Cleveland is just a 30 to 40-minute drive from Brisbane CBD.
Otherwise, you can get to Cleveland from Brisbane CBD by train. Alight at Cleveland train station, and get to the ferry terminal by bus.
By Vehicle Ferry
If you are planning to bring your car across, you can ride the vehicle ferry which costs roughly $180 for a return trip. This depends on the number of passengers and type of vehicle.
The ferry ride takes 45 minutes, departing from the Sealink Terminal in Cleveland and arriving in Dunwich, a small town in North Stradbroke Island.
The ferry ride is very relaxing. Passengers can disembark from their vehicles and enjoy the ocean breeze from the second level of the ferry while having a cuppa.
Otherwise some people prefer to stay in the car, recline their seats and enjoy a comfortable and calm ride while waiting for the ferry to arrive.
By Water Taxi
This is another option for those planning to leave their cars behind. The water taxi takes around 20-25 minutes for $10 per person each way.
Same as the vehicle ferry, the water taxi departs from the Sealink Terminal in Cleveland. This is more feasible if you plan to do a day trip to North Stradbroke Island.
Whatever type of transportation you choose, it is best to book in advance as tickets sell out fast especially during peak season.
Where to Camp in North Stradbroke Island?
We booked through Minjerribah Camping in North Stradbroke Island. From their website there are plenty of camping sites and options. Our favourite campground is at Amity Point, for quite a few good reasons. You can camp on powered waterfront sites with really great ocean and sunset views.
Amity Point Campground also has cabins and beachfront eco shacks, for those not keen to bring their tents along. Facilities include shower, toilet, power, water, washing machine, dishwashing area, BBQ facilities, picnic area, kids’ playground, and free wifi.
Because the campground is so close to the beach, the kids can just play, run around and swim while you are sipping on your glass of wine. Meanwhile, hubby can have the time of his life fishing on the jetty.
How Much Does it Cost to Camp in North Stradbroke Island?
We find camping in Straddie more expensive than other campsites, probably the most expensive we’ve been to so far. Our 2 nights camping there cost us $158 ($79/night) for 2 adults and 2 kids on a powered tent site, including water.
But to be honest, aside from the Sealink Terminal a 5-minute drive from our home, nothing else has by far beaten our camping by the beach experience in North Stradbroke Island.
Fun Things to do in North Stradbroke Island with Kids
Catch a Fish at Amity Point Jetty
We walked by the jetty with the kids and they get really excited whenever they see someone catch a fish. Straddie is very popular for fishing. The jetty in Amity point is just one of the good spots for a good catch. Mind you, for a first-timer like hubby, he caught two very large bream fish.
This is where and how my husband officially started getting hooked on fishing.
Visit Point Lookout
Located at the topmost part of North Stradbroke Island, this town boasts scenic coastal views. This is where you can find the famous North Gorge walk, with nice cafes and shops close by.
Take a Dip in the Brown Lake
If you want peace and quiet, then take the time to visit the Brown Lake. It is best to go early in the morning to enjoy some tranquility, as there will be fewer people around. The silky white sand and cool water will leave you feeling refreshed.
This place also has picnic areas for everyone to enjoy.
Do the Gorge Walk
This relaxing 1-2 kilometres boardwalk at Point Lookout is no wonder very popular to visitors. It is a very easy walk, which means you can bring your kids along while enjoying the views of the ocean. If you are lucky, you can spot dolphins and whales during whale season.
Don’t forget to wear a hat and sunscreen prior to doing the walk. In addition, it is best to bring lots of snacks and water, which you can enjoy while resting under the trees or picnic tables while you savour the view.
Relax at Amity Point Campground and Beach
This is where we camped. After setting up our campsite, we let the kids swim and play by the beach. While the little ones were busy building sandcastles, I and a few friends were relaxing under our beach umbrellas with a bottle of wine. Hubby wasted no time fishing until sunset.
At night when it gets quieter, we can hear the waves crashing through the shore, lulling everyone to sleep.
Witness a Beautiful Sunset
We were fortunate enough to pick a waterfront site where we did not have to go anywhere to watch the breathtaking sunset, as it is right in front of us. The jetty at Amity Point plus the sunset makes a jaw-dropping backdrop for us while prepping our dinner.
See the Wildlife Up Close and Personal
We were lucky to spot a couple of dolphins swimming around the jetty on our first night in Amity Point. On top of that, the kids were very excited to see a koala sleeping on a tree. So yes, this place is also a good one to spot some wildlife.
Swim and Surf at Cylinder Beach
Cylinder Beach is one of the many popular beaches in North Stradbroke Island because of its fine white sand as far as the eyes can see. It is also a very popular spot for surfers.
It is any family’s favourite not only because it is patrolled by lifeguards, but also since it has a carpark located only a few meters from the beach. This means transporting your beach trolley full of beach items, snacks and drinks from the carpark to your preferred spot would be no hassle.
Sunbathe at Deadman’s Beach
Our first visit here was very memorable as the girls had an amazing time. It officially became our favourite swimming spot for kids. It had a big but shallow sandbar which was perfect for young kids like ours. They swam all afternoon, giggling and splashing.
Our next visit though was a little bit disappointing for the kids as the sandbar was no longer there. It depends on the tide and probably the season of the year. Despite that, all the kids still had fun swimming and playing along the long shoreline.
Island Activities
If you are young at heart fond of adventurous activities, there are so many things to do on the island such as surfing, taking surfing lessons, cycling, snorkeling, scuba diving, kayaking, stand up paddle boarding, bushwalking and 4WD tours.
The Wrap Up: North Stradbroke Island Camping
Personally, North Stradbroke Island for us ticks all the boxes for a camping trip with the whole family. This is the place where everyone, not just the kids can enjoy.
The beach, nature walks, spotting some wildlife and waking up to the smell of the ocean breeze are just a few of the things we love about Straddie.
We have made it an annual family practice to go camping in North Stradbroke Island. Every year, everyone gets that moment of excitement and anticipation whenever our camping trip to Straddie is drawing near. For us, there will always be something fun and enjoyable to look forward to.
