Location: Stradbroke Island, Queensland, Australia
Summary: I wasn't originally going to do the Stradbroke Island tour because it was an added extra that was quite expensive but some of my Australian friends told me it was a great place and to go. After going there, I was very glad I had it was one of the highlights of my tour of Australia and the first day I really enjoyed myself, previous days I had fun but today was fantastic.
We were picked up at the hotel by two minibuses and had a fairly short trip to the ferry terminal although the weather didn't look too good. When we pulled up at the terminal there were very dark clouds that were threatening heavy rain. We didn't have to wait too long to get on the ferry and were soon on our way. The ferry journey was comfortable and the sky cleared as we made our way to Stradbroke Island.
When we arrived, we were met by our guides, who, as we learnt, were very funny and very good at their jobs. We were taken in two jeeps on our tour, I was in the first jeep and sat up front alongside the driver, the daughter of our tour guide.
Brown Lake
Brown Lake, also known as Bummiera, sits in the Minjerribah protected area, about 4 km east of Dunwich on North Stradbroke Island. Its tea‑brown colour comes from natural tannins in the surrounding melaleuca and tea‑tree bushland, and it’s a peaceful, perched rainwater lake with cultural significance to the Quandamooka people. It’s one of Stradbroke island’s most accessible swimming and picnic spots.
As we drove to the lake our guide told us all about the areas we drove through, it was very interesting. After we parked up our guide pointed out the local fauna and some animals we would have missed if he wasn't there, including a very big ant, a Rhytidponera Metallica, commonly known as the green-head ant, which can be poisonous to humans. Their stings can cause pain, swelling, and redness, and in sensitive individuals, they may lead to allergic reactions or anaphylactic shock. While the venom is generally not life-threatening for most people, it can cause serious health issues in those with specific allergies.
After our tour guide and his daughter, had shown us the flora, fauna and animals he began to make us tea in a metal pot over a small heater. We were told it was perfectly safe to swim in Brown Lake, and I immediately removed my shirt and went for a swim. I was soon joined by Rispa, who like me, loved to swim. As we swam, more of the group splashed around in the water, some swimming, some just paddling and cooling off.
After a short time, we were called back in and fed vegemite sandwiches and given tea. While we ate, we were lucky to see a Laughing Kookaburra perched on a tree branch above us. With the hole in our stomachs somewhat filled we got back in the two jeeps and headed for our next stop.
Amity Point
On the way our driver told us about the places we passed and about Amity Point, where we were going. Being a certain age and going somewhere called Amity Point, all I could think of was the film Jaws.
As we drove closer to our next stop the jeeps pulled over. The guides got everyone out and pointed out the koala bears hanging in the branches that were hanging over the road we were on. I like everyone else was amazed that the guides had seen them as we dove along, until he let us into a little secret. He hadn't spotted the koalas he had spotted the koala bear poo in the road. he told us that the bears stayed where they were for hours and defected over the road. Locals just looked for bear poo rather than the bears.
After we had all taken lots of photos we got back in the jeeps and took a very short drive to Amity Point. We were given about 40 minutes to look around. I walked out onto the jetty at Amity Point and took a few photos before walking back onto one of the nicest beaches I have ever seen. I would seriously consider living in a mobile home at Amity Point if I ever won the lottery. As we would learn, there are shark nets on lots of Australian beaches to make it safe for swimmers and we could see them here at Amity Point Beach. I quickly took my shirt off again and jumped in the sea for another swim. Once again, I was joined by Rispa and I think Colleen joined us as well.
It seemed as if in no time we were heading off in the jeeps to out next stop.
Headland Park
Headland Park is in Point Lookout, on the northeastern tip of North Stradbroke Island (Minjerribah) and was our next stop. It’s a small coastal reserve perched above Main Beach, offering grassy picnic areas, ocean views, and easy access to nearby lookouts and walking tracks. The area is quiet, scenic, and a nice spot to pause between exploring the headlands around Point Lookout.
When we stopped our guides pointed out the coastal path and advised us about the walk and told us to enjoy having a walk on our own and to then return for lunch. As we all walked along the coastal path, they began setting up in a picnic area for lunch. Many of the group raced ahead to see how far they could get but I walked slowly taking photos back along Main beach from our vantage point above it. I must have walked about halfway when a light rain started, and I decided to head back towards the park.
I was one of the first back and sat under the shelter in the park that our lunch was being cooked under. It was fantastic food, even the vegetarian burgers that our guides had made themselves were fantastic tasting, truth to tell they were more flavoursome than the meat burgers. Luckily the light rain soon gave way, and the sun came back out again.
All around the grassy area where we ate, where kangaroos, they hopped about and ate grass as if there was no one there. When I had finished my meal, I approached a bit closer to them to take some photos, and they didn't seem to mind at all. I didn't wander too close in case I upset any and got kicked, they were big kangaroos up close.
Once everyone had finished and everything had been packed away, we left for our next stop.
North Stradbroke Beach
North Stradbroke Beach isn’t an official place name, it’s commonly used to refer to Main Beach, the island’s massive 32km ocean beach running south from Point Lookout down the eastern side of North Stradbroke Island (Minjerribah). It’s a wild, open surf beach backed by dunes and bushland, popular for swimming, fishing, and long coastal walks. The sand highway is also a well‑known 4WD beach drive, you can drive for kilometres along the shoreline at low tide, with soft sand in places and beautiful ocean views the whole way.
When we left Headland Park, we went to North Stradbroke Beach in our 4WD jeeps and went for a ride along the beach. It was breath taking and because I was lucky enough to be sat in the front of the jeep with an open window, I was able to take pictures easily and I also videoed most of our trip along the beach. It reminded me a little of Daytona Beach in Florida but was much nicer and without the tacky tourist hotels bars and main road next to it. I absolutely loved the drive and listening to the sound of the ocean crashing on the beach. Not for the first or last time in Australia, I found somewhere I could spend the rest of my life.
At one point the jeeps stopped and I was able to get out and take more photos of the beach and of the jeeps on the beach. All too quickly it was over and we were soon heading back to the port.
Delayed Ferry
When we got back to the port, we were informed that our ferry had been cancelled due to sea swell and we had to wait a short time for a larger ferry to arrive, which we all got on and headed for the bar. I had a beer on the ferry and sat thinking about the wonderful day I had had at Stradbroke Island. I was so glad I had changed my mind and gone on the trip it was something I will never forget, and I would love to one day go back again and spend longer there.
Once back at the ferry port, we were again picked up by our drivers, luckily, they had been able to come back to collect us after our original transport had been cancelled.
After the drive back to our hotel, I showered quickly and again went to the hotel restaurant for dinner. I felt distinctly under dressed as there were lots of Australian ladies in the bar and restaurant dressed for dinner. Nobody seemed to mind my shorts and polo shirt, and I enjoyed another steak dinner before going to bed.
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