Travels around Brisbane # 1

Hello from another member of the ICML 2009 social committee.

As a long-term resident of South-East Queensland, I’m lucky to regularly visit some of the great beach locations within a short distance of the area. One of my all time favourites is Straddie (North Stradbroke Island). I’ve been going there for over twenty-five years and although the buildings and shops are becoming a little more upmarket, the island is not overdeveloped. Its beautiful, natural landscape endures and dominates, so it remains a place to unwind and relax and get around in daggy beach gear (see photo below).

What to do and where to stay:
There are three main townships on the island which offer accommodation ranging from camping and cabins, rental properties to luxury resorts. The area around Point Lookout, (Queensland’s most easterly point), is where I usually stay. Cylinder Beach offers swimming under the watchful eye of life-savers and shady spots for delicate skins, (the one time I lament my Scottish ancestry). I’ve never failed to spot dolphins and turtles when I do the North Gorge walk. I recommend binoculars because late August is a perfect time for whale watching. Deadman’s beach, (don’t let the name put you off), offers spots to fish and paddle amongst the rock-pools (see photo). If you’re feeling energetic, you can climb one of the sand dunes. If you prefer to swim in freshwater, Brown Lake and Blue Lake, not far from Dunwich, offer picturesque swimming spots.

How to get there:
It’s a hop, skip and a jump to the island. If you leave from the Brisbane CBD it takes approximately forty minutes by car, (allow longer for peak hour traffic), or one hour by train to the mainland jumping off point, Cleveland. From there, it’s a thirty minute water-taxi ride on Stradbroke ferries or the Flyer. You disembark at the settlement of Dunwich and can catch the Island bus to Amity point (11 kms) or Point Lookout (20 kms). If you plan to take a vehicle, you’ll need to catch one of the vehicular ferries Stradbroke Ferries or the Big Red Cat .

Have a great time!

[Posted on behalf of Kaye]