A Day Trip to Stradbroke Island

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So you've decided to take a break away from the workaday world on one of Brisbane's beautiful nearby islands, but what can you cram into one day? Lots!

Stradbroke Island comes under Redland City Council's jurisdiction.


It can be reached by the car and passenger ferry, the Big Red Cat. If you want a really full day of fun and adventure, catch the 9.00am, or even the 7.00am, Cat. For full information go to the Big Red Cat website .


If you set out early you don't need to skip breakfast. There is a great café onboard where a wide selection of food is available, including piping hot beverages.


Dunwich is your first port of call, where you can head straight for the Island Fruit Barn.


Here you can catch up on breakfast, stock up on fresh fruit and veg and unusual deli items, or break for a coffee and cake.




The friendly owner, Sonia, has been immortalised in sculpture, or rather parts of her have been, as this lovely work of art is a composite of all staff at the Island Fruit Barn. It is a tribute by the sculptor to the friendly service experienced by all patrons.




Are you feeling a little stressed out by your early start to the day? Never mind. The spa at the Straddie Hotel will soon put you at ease. . Book ahead for the day spa online on their website .


You can follow that up with a cool drink at the bar overlooking the ocean.


Now for a good walk to bring you back to earth once more. Barefoot Dave of Straddie Eco and Adventure Tours will waltz you around the Point Lookout Gorge track, pointing out nature's wonders enroute. As a long time Straddie resident, Dave is a mine of information on its natural wonders.






Of course you are feeling a bit peckish after all that exercise, but Dave has this well in hand. How about a beach barbecue with the casuarinas and the rolling ocean as your backdrop? Dave is so keen on having you relax, he refuses all offers of help, except for the passing around of the delicious snags and salads. Dave's customised tours can be booked at Straddie Kingfisher Tours .


Now you are feeling truly relaxed away from the workaday world, but it is time to exercise the brain cells as well as the body, with some local history. The Stradbroke Island Historical society, run by enthusiastic volunteers, has prepared heritage trails for Point Lookout, Amity Point, and Dunwich. Go to the Stradbroke Island website to prepare for an historic walk around Dunwich, taking in the Dunwich cemetery. Stradbroke has a sad history of institutions, and over 8,000 of their inhabitants are buried in the picturesque grounds.




Before catching the 6.00pm barge, pick up a takeaway dinner of fish and chips. It's time to leave, tired but happy, after a full day of the Stradbroke Experience.

Have you missed out on anything? Of course. For more on Straddie's attractions, go to Stradbroke Island website .

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