4 Ways to Get to North Stradbroke Island from Brisbane?

If you’re planning an Island trip from Brisbane, one of the first questions you’ll ask is: how do you get to North Stradbroke Island? With ferries, water taxis, and tour options available, there are several ways to make the crossing.

The challenge for many first-time visitors is figuring out which option suits their plans. Do you want to bring your car over for the freedom to explore? Or are you travelling light and prefer the budget-friendly passenger ferry?

That’s why I’ve put together this complete guide. Drawing on my own experiences, I’ll break down each option, vehicle ferries, passenger water taxis, public transport, and even guided tours, so you can decide what works best for your trip.

This post may contain affiliate links that at no additional cost to you, I may earn a small commission. Please read my disclaimer, T&C’s & privacy policy here.

How to Get to North Stradbroke Island?

Getting to North Stradbroke Island (Minjerribah) from Brisbane is easier than you might think, with several transport options depending on your budget, time, and preference.

The journey always begins with making your way to Cleveland, the gateway to the island, where both passenger and vehicle ferries depart. From there, you can choose the option that best suits your travel style, all detailed below.

Here are the main ways you can reach North Stradbroke Island from Brisbane:

• 1. Passenger Ferry & Public Bus – Cheapest Way to explore the sealed areas and hotspots under a hourly loop with the public Bus.
• 2. Guided Day Tours – Convenient for those who prefer everything organised, including transfers, activities, and sightseeing.
• 3. Passenger Ferry & Scooter Combo – Hiring a scooter to get around the sealed areas on the Island with more flexibility than the Public Bus.
• 4. Vehicle Ferry & Taking your Car – Perfect if you want the flexibility of driving your own car around the island, with options of the 4WD tracks.

I’m now going to expand on these options in more detail:

➡ 1 – Passenger Ferry & Public Bus (Cheapest Way)

The cheapest way to get to North Stradbroke Island from Brisbane is to board the Stradbroke Flyer as a passenger for a $22 return and use the island’s provided public Bus transport to get around for $1 for an Adult Daily Ticket (normally $10, or $40 Weekly).

Firstly, ride the Stradbroke Flyer water taxi that departs from the Toondah Harbour in Cleveland, Brisbane, and docks at One Mile Jetty, Yabby Street, Dunwich. These water taxis operate more than ten times throughout the day and can reach the island in just 30 minutes.

Then, from the Dunwich jetty, with a short walk to the nearby public stop and take the bus service to the Point Lookout area. Note that these buses run every hour, but it is common for them to meet the ferry arrivals. Also, know they will only take cash, so make sure you bring some with you. 

It can drop you off at Amity Point (an interchange for another bus service), Adder Rock (near one of the campgrounds), and the end of the line at Point Lookout (a popular hangout). 

Pros:

• Available seven days a week.
• Perfect for budget-conscious week-long visitors.
• Significantly cheaper than hiring a car to travel across the island on the car carrying Ferry.
• The bus stop is only a few minutes walk from the ferry drop-off point and connects to the ferry arrival on most occasions.
• Provide convenient transport to and from Dunwich, Amity Point Interchange, Adder Rock campground and Point Lookout.
• Nothing needs to be booked, and you can just turn up on the day to board the Flyer and Bus service. 

➡  Compare prices for Straddie accommodation HERE with Booking.com

Cons:

• Only accepts cash
• It has limited access to locations along the sealed road areas on the island.
• It may increase travel time due to the number of stops needed.
• Spending so much time waiting for the bus service. 
• More Walking to and from the highlights to the Bus stops.

How to use the Public Transportation?

From the jetty, it’s a short 50 metre walk to the Dunwich public Bus stop.

Since the Ferry’s work on an hourly schedule, the Public Bus Transport does the same and there’ll be generally a bus waiting for you, or certainly not far away.

Please note that while these Buses run under Translink brand, they are not Fitted with the Go Card system you see in Brisbane. It is better too bring some cash along to pay for it too, especially, since it’s only $1 per person for a daily ticket.

This Bus service runs between Dunwich and Mooloomba Rd near the Gorge Walk at Point Lookout.

I suggest planning out your day and what you want to do, whether that swimming, surfing, hiking, going to the pub, or strolling along any of the beach shores.

Honestly the options are endless with different beaches, offering different experiences. This includes One mile Jetty, Mora Springs, the Bus interchange for Amity Point, Adder Rock, Home Beach, Cylinder Beach and different areas of Point Lookout.

If you’re not sure which stop you need, please just chat to the driver and they will help you out. But, if you know where you want to go and plan that around the bus timetable, then you’ll utilise your time and see more in the day.

In our Case, we wanted to check out the Gorge Walk and do some swimming at the beach, so we started by going to the end of the line at Point Lookout and taking it from there.

Do you need to purchase tickets in Advance?

