YOUR GUIDE TO EXPLORING BRISBANE’S ISLANDS
Jump on a ferry, charter a boat, join a tour, explore solo, drive across or wade out at low tide
Story courtesy of Visit Brisbane
You’ve probably heard of Moreton, Bribie and North Stradbroke Island — but what about Peel, St Helena and King? Visitors fly from around the world in search of islands as idyllic as those on Brisbane’s coastline: paradise is on your doorstep.
From the July/August issue of the Inspiring Vacations Magazine. Click below to see more or scroll down to keep reading.
Moreton Island
Just 25km off Brisbane’s shore lies the third-largest sand island in the world. Moreton is mostly protected national park, with less than 100 residents calling the island home. The world-famous Tangalooma Wrecks are sunk just offshore, plus there are surf beaches, freshwater lakes, giant sand dunes, a historic lighthouse and wartime bunkers to explore, campgrounds to pitch a tent, Mount Tempest to climb and wild dolphin feeding nightly.
With no bitumen roads, either take your 4WD over on the Micat Ferry and tackle the sand yourself or join a tour company such as Australian Sunset Safaris or TangaTours to get around plus go snorkelling, kayaking and more. Alternatively, catch the ferry to Tangalooma Island Resort and enjoy the facilities and activities.
North Stradbroke Island
With seemingly endless white sandy surf beaches, scenic rocky headlands, quaint villages and the freshest of fresh seafood, it’s easy to see why locals love it and visitors swear to go back again. It’s also the second-largest sand island in the world and only 60 minutes from Brisbane CBD.
Straddie (as it is known to locals) is home to three villages: Amity Point, Dunwich and Point Lookout. Take your car across on the ferry that leaves from Cleveland or just take yourself and use the local bus service. Must-dos include walking the picturesque North Gorge Walk (spot migrating whales from here in season; late May to early November), swim the beaches or take a surf lesson, grab a gourmet ice cream, eat seafood from Rufus King Seafoods and take a dip at the imaginatively named Brown Lake or Blue Lake.
Bribie Island
The easiest to access, there is no excuse not to drive across the bridge to Bribie and experience a slice of island life. Bribie is separated from the mainland by a waterway known as Pumicestone Passage. This protected marine park is a haven for wildlife and runs for 35 kilometres alongside the island. Hire a barbeque boat, kayak or windsurf, bird watch, pump for yabbies, swim or just relax here.
Bribie is part suburbia and part national park. On the eastern side of the island, the township of Woorim is home to surf beaches and cafes; the south-west has the Bribie Island Seaside Museum, restaurants and parkland; and to the north is 4WD or boat accessible national park with camping facilities.
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St Helena Island
Explore Queensland’s first penal settlement and experience tales of prison life and hardships on St Helena. This island is a national park 6km off the coast of Brisbane and two tour companies (Cat-o-Nine-Tails Cruises or Brisbane Cruises) run entertaining day tours and night ghost tours that explore the 19th-century stone ruins.
If you fancy travelling solo, you can moor a private boat and explore yourself.
Peel Island
Located between North Straddie and the mainland, Peel is a small heritage-listed island about 4km offshore. Known as Teerk Roo Ra National Park, the island has two spots open to the public — Horseshoe Bay and Platypus Bay. Horseshoe features spectacular sandstone outcrops, while Platypus is home to shipwrecks great for snorkelling around. Access to the island is by private boat and you can book a camping spot.
Most of the island is off-limits to the public to help preserve interesting historic remains, including the lazaret on the north-west corner. Opened in 1907, it housed leprosy patients for 52 years and is the only intact example of a multiracial lazaret in Australia. Prior to this, (1874–1890s) the island was a quarantine station.
Walk over to…
King Island
Walk to King Island — about 1km offshore — from Wellington Point at low tide along a narrow sandbank. Throw a line from the jetty, climb the fig trees or just watch sailboats float by. Keep an eye out for blue soldier crabs and other marine wildlife.
Other islands in the area…
There are a few more little islands in the Moreton Bay area that are popular with those fond of boating and fishing, thanks to the diverse marine life they attract. Cobby Cobby, Short, Eden, Mud, Green and Crab don’t boast activities and attractions aplenty, but they have a secluded charm that means you can play intrepid explorer.
Want to see more articles like this? Click here for our July / August issue of the Inspiring Vacations magazine, along with previous issues.
