Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
NORTH STRADBROKE ISLAND
Affectionately called “Straddie'' by the locals, the island was once home to a large
Aboriginal population and still retains much of their history. Dunwich was later
used as a convict outstation, a Catholic mission, quarantine station, and benev-
olent institution. The historical museum at Dunwich has a display of historic
photographs, items salvaged from shipwrecks, and information about the early
settlement of the island; it's open from 10am to 2pm Wednesdays and Satur-
days. A self-guided historical walk begins at the information center, where you
can pick up a free map. A “must” for all visitors is the North Gorge Headlands
Walk, for breathtaking views and for spotting turtles, dolphins, and whales.
GETTING THERE & GETTING AROUND Stradbroke Ferries
(
&
07/
3286 2666
) operates a water-taxi service from Toondah Harbour, Middle Street,
Cleveland, to Dunwich (about 30 min.) for A$11 (US$7.15) return (round-trip)
adult fare. The vehicle barge takes walk-on passengers for A$8.50 (US$5.50)
return (this takes about 1 hr.). A bus service meets almost every water taxi or ferry,
and operates between the three main settlements, Dunwich, Amity, and Point
Lookout. The trip takes about 30 minutes to either place and costs A$8.60
(US$5.60) for adults.
VISITOR INFORMATION
The
Tourist Information Centre
(
&
07/3409
9555
) is on Junner Street, Dunwich (about 200m/656 ft. from the ferry termi-
nal), and is open weekdays from 8:30am to 5pm and weekends 9am to 3pm.
SOUTH STRADBROKE ISLAND
A turn-of-the-20th-century shipwreck (with a cargo of whiskey and explosives)
weakened the link between this lovely island and North Stradbroke, and nature
did the rest. South Stradbroke is less well known than its sister island, but that's
changing. There are four camping grounds and three resorts on the island. South
Stradbroke Island is accessible from Runaway Bay near Southport, at the Gold
Coast—about a 45-minute drive south of Brisbane city.
GETTING THERE & GETTING AROUND
From Brisbane, take the
Pacific Highway exit after Dreamworld (exit 57), follow signs to Sanctuary
Cove/Hope Island and to the marina. The resorts run boats for guests only, so
the only other way to get there is by water taxi.
Gold Coast Water Taxi
(
&
0418 759 789
) takes groups to the campgrounds and resorts for about A$10
(US$6.50) per person (minimum of six people plus camping gear, if necessary).
Couran Cove Island Resort
(
&
1800/632 211
or 07/5597 9000) runs day
tours from A$55 (US$36) per person which includes return transfers from Run-
away Bay, morning tea, guided rainforest tour, lunch, and use of resort facilities.
Fastcat leaves Runaway Bay at 10am, and you can return on the 3 or 5pm boat.
MORETON ISLAND
At more than 200 sq. km (78 sq. miles), Moreton is the second-largest sand mass
in the world (after Queensland's Fraser Island) and has the world's largest sand-
hill, Mt. Tempest. There are three settlements and the Tangalooma Wild Dolphin
Resort, where guests and visitors on an extended day cruise can take part in hand-
feeding a pod of wild dolphins which come in to the jetty each evening. More-
ton has other claims to fame. For instance, you can visit the 42-hectare (104-acre)
“desert” and toboggan down the sand dunes. Or you can snorkel around the 12
wrecks just north of the resort, and visit historic points of interest including the
sandstone lighthouse at Cape Moreton, built in 1857. A four-wheel-drive vehicle
