52 Journeys, Australia: No 4, North Stradbroke Island
Okay, so just to say, this is a very brief post! After experiencing the magic of Lord Howe Island around a year ago, I was keen to visit another much loved Australian island, North Stradbroke/Minjerribah, just off the coast of Brisbane. So I headed up there late last year with a few friends. But I was only there for a few days and didn’t have much time to shoot. Even so, I hope these images convey some of the beauty of Straddie and the feeling of peace that being on an island (one that’s largely nature’s domain) gives.
Flying over Straddie on the way to Brisbane, you can see just how little of it is inhabited by humans – most of the long, skinny sand island is covered in dense bushland with many lakes and wetlands.
To get to the island, you catch a ferry from the mainland which takes about an hour. It drops you on the west side of Straddie at Dunwich, which is one of three small townships. The other two are Amity and Point Lookout. We stayed at Point Lookout on the north-east coast, where there’s a number of fabulous beaches and a small handful of little shops and cafes.
South Gorge
North Gorge
Pretty much the first thing I did was the 1.2-kilometre North Gorge Walk, which takes you around the Point Lookout headland, past the dramatic North Gorge and then ends at South Gorge Beach.
South Gorge swimmers
Two of the most striking features of Straddie are the Pandanus tree, which I personally love, and the clearest and most vivid turquoise water.
Pandanus everywhere
Main Beach surfing
home time
last light
And I’m afraid that’s it! There’s obviously a lot more to Straddie. For one thing, I’d really like to learn about the Indigenous side of the island, known as Minjerribah. I met the lovely Delvene Cockatoo-Collins, who’s a descendent of the Quandamooka people, the traditional owners of Minjerribah. She runs a great shop at Dunwich, selling her very beautiful clothes and art, which is definitely worth a visit. I had a chat to her about the Indigenous history and culture of Straddie/Minjerribah and I’m keen to do a tour led by an Indigenous guide next time I visit.
So yes, a short and sweet post. But despite the brevity, I hope you’ve enjoyed this little taste of the beautiful island.
I love it when I find these in my in box. It gives me hope that I can return to the Most Beautiful place on earth. If I return I want to visit these beautiful places that the locals visit. Just wanted to say a simple Thank you.
Thanks very much Steven, I really hope you can return and visit Straddie too!
I love the colours and the clear water, Thank you again Louise!
Isn’t the aqua water just beautiful! Thanks Pat.
The crystal focus and clarity in your shots Louise, never fails to wow me.
Oh I’m so happy to wow you, Gaylee! x
An unexpected surprise, thanks Louise. Like the light and the restrained colour. May I quote few lines from a poem by Rachel Field (1894-1947) USA.
If once you have slept on an island
You’ll never be quite the same;
You may look as you looked the day before
And go by the same old name,
You may bustle about in street and shop
You may sit at home and sew,
But you’ll see blue water and wheeling gulls
Wherever your feet may go.
There’s more, but I don’t want to hog the site. Stay Well, Fred H
Lovely poem, thanks so much Fred! Islands are indeed so special.
Last Light is simply awesome
Thanks so much, Valya. I love it too.
One of my favourite places and your photos indeed do it justice. You have to visit it again, so much more to see – Amity Point, Brown Lake, Myora Springs just to name a few
Thanks Gerry, glad you liked the images of your beloved Straddie. And yes, I need to explore more, next time!
Love these as always
Thanks
Oh thanks Mark, makes it all worthwhile 🙂