QLD - NORTH STRADBROKE ISLAND - NATURES PARADISE

Affectionately known as North Straddie, this beautiful unspoilt island is located only a 35 minute drive from Brisbane city, or 50 minutes from the fabulous Gold Coast.



The standard and variety of services available for crossing from the mainland to the Island are first class all the way, and include world class fast vehicular ferry and modern Catamarans. These vehicles are a delight to travel on and we should know as we used them.

North Stradbroke Island has three main townships - Point Lookout, Amity Point and Dunwich. All townships are connected by bitumen roads, offering safe swimming spots and scenic walking areas. The view to the island's southern tip showcases Main Beach's 32km stretch of wide sand beaches and surf, swimming and fishing.

The island is the ultimate paradise for the many 4WD enthusiasts who visit each year.

AMITY POINT is a peaceful and pretty little spot on the bayside of the Island. It is the ideal holiday for families, fishermen, boat owners and bush walkers in fact anyone looking for a relaxing stress free destination. The calm crystal clear bay water, where dolphins frolic, pelicans relax and seagulls fly, offers safe swimming, great snorkelling and good fishing and boating. The public jetty is a great fishing spot for kids and is next to the boat ramps and swimming enclosure.

POINT LOOKOUT township is actually a series of beaches and headlands that can be easily explored by foot. From June to November each year, the majestic humpback whales pass the North Gorge Headland on their annual migration from Antarctica to their calving grounds near the Great Barrier Reef. While the calves are still quite young, they begin their southern return journey passing close to the coast.

The best vantage points along the Headlands are within easy walking distance of the major resorts and camping grounds at Point Lookout. You can also spot dolphins, turtles and manta rays from the North Gorge Headlands all year round. The North Gorge offers a breathtaking seascape and when the tide and sea conditions are right, air whistles through a blowhole just like a spouting whale!

Enjoy the stories of the people who work and live in this town, their struggles and victories. These stories include:

Stephanie Dawson, owner of Islands Transport car and passenger ferry service, and her very talented husband Stuart, purchased this company 12 years ago and started out as the skipper and deckhand on the old barges the company owned at that time. They have just completed building their new million dollar terminal facility, whilst their new vessel 'Sea Breeze' a fast, modern and comfortable catamaran, sistership to 'Sea Spirit' currently operating, is under construction. Stuart designs and sells these 'top of the range' car and passenger ferries around the world.

Meet Betty Groom, this amazing business woman is 69 years old. Stradbroke Flyer has been a family affair for over 16 years. We were lucky enough to sample the new addition to their fleet of Catamarans. See the cat's and hear the story behind this amazing business.

We spoke with Suzanne Deed, owner of Amity Bungalows. Her's is a fascinating story of childhood sweethearts who married, had five beautiful children, and took a chance in creating what is today a sought after accommodation experience with a difference.

Straddie Kingfisher Tours and operator Dave and his family introduced our film crew to wonderful footage and information about the unique experiences on offer. Dave took the plunge leaving his job with a mining company and struck gold in more ways than one with Straddie Kingfisher Tours.

Awesome, Wicked and Wild Tours, with Sunny are just that, Sunny has done his homework and has only recently begun with great results. Sunny provided us with an insight into their fishing, bait and canoe adventure tours.

There was a unanimous vote on Point Lookout Pizzas, as being seriously delicious. Owner operator Gary, has a lifestyle many would die for, being an avid surfer by day with the ability to serve up pizzas people happily travel for the chance to enjoy, this taste sensation.

The elopement package captured our attention, we found Straddie Weddings is something very unique and beautiful, our crew managed to make it in time for one of their weddings on the beach and to meet the two young women owners who created this new and unique business.

These are some of the great stories on the everyday people with extraordinary lives on this island paradise.

We found North Stradbroke Island an absolute treasure, it is hard to believe there could be a place so unspoilt so close to a capital city. The people and their stories will capture your imagination. These are people who dared to live their dream, we found everyone of them took a chance and none have looked backed since.

There are so many business and investment opportunities, just ask Redland Shire Council or contact the businesses.