| Any time is a good time to visit Stradbroke, one | | | | right around 'The Gorge', which fills up and |
| of the world's largest sand islands. With its | | | | empties mega tonnes of water every few |
| magnificent beaches, white sandy 4WD tracks | | | | minutes. The pounding waves and mass of |
| throughout the island and incredible views it has | | | | surging water has to be seen to be believed. Be |
| everything to offer the adventurous driver who is | | | | prepared for lots of sea spray! There are a |
| looking for the freedom to go off the beaten | | | | number of seats placed throughout the walk as |
| track. | | | | well as flat rocky outcrops which are a perfect |
| Located in South East Queensland at the southern | | | | position to enjoy the panoramic ocean views. |
| region of Moreton Bay, you can access | | | | After lots of photos and pointing at dolphins and |
| Stradbroke by taking the ferry across from | | | | whales, we drove further down to Cylinder Beach |
| Cleveland. Stradbroke Ferries is one of the most | | | | camping grounds. This would be the best campsite |
| popular operators, and the average cost is just | | | | on the island for families, as it is situated directly |
| over $100 return for a family. Permits are $33 | | | | in front of a flat beach with lots of small pools for |
| and last for a year. You need these to access the | | | | the children to play in, and also has a large |
| beaches and restricted 4WD tracks throughout | | | | playground and toilet facilities. It is close to |
| the island. | | | | everything you need and very clean. |
| We visited in the middle of winter, and by late | | | | Amity Point is the most populated township on |
| morning all we needed was a tee shirt, shorts and | | | | the other side of the island, but before you reach |
| thongs. Beautiful! The first stop was to Brown | | | | it take the turn into Cylinder Beach. You will be |
| Lake, its fresh water named because of the | | | | rewarded by more fantastic four wheel driving on |
| colour seepage from the surrounding tea trees. | | | | more compacted sand which gives you a |
| There is a park and plenty of sand for the | | | | completely different experience. There were |
| children to play in close to the waters edge. | | | | plenty of inland 4WD tracks which tested our |
| The next stop was Blue Lake, further into the | | | | driving skills in many ways. |
| centre of the island. It is the larger of the two, | | | | We reached Amity and found a unique jetty close |
| but cannot be accessed by 4WD. We had to | | | | to the Amity Point Camping Ground. With |
| abandon our vehicles and trudge for about 45 | | | | fishermen in all directions, this is the best place to |
| minutes to finally reach a viewing platform. The | | | | set up if you are keen for a few bites. Next to |
| water was the same colour as Brown Lake, and | | | | the jetty there was a sealed off swimming area |
| there wasn't as much for the children to do here. | | | | perfect for kids, and also more pelicans than I had |
| Brown Lake was by far our favourite. | | | | ever seen, all wandering close to the waters edge. |
| Driving onwards, we reached Main Beach in no | | | | We headed back onto the main road, and the |
| time, changed gears into 4WD and roared onto | | | | first turn to the left (don't miss it as it is almost |
| the sand. It was spectacular. The waves were | | | | hidden from view) we found the best track yet |
| curling into perfect barrels, and there was hardly | | | | that ran through the entire island. Meandering |
| anyone on the beach which made it even more | | | | through the heart of north Stradbroke, we also |
| inviting. We coasted along the edge of the water | | | | discovered a number of smaller tracks that once |
| for about five minutes until we stopped to enjoy | | | | again tested our driving skills and took us further |
| the views and also let the kids play for a while. | | | | into the island. There were steep ascents and |
| There are plenty of sand dunes along the edge of | | | | descents, and a few oncoming vehicles as it there |
| the beach which make for great jumps! | | | | is only ever one track. You can see the ocean on |
| We reached the headland and headed back inland | | | | both sides from the main track, as well as the |
| to visit Point Lookout. This is the central tourist | | | | rest of the island stretching out to protected |
| strip and offers some great fish and chip and | | | | national park, inaccessible to tourists. |
| convenience shops, with a number of souvenirs | | | | Back at Dunwich we waited for the ferry to |
| available. After lunch by the park, we were in for | | | | come just in time to watch the sunset. Every |
| a treat. We started for the walk to the lookout, | | | | moment on the island was magical. Stradbroke |
| and just before we arrived we spotted a pod of | | | | offers an abundance of wildlife, marine life and |
| close to twenty dolphins surfing the breakers just | | | | incredible coastal scenery as well as an abundance |
| below. Further along we reached the lookout, and | | | | of four wheel drive tracks that were everything |
| tourists pointed whales out to us further towards | | | | we expected. We boarded the ferry with plenty |
| the horizon! More treats than we expected that's | | | | of stories to tell and began making plans for our |
| for sure! | | | | next 4WD and camping adventure to Stradbroke, |
| There is an excellent walking track that takes you | | | | this time for a week. |