Often known as Straddie by the locals, North Stradbroke Island is the textbook beach get-away. A little more than 30 km (19 miles) southeast of Brisbane and the Gold Coast, it is located at the south end of Moreton Bay. At 30 km (19 mile) long, it is one of the world’s biggest, offering clean beaches, a ragged coast and inland freshwater streams.

It lost its aboriginal name of Minijerribah in 1827, when Captain H. J. Rous, or Viscount Dunwich, Commander of the HMS Rainbow, named the island after his father the Earl of Stradbroke, the main town after his own title, and Rainbow Beach after his vessel.

A cluster of three picturesque villages — Dunwich, Amity Point and Point Lookout — act as convivial bases for many of the island’s local and international visitors.

Dunwich was once a prison 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 attraction. Spreading across Straddie’s single rocky headland it overlooks a chain of bleached beaches. The western side enjoys the calmer waters of the bay and is safer for boating. 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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