The trip to North Stradbroke Island can be made by train, bus and water taxi, or by driving onto a vehicle ferry. This guide lays out the steps in order, names the operators the official and community pages mention, and flags where sources disagree. It gives no fares or timetables: those belong to the operators and TransLink, and they change. For another bay island trip, see the Moreton Island Day Trip Guide.
Step one: reach Cleveland
The island tourism site says all water taxis, passenger ferries and vehicle ferries to the island leave from Cleveland. Redland City Council’s visitor pages place the ferries at Toondah Harbour, with parking available nearby.
By train, the council says services run from Central Station in Brisbane City to Cleveland, calling at Thorneside, Birkdale, Wellington Point and Ormiston. The University of Queensland’s research station on the island says the train from the city centre takes about an hour, with local and courtesy buses connecting Cleveland station and Toondah Harbour. Minjerribah Camping adds that Queensland Rail operates the Brisbane to Cleveland trains and that buses run from the station to both ferry terminals. For journey times and connections on the day, the island tourism site points readers to the TransLink Journey Planner.
Driving is the alternative. The island tourism site gives the distance from the Brisbane CBD as 30 km via Old Cleveland Road, estimated at 50 minutes depending on traffic. The university station describes Toondah Harbour as a 40-minute drive of 30 kilometres from the city centre. The two sources agree on distance and differ on time, so allow for traffic rather than relying on either figure.
Step two: choose a water taxi or the vehicle ferry
At 9 November 2026, Minjerribah Camping said two water taxi services operate to the island, with a travel time of approximately 25 minutes. Stradbroke Ferries, which is SeaLink’s island operation, runs from 3 Emmett Drive, Cleveland, to the Harold Walker Jetty at Junner Street in Dunwich. Stradbroke Flyer runs from the end of Middle Street, Cleveland, to One Mile Jetty, next to the Little Ships Club in Dunwich. This guide does not rank them.
For the station-to-terminal leg, the island tourism site (stradbrokeisland.com) said at 9 November 2026 that Stradbroke Flyer provides a free shuttle from Cleveland Train Station 10 minutes before its departures, with some early and late services excluded. The same site said a second Flyer shuttle picks up at the Cleveland Shops bus stop in Middle Street, 15 minutes before departures. It also said a Transdev bus runs from the station to the SeaLink passenger and vehicle ferries before departures, again with some early and late services excluded.
Vehicles travel on the SeaLink vehicle ferry to Junner Street, Dunwich. The crossing time is not settled: Redland City Council lists 45 minutes, while the university station says about 50 minutes. Booking is the point on which the sources agree. The university station says you need to book in advance to bring a vehicle across, and Minjerribah Camping says a booking must be made. Anyone driving a hire car should check the hire agreement first, because it may not allow ferry travel and a fee may be charged.
Step three: get around once you arrive
Dunwich, Amity Point and Point Lookout are connected by sealed roads. A public bus service links the Dunwich terminals with Point Lookout and Amity Point. The university station says North Stradbroke Island Buses runs regular services between the townships and both ferry terminals during ferry operating times. Taxi options listed there include the StradEasy Ferry Shuttle.
Cyclists should note that Dunwich to Point Lookout is approximately 22 km, according to the island tourism site. The same page warns that roads have narrow or no shoulder in parts and are frequented by large trucks during business hours.
If you plan to drive on the sand
Vehicle access permits are required for driving in designated beach and bush areas, according to the island tourism site. The same tourism site, a secondary source rather than the permit body, said at 9 November 2026 that driving is not permitted on the beaches for 1 hour 15 minutes either side of high tide.
Where to ask
The Redlands Coast Information Centre was listed on the island tourism site, at 9 November 2026, at 50 Middle Street, Cleveland, phone 1300 667 386. Redland City Council also advises checking with hire car companies about whether their vehicles are permitted on the island.
Frequently asked questions
Can I get to North Stradbroke Island without a car?
Yes. Redland City Council describes train services to Cleveland and passenger ferries from Toondah Harbour, and a bus service runs on the island.
Do I need to book the vehicle ferry?
The University of Queensland research station and Minjerribah Camping both say a booking is required to take a vehicle on the ferry.
How long does the water taxi take?
Minjerribah Camping says approximately 25 minutes.
Can I take a hire car on the ferry?
Check the hire agreement first; the university station says it may not allow ferry travel and a fee may be charged.
