Short Breaks on South Stradbroke Island
Guide
By Jamie Wilton
The other ‘Straddie’
The lesser-frequented of the Stradbroke Islands that lie a short distance from Brisbane and the Gold Coast, South Stradbroke Island, or “South Straddie” as it’s known to locals, delivers isolation in exquisite natural surroundings. Not to mention, the opportunity to explore practically unpeopled beaches, freshwater marshlands, rolling dunes and prehistoric rainforests just 500 metres from the mainland and the glitz and glamour of the Gold Coast.
Many people are surprised to learn that South Stradbroke is a car-free island but what you may find even more surprising is that until the 1890s, there weren’t two “Straddies” but one, with violent storms cutting the island in two. The wreck of the Cambus Wallace in 1894 also contributed to the rift between the two after its cargo of dynamite was exploded as a safety precaution, which gouged away even more sand and further separated the two islands.
With over 30 kilometres of white sand beaches, including a 22-kilometre surf beach that’s made the island understandably popular with surfers, bodyboarders and stand-up paddleboarders, South Stradbroke truly is an incredible beach destination to escape to, a serene and practically undisturbed island paradise where wallabies — including the golden wallaby which is only found on South Straddie — and kangaroos hop along the beach at sunrise and sunset, and a diverse and often surprising array of wildlife is found. Bandicoots, echidnas and a variety of lizards are common sights, and you may even spot a koala lazing in the gums as you explore the island and its diversity of habitats. Hundreds of bird species call the island home and there’s also a variety of marine life to look out for, including dolphins, dugongs and whales.
Photo by @akheelmavjee
As the 1800-hectare conservation park is so close to the mainland, it’s a popular day trip from the Gold Coast with most visitors popping over from one of the several departure terminals on a day tour. There are a variety of day tours to join, including tours through Sea World and Couran Cove Resort, along with kayak and jet ski tours and even seaplane flights that deliver views across the Gold Coast and beyond. Other day trip options include hiring a boat (with or without a skipper) or water taxi, or if you’re feeling adventurous, kayaking or jet skiing across from the mainland.
What to do on South Stradbroke Island
In addition to surfing, swimming, bushwalking, whale watching (June to October), boating, jet skiing and fishing are all popular activities on South Stradbroke, but as it’s a conservation park, it’s important to be aware of the restrictions in place to protect the local environment and its flora and fauna. This means if you’re on the water, you’ll need to adhere to the rules in the ‘go slow and no anchoring’ areas, and follow the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries rules and guidelines around bag limits and size and seasonal restrictions.
With a variety of dart, bream, flathead and tailor to cast from the beach and a range of reef and surface-feeding fish from the water, South Straddie is, understandably, an angler’s paradise, with many enthusiasts heading over from the mainland to spend a day trying their luck.
Photo by @djchloewilson
While you can’t drive around the tranquil ‘car-free’ island, Couran Cove Resort offers 4WD tours (approximately 1½ hours) that take you to Jumpinpin Bar, where the North and South Stradbroke islands meet, or around the surf beaches at the southern tip near the Gold Coast Seaway. The resort also offers bicycle hire, which is a great way to explore the interior of the island with its multitude of tracks that wind through myriad landscapes. Plenty of short walks are available and range from 600 metres to 1,600 metres return, though you can also set off on your own and traverse the island quite comfortably — while it’s 21 kilometres from top to tail, it’s only 2.5 kilometres across at its widest point.
South Stradbroke accommodation options
Unlike its more developed and frequented sibling to the north, Couran Cove Island Resort provides the only resort-style accommodation on South Stradbroke Island. There are a wealth of accommodation options here, from studios and one-bedroom apartments through to eco-lodges and 4-bedroom villas, so whether you’re holidaying as a couple, family or group, you’re sure to find something that ticks all your boxes. Located on the calm side of the island facing the Gold Coast in a natural lagoon setting, the resort offers a wide range of facilities and amenities to keep kids and big kids alike entertained when you’re not out exploring the natural delights the island delivers in abundance.
While there’s no camping available within the South Stradbroke Island Conservation Park, the Gold Coast City Council operates three campgrounds on South Straddie — South Currigee Campground, North Currigee Campground and Tipplers Campground, with South Currigee and Tipplers offering self-contained cabin accommodation in addition to campsites.
North and South Currigee campgrounds are located at the south of the island around a protected inlet that offers exceptional views of the water, with 80 campsites available. South Currigee also offers huts that sleep up to four and 2-bedroom cabins that sleep up to six, and there are barbecue areas, a playground and amenities to ensure a comfortable stay on this paradisiacal sand island seemingly a stone’s throw from the hustle and bustle of the Gold Coast. It’s well worth noting that these campsites are some distance from the ferry and that South Currigee is located 2.2 kilometres south of North Currigee, so if you’re making way from the ferry to your campsite on foot, keep your camping gear simple and don’t bring more than you need to.
Also located right on the beach but to the north of the ferry, Tipplers Campground offers a range of waterfront campsites along with self-contained cabins. Like the Currigee campgrounds, Tipplers offers exceptional views of the water and one of the best locations you’ll find anywhere to enjoy a waterfront sunset, complete with a fire courtesy of the fire pits that are provided with each campsite.
Eating out and food
You’ll definitely need to bring provisions for your South Stradbroke Island stay, though there are kiosks offering basic staples and there’s a few dining options when you want to eat out. Couran Cove Island Resort is the top choice here with its selection of restaurants and bars, including fine dining at Marlin Restaurant & Bar, pasta, steak, burgers and seafood at Poolside Bar and Grill, and the aptly-named Sunset Beach Club, which is an exceptional spot to take in a sunset over the Broadwater with a cool drink in hand. Tipplers Licensed Café at Tippler Campground is open for dine-in and takeaway meals for breakfast, lunch and dinner, and offers quite an extensive menu with vegetarian, vegan and low-gluten options available.
Photo by @tipplers.cafe
Getting there and away
How to get to South Stradbroke island? While South Straddie isn’t as easily accessible as North Straddie and as it’s car-free there isn’t a vehicle ferry, but you do have a few options when looking at how to get there and away. From the departure terminals at Hope Harbour, Couran Cove Island Resort runs a ferry for both guests and non-guests which takes approximately 40 minutes, and ferry transfers are also available with Tippler Ferry which departs from Jacob's Well or Runaway Bay Shopping Village. Bookings are essential with both services, so be sure to book in advance.
You also have the option of arranging transportation by private boat, local cruise boat or water taxi. Another option is to make your way there by jet ski or kayak, popular options among daytrippers as the island is so close to the mainland, or if you feel like splurging on transport, you can arrange for a seaplane to take you there.
