North Stradbroke Island - Straddie at Its Best
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Affectionately known as Straddie by people from Brisbane, North Stradbroke Island is the classic beach get-away. A little more than 30 km (19 miles) southeast of Brisbane and the Gold Coast, it is located at the southern end of Moreton Bay. At 30 km (19 mile) long, it is one of the world’s largest, boasting beautiful beaches, a rugged coastline and inland freshwater lakes.
It lost its original name of Minijerribah in 1827, when Captain H. J. Rous, or Viscount Dunwich, Commander of the HMS Rainbow, named the isle after his father the Earl of Stradbroke, the main town after his own title, and Rainbow Beach after his ship.
A clump of three picturesque villages — Dunwich, Amity Point and Point Lookout — act as pleasant bases for many of the island’s local and international visitors.
Dunwich was once a penal colony and quarantine station, and, as is often the case, its cemetery is a telling record of the island’s historical past. At Point Lookout, the aptly named Whale Rock is the best spot from which to scan the vast oceans in search of migrating humpback whales, dolphins and turtles.
In the 1960s, sand mining operations began to change on the fragile island eco-system, but by the 1990s environmental issues came to the fore and half of the island became a national park. Mining is still very active on the island, but mainly away in the restricted southern end.
Point Lookout on the eastern surf side of the island is a natural draw-card. Spreading across Straddie’s single rocky headland it overlooks a string of white beaches. The western side enjoys the calmer waters of the bay and is safer for swimming. The island is famous for its angling — with the annual Straddie Classic’ every August being one of Australia’s richest and best-known fishing competitions.
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