Sometimes known as Straddie by people from Brisbane, North Stradbroke Island is the textbook beach holiday. A little more than 30 km (19 miles) southeast of Brisbane and the Gold Coast, it languishes at the south end of Moreton Bay. At 30 km (19 mile) long, it is one of the worlds sand islands, featuring gorgeous beaches, a ragged coastline and inland freshwater lakes.
It lost its aboriginal name of Minijerribah in 1827, when Captain H. J. Rous, or Viscount Dunwich, Commander of the HMS Rainbow, named the sanctuary after his father the Earl of Stradbroke, the main town after his own title, and Rainbow Beach after his vessel.
A clump of three picturesque villages — Dunwich, Amity Point and Point Lookout — act as convivial bases for many of the islands 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 islands 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 impact 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 Straddies single rocky headland it overlooks a set of white beaches. The western side enjoys the calmer waters of the bay and is safer for families. The island is famous for its angling — with the annual Straddie Classic every August being one of Australias richest and best-known fishing competitions.
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