Going on a Day Trip to Stradbroke Island From the Gold Coast

For a fantastic day trip from the Gold Coast you can’t go past the Stradbroke Islands, with both islands being absolutely gorgeous and located within a stone’s throw of Surfers Paradise Resorts. If you are on the Gold Coast and find you have a day to spare, find a way to get to Straddie, because this is one of the most beautiful parts of the country. The following is a brief look at your options for doing a day trip to the Stradbroke Islands from the Gold Coast. Don’t miss a wonderful chance to see a place that is truly special.

Drive yourself

If you have your own vehicle, going on a day trip to the Stradbroke Islands from the Gold Coast is a simple and easy undertaking:

• First, drive north to Cleveland, which will take approximately an hour and a half.
• Once in Cleveland, you will have a few choices. If you want to take your own car over with you to North Stradbroke Island you can take it on the vehicle ferry. Alternatively, you can park your car here in Cleveland and go as a passenger on the ferry, or you can park and take a water taxi.
• North Stradbroke Island has its own bus and taxi services, so if you arrive as a foot passenger you will have no trouble getting around.
• If you have brought your own vehicle the island has sealed roads, which can be driven on using any conventional vehicle, but if you want to be able to drive on the beaches and the various inland sand tracks, you will need to have a vehicle with four-wheel drive.

If you make it to North Stradbroke Island, you simply must visit South Stradbroke Island too.

The smaller, southern island is an absolute paradise and an extremely popular place with locals and tourists alike, and you can get there via water taxi from either North Stradbroke Island or from Main Beach on the Gold Coast.

South Stradbroke Island consists of lush rainforest, sand dunes and wetlands, and offers all kinds of water sports, hiking, camping and even a gorgeous resort if you decide you want to spend the night.

If you are only here for the day and have brought your own car, make sure you make it back to the ferry before the last one sets sail. If you came on foot, you will have a little more flexibility, as you can always catch a water taxi back later in the evening.

Take a tour

Even though both North and South Stradbroke Island are extremely close to the Gold Coast, if you don’t have much time and want to see it properly, jump on one of the tours leaving from the Gold Coast daily. Tours generally depart around 9am and return around 4pm, and usually include a gourmet lunch and informative commentary of the area. Most Gold Coast accommodation will be able to help you book any day tours you are interested in, so if you have any questions, ask at the front desk where you are staying.