There is no need to purchase your ticket in advance or book seats on the water taxi.

You can either buy the ticket on the boat after you have boarded, or purchase in the little office when you rock up to the terminal. Plus people with Multi-trip passes will just get these marked on the day as well.

I find this makes it heaps easier, especially if you’re planning for a sunny day and have some flexibility around your time schedule. You also don’t have to worry about changes, or getting refunds for cancelled trips.

How many Ferry Services run each day?

The Stradbroke Flyer offers more than ten trips a day to Straddie, but it may increase during school holidays. These leave almost every hour from Cleveland at 5:55am in the morning and leaves from Dunwich at 7:55pm, returning to Brisbane.

The First Bus Service starts at 7:25am from Dunwich (meeting the 6:55am Ferry from Cleveland), and the last service at Point Lookout leaves at 6:10pm. It takes about 30 minutes to get back and forth from Dunwich to Point Lookout, so please factor this into your schedule & timing. 

This is suitable for those budget-friendly travellers who just want a lovely day trip to hang out at the beach. While it is cheap (Comparable to Moreton Island), I do find it limiting for my travel plans and need a little more flexibility to get around. So this is why I have the alternate ways mentioned below to help you pick. 

➡ 2 – Book an Organised Tour

If you find commuting on the island a hassle or time-consuming, you can join an organized tour to reach certain places on North Stradbroke Island conveniently. Think of it as touring the whole island while having someone take care of the logistics for you.

➡  Find Island Tours HERE with GYG, or HERE with Viator.

There are several operators that also leave from Cleveland Terminal and then offer a day trip tour on the island. Depending on the tour operator, day trip tours travel across the island via private buses or 4WDs. Most of these also include complimentary meals or snacks to participants.

I would say this option is best for day trip visitors who want to make the most of their time and seek local knowledge about the Island and its residents.

Pros:

• Offers visitors complimentary meals or snacks on board.
• Visitors get to learn the historical and cultural background of the places they visit.
• Provides convenient and hassle-free transportation to different areas of the island.
• Allows visitors to see some areas that DIY travellers may not be able to discover on their own.
• Meet other like-minded people.
• Some offer pick-up & drop-off from Brisbane City locations. 

Cons:

• Significantly pricier than travelling on your own.
• It may be limiting in terms of how many hours visitors can spend on specific locations or activities.
• They tend to have a fixed and tight schedule, which can be exhausting and a long day moving around. 

➡ 3 – Passenger Ferry & Scooter

Do you prefer travelling on your own time and pace but need a little more flexibility than using the Public Bus service? Then, I recommend hiring a scooter for around $85 per day to get around Straddie on a day trip. 

This option is perfect for those who want to visit secluded areas (minus the 4WD beaches) and drive around the island in the most exciting and fun way!

Once you arrive at the ferry drop-off location, you can ride the public bus to Adder Rock Campground and hire a 50cc scooter from the available shop.

However, I do recommend that you book the scooters in advance to avoid disappointment (especially on weekends and busy school holidays).

Pros:

• Gives a fun and thrilling way to ride across the island
• Provides a private and convenient service to visitors.
• Allow visitors to tour the island at their own pace and time
• It can get visitors to most areas of the island, except the 4WD ones. 

➡  Compare prices for Straddie accommodation HERE with Booking.com

Cons:

• Only available for those who have a license or P Plate.
• It can cost even more if any damage has occurred to the scooter.
• Hiring a scooter costs more than commuting on Public Transport.
• Requires a $100 security deposit (refundable), which can be too pricey for some travellers.

Do you need help planning your trip to Queensland? Book a one-on-one consultation call with me, to get your questions answered & personalised help!

➡ 4 – Take your Own Car or Hire One

Finally, you can take your own car or hire one to tour Stradbroke Island. However, this opens up a lot more choices for activities, especially when taking over a four wheel drive

We have done this a few times, but taking a vehicle over on the SeaLink Car ferry can also cost anything between $100 to $300 return. Therefore, I feel this is more cost-effective when you’re staying longer than a day trip and maybe trying out the beach camping.

➡Find your favourite brand & compare prices for your Rental Car HERE

Deciding on a 4WD (high Clearance) vehicle can add other complexities, like knowing how to drive on the soft sand or recovering from being bogged.

Not only that, but considering the extra insurance costs, the risk of vehicle damage from beach driving and securing a car permit to drive on the beach. Obviously, this is not something I would recommend unless you have done a lot of similar four-wheel driving in the past. 

Pros:

• Allows visitors to travel on the island on their own time and pace.
• It can get visitors to some of the secluded areas on the island.
• Provide opportunities to experience a fun driving experience on the beach.

Cons:

• Costs the most compared to the above options.
• Users are liable for any damage that occurs on the hired car during rental.
• Transporting a vehicle from the mainland to Straddie costs a fortune and requires advance booking.

