[AU; 2022] North Stradbroke Island

A day drip out of Brisbane City!

How to get to North Stradbroke Island by public transport

For traveler like me who cannot drive - public transport is basically your bff in times like this. There are plenty of day trips from local travel agencies that can bring you around... but being solo & a free soul, that will be my very last option if the place is really inaccessible.

Here is the ultimate guide of getting from Brisbane City to North Stradbroke Island using public transport.

Step 1: Get on a train towards Cleveland Station

If you're intending to travel a bit with their public transport, do get a translink's go card! Fares will be lesser cheaper and you can get a refund (I got mine refunded at the airport station).

It was quite a comfy an hour ride that costed around $6.28 - just get ready all your dramas and games for this.

Step 2: Hop onto the bus 258 towards Toondah Harbour Ferry

The bus stop is at the side of the train station - do not need to cross the road! Google may ask you to walk from the train station to the ferry station. I will suggest not and I remembered it was a free bus ride from transferring out from the train (suggest you to check https://translink.com.au on the final fare price) - you're going to walk a lot on the island so save some leg energy, trust me you will need this!

Step 3: Take a passenger ferry to North Stradbroke Island

You can get the ferry tickets from the counter behind the ferry waiting area, or onboard the ferry. Return tickets going at $18! Checkout the sealink website for the updated pricing and timeable.

Step 4: Ride an island bus

Once the ferry is done - you're sort of on North Stradbroke Island! 

Depending on your interest, there are 2 inter-island bus routes to pick. If you're feeling adventurous, you can even cover both bus routes. I decided to just go for one which is heading to the Point Lookout.

Bus services are $10 for multi-stop - you can hop on and off unlimited until the end of the day. Check sealink website for the updated bus schedule and pricing.

Total public transport cost (return trip from Brisbane City to North Stradbroke Island's Point Lookout): $40.56; time take per way: 2.5hrs

How to explore North Stradbroke Island by foot

Here is a map of the places I had covered by foot - you can pick and choose what do you prefer and adjust it accordingly. 4.2km walk - sounds not challenging but definitely challenging.

This route was crafted with reference to this guide:

Starting Point: Point Lookout Bus Stop > Fishes at the Point

Drop-off at the last bus stop of the route, cross the road, and you will see a stretch of eateries. I went on an off-season period, so some of the shops were closed. Checked around with google review and I decided to have my brunch at Fishes at the Point!

Fishes at the Point, http://www.fishesatthepoint.com.au/menu/

Got this Bacon & Egg Roll which was surprisingly yummy!

1st Checkpoint: Headland Park > Lookout to South Gorge Beach

Headland Park was under renovation when I visited, based on some reviews, some claimed to spot kangaroos resting over there. But I guess not the case next time as they converted the grass space to a playground.

I would recommend to use the washroom here because they were acceptable clean!

Walk further into the park, you will come across a signage to head down to South Gorge Beach. 

But the flight of stairs are kinda long... so just a lookout of the sea view from the top!

2nd Checkpoint: Gorge Walk

It was such a pretty sight! Highly recommend to walk this track, although there are some stairs but rather manageable.

There are some points in the track where you can "head out" and have a closer look at the sea. But please but careful as they are quite rocky paths with no safety barriers.

Loving this track so much!

Just look how windy it is!

If you're lucky, there is a whale watching point in the trail - anytime between late May and early November each year. I went during early May so nope :(

There is a Quandamooka Truth Embassy along the trail - if you've some time stop and learn more about saving the Headland at Point Lookout from development.

3rd Checkpoint: Whale Track & Frenchman Beach

On the way to the whale track, you may spot a trail for the Frenchman Beach. Depending on your time, you may take this detour and skip the Whale Track. Otherwise, continue walking on Mooloomba Road.

There are a few "lookout" points on the way which you can have some glimpse of the sea.

Spot this small track signage which will bring you to some unknown forestry path.

Another few lookout points along the track - will be a great place during whale watching season!

This is how most of track looks like - downslope and uneven stairs winding down the hill (if you're entering via Mooloomba Road; if you're entering from the other end, it will be lots of climbing upwards)

The view helped to calm down my uncertainty about walking this track.

If you don't enjoy walking into areas that doesn't have much human traffic, I would recommend to skip the track. Just stop at the start of the track for the lookout points and make a turn back to the main road.

At the end of the track, it is very close to the Frenchman Beach!

I hesitated for a while whether I wanted to hit the beaches.. I ended up going down the slope.

Little did I know... it started pouring 5 minutes later, and I ran back up to the small slope for shelter. Effort wasted and got myself drenched.

4th Checkpoint: Cylinder Headland Foreshore & Foodworks

I walked in the rain to Cylinder Headland Foreshore, hoping to get a nice seaview, but it was kinda disappointing. You had to go down the steep slope to be able to get a nice view. I would recommend to give this a miss.

I decided I need a place to grab some sugar and dry myself up. Foodworks saved the day with this sweet apple juice.

There are washrooms available here, if you urgently need one.

5th Checkpoint: Cylinder Beach

It stopped raining and the next bus was coming in 40 minutes time, with some time to spare, I decided to head to the Cylinder Beach!

It was so amazing, clean, white sand~

And typical tourist, you need to draw your name on the sands.

Big yay for completing the whole walk!

Do note there are washrooms available in the camping site next to the Beach - they were very clean :)

The bus stop is just a 5 minutes walk from the Cylinder Beach - called Mooloomba Rd at Cylinder Beach. You will need to cross the road, I don't encourage heading the bus stop earlier - there were quite a few bugs and ants around. Take the bus and head back to the ferry jetty!

Bonus Checkpoint: Harold Walker Jetty

Before heading back to the ferry jetty, I would recommend to walk over to this small jetty next to it.

I met 2 uncles on the ferry to the island and they invited me to watch them fish while waiting for sunet!

The sunset was gorgeous - I will rank it under my Top 3 fav sunsets.

And I managed to capture the 2 uncles walking off from the jetty.

Thankful for one of the uncle giving me a hitch ride to the Cleveland station - otherwise it will be a cold wait at the bus stop! (No promotion of hitching over here - make your own judgement and it is at your own risk)

And I got a "gift" - a fish hook stucked at shoe sole :)