Fact Sheets & Video - North Stradbroke Island

North Stradbroke Island

North Stradbroke Island, the world's second-largest sand island, has a refreshingly small community yet remains big on naturally laid-back charm. Affectionately referred to as "Straddie", one of the best ways to appreciate the local culture is by cruising around this idyllic island hideaway on a motorised scooter. But you have to get there first.

Around one-hour's drive from Brisbane's CBD, access to Straddie is via water taxi or vehicular ferry (or the "barge" as the locals like to call it) from Cleveland. It takes around 50 minutes to reach Dunwich on the western side of the island.

A haven for surfers, including resident and visiting junior and senior pro's, visitors might even catch a glimpse of former local and now pro surfer Bede Durbidge trying out his latest tactics. Currently ranked number 2 in the world, the unassuming Durbidge loves nothing better than to catch up with family and friends, not to mention a few waves when on home soil. Main, Cylinder and Home Beaches are generally the most popular for surfing on the island, with Home Beach being one of the few north-facing beaches in Queensland.

Straddie is also renowned for commercial fish netting and trawling boats. Apparently their oysters, grown predominantly on the bay side of the island, are highly sought after Australia-wide. Prawns, spanner crabs, sand crabs and Moreton Bay bugs are also harvested nearby.

Amity Point on the north western side of the island has a number of fishermen who sell ocean fresh seafood straight from the trawler direct to the public. Rufus King Seafoods offers a wide variety, not to mention some intriguing shark photos on display at their shop.

To complete the leisurely Straddie experience, chill out with a game of Barefoot Bowls at the Point Lookout Bowls Club. This has become a favourite weekly ritual with the locals and visitors alike. Apparently the best time to catch up with the local game is from 4pm when the heat dies down and they've completed their day's fishing.

Conveniently situated next door to the Bowls Club and adjacent to Home Beach, is the Domain Stradbroke Resort, which offers 82 contemporary self-contained beach shacks and villas. Located at Point Lookout, this area is regarded as the most easterly point on the Queensland coast. It's the ideal locale to cook up the fresh catch of the day on the barbie and to pull up a pew and savour the languid island time.

Further Information:

North Stradbroke Island, QLD

3 night package. From $183 a person twin share

Includes daily breakfast, return transfers, 1 day scooter hire

Valid until 19/09/08. First 100 callers

Domain Stradbroke Resort

1800-555-200

Conditions, surcharges and block out dates may apply.

Stradbroke Island Holidays

For further information and bookings on all accommodation, activities and ferry transfers for North Stradbroke Island contact Stradbroke Island Holidays on:

T: 1300 303 766 or visit www.stradbrokeholidays.com.au

Point Lookout Bowls Club

Barefoot Bowls at Point Lookout Bowls Club costs $7 per person and runs seven days per week.

T: (07) 3409 818

www.pointlookoutbowlsclub.com.au

Cleveland Auto Rentals

For scooter hire on North Stradbroke Island call:

T: (07) 3488-0558

www.clevelandautorentals.com.au