How to get to Cleveland boat terminal?

What if you don’t have your own transport, how are you suppose to get to the Cleveland Boat Terminal? Well, this is where the Brisbane Public Transport system will help you out.

You have an option to train it to Cleveland Station and connect with a bus to the Terminal but you will have to walk about 600 metres to the ferry terminal.

But, there is an even better way, since the Stradbroke Flyer operates a free bus service from the Cleveland Train Station ( or the Commonwealth bank on Middle St) and picks you up about 15 minutes before the generally ferry timetable leaves from the harbour.

Just look out for “Stradbroke Flyer” written on the side of the bus, and you’ll be in the right place.

Is there Parking at the terminal?

If you have your own car, there is parking at the Ferry terminal, but this can be few and far between. There are several car parks and good news that these are all free. But, they are relatively full most the time and you should expect to park a short distance away.

On this occasion, we were very lucky to snag a park in the first section, but not sure these ones are suitable for larger cars. I wouldn’t say there are “secure” parking, but we’ve never encountered any issues previously.

But, I wouldn’t be leaving valuables in the car while your away for the entire day!

Where to Stay?

Fixed Accommodation

Fortunately, there are heaps of accommodation options on North Stradbroke Island, providing tourists with options for a safe and comfortable stay. Depending on your budget and preference, you can book a hotel room or serviced apartments in Dunwich, Amity Point, Home Beach or Point Lookout. 

➡  Compare prices for Straddie accommodation HERE with Booking.com

I reviewed the Anchorage Beach resort in front of Home Beach, during one of our visits and absolutely loved it. While it wasn’t within walking distance of Point Lookout, I found it a little more budget-friendly than other options. 

However, if you prefer staying in luxurious accommodations with top-notch facilities and services, get a beachfront villa at Point Lookout, where also most of the crowds hang out.

Camping

If you love camping or would like to try it for the first time, there are dedicated campgrounds at Flinders Beach (north side of the island) and Main Beach (East of the island). Matt and I have camped at Flinders Beach during one of our trips, and it was phenomenal going to sleep with the sound of the waves (My Happy Place for sure)!

There are also caravan parks and glamping tents in these areas for people who would like a more comfortable camping experience. I suggest that you book your camping reservation ahead of time to secure slots and Camping and Beach permits.

What are the best things to do there?

North Stradbroke Island is dubbed by many as an island paradise for many reasons. Aside from its stunning landscapes and views, it offers various land and water activities that keep visitors occupied and entertained throughout the day. Here are some of my favourite activities at Straddie that I also recommend you try during your trip!

• Fish with the locals at Amity Pier
• Dip into the rock pools at Frenchman’s Beach
• Slide down on a toboggan board at Deadman’s Beach
• Meet manta rays while scuba diving at Manta Bommie
• Take a leisurely stroll at North Gorge or South Gorge Boardwalk

• Visit the phenomenal Brown Lake or Myora Springs for freshwater swimming
• Ride the waves at Main Beach, Cylinder Beach, or the South Gorge swimming area
• Admire the stunning ocean views on different beaches on North Stradbroke Island
• Take a walk around the island and spot various wildlife like kangaroos, koalas, whales, sea turtles, and more.

Is the Island Walkable?

North Stradbroke Island is 38 kilometres long and 11 kilometres wide, so walking from end to end of the island may not be feasible. Also, the ferry drop-off location is 18 kilometres from Point Lookout, so riding a bus or driving a car is necessary to get around.

Why is North Stradbroke so famous?

North Stradbroke Island is famous not only because of its close proximity to Brisbane but also because of its pristine beaches and untouched nature. 

About 50% of the island, called the Naree Budjong Djara National Park, is protected by the Quandamooka people. These people have been living and protecting the island for over 21,000 years.

Aside from its rich cultural background, Straddie is also famous for its surfing and scuba diving sites. Plus, its off-grid campground that provides a different and thrilling experience to visitors.

Wrap Up!

Straddie is just one of many beautiful islands accessible to Brisbane. Therefore, I hope this blog has provided you not only with the cheapest way to get to North Stradbroke Island, but also information about other ways that might be better suited to your situation. 

If you want to add more islands to your travel bucket list, check out my other blogs about Queensland islands to help with your planning and research. Otherwise, you can look into my articles on Brisbane.

• Moreton Island Vs Fraser Island – Which one is better to visit?
• Is Hamilton Island Worth Visiting & the Best things to do?
• Best Things to do on Bribie Island
• Lady Musgrave Island Vs Lady Elliot Island – Which to visit?
• Exposing the Downsides to a Great Barrier Reef Pontoon Tour
• Tips to know BEFORE planning a Queensland Road Trip
• Things to see on a Brisbane to Cairns Road trip
• Best Place to Snorkel the Great Barrier Reef