Holiday houses in South Stradbroke Island

Off the Gold Coast of Queensland, South Stradbroke Island is often referred to as South Straddie, or its Indigenous name of Minjerribah. Only a few hundred metres from the mainland, it’s accessible via a private boat, ferry, or water taxi, and is the most southern sand island in Moreton Bay.

South Stradbroke is made up mostly of sand dunes, though there’s also rainforests, mangroves, and mudflats to explore. It’s a gorgeous location for spotting wildlife, including Australia’s only colony of golden swamp wallabies, and you can also often see humpback whales passing by between July and October. The eastern side of the island has a decent surf break and is popular with wave riders and jet-skiers, while the calmer, western side is an ideal spot for boating or fishing. There are also plenty of great places around South Stradbroke to simply relax and watch the sunset.

South Stradbroke island is a pleasant place to visit at any time of year. Summer is the most popular season, especially over the school holidays, with daily temperatures usually hovering around 26 degrees Celsius. Humidity can be high and it’s common to have thunderstorms after long, hot summer days. Autumn is a lovely time to visit, when it’s cooler and drier but the water is still warm enough for a dip. Spring is also quite mild, with average temperatures of around 23 degrees, but days can be windy. Even winter is fairly mild on Stradbroke Island, with temperatures rarely dipping below 20 degrees in the middle of the day.

Quandamooka history

The island has a long Indigenous history, starting with the Quandamooka people, who lived here some 21,000 years prior to European settlement. Today, there are local tour operators who can take you on a guided walk of the island, and teach you about the Quandamooka people, including their approach to medicine and hunting techniques.

North Gorge Walk

There’s no more efficient way to experience the unspoiled beauty of South Stradbroke Island than by taking the North Gorge Walk — a 1-kilometre trek that starts at Point Lookout and runs along the headland. The views from here are spectacular, and you’re likely to see all kinds of marine life, including whales, dolphins, manta rays, and turtles.

Wildlife spotting

Nature looms large on this island, and there are plenty of ways to appreciate the native wildlife from a safe distance. See a colony of golden swamp wallabies that congregate around the North Gorge Walk, as well as koalas hiding in the trees. There’s a good chance you’ll see dolphins at the jetty at Amity Point at sunrise and sunset. Throughout winter and spring, you can also often see migrating humpback whales.