North Stradbroke Island, or Minjerribah, sits off the Redlands Coast, and you can only get there by boat. Redland City Council says access to the island relies on a passenger ferry (water taxi) and a vehicle barge, both running between Toondah Harbour in Cleveland and Dunwich. If you’re new to Brisbane, the trip has three legs: getting to Cleveland, crossing the bay, then getting around the island.
How do you get to North Stradbroke Island from Brisbane?
You travel to Cleveland, then cross from Toondah Harbour to Dunwich. The council names two operators on that crossing: Gold Cats/Stradbroke Flyer and SeaLink North Stradbroke Island. The Stradbroke Flyer carries foot passengers, and the vehicle barge is the option if you want your car on the island.
The council describes Minjerribah as the world’s second-largest sand island, with communities at Dunwich, Amity Point and Point Lookout. Both services land at Dunwich.
For background on the wider area, including bins, hospitals and the train line, see our Redland City Council area guide.
Getting to Cleveland for the North Stradbroke Island ferry
Cleveland is on the train network. Translink’s Cleveland station page lists T4 line services from its two platforms. If public transport in Brisbane is new to you, our guide to Brisbane public transport explains the network and how to pay.
The station is not at the harbour. The Stradbroke Flyer says there is no Translink bus that travels to its boats. Instead it runs a free courtesy bus that picks up ferry passengers at Cleveland station and at the Middle Street bus stop outside the Commonwealth Bank. The operator also says the bus will not wait if trains are running late, so leave some slack in your plans.
If you drive, the council says there are hundreds of public car parking spaces around Toondah Harbour. Some have time limits, and some are shared with boat trailers at certain times, so read the signs before you walk away. The Flyer suggests you allow at least 20 minutes to find a park before your boat leaves.
Council opens free temporary extra parking at Toondah Harbour during busy periods. Its current list includes:
- Straddie Oyster Festival: 21 November 2026.
- Summer holidays: 19 December 2026 to 26 January 2027.
- Easter school holidays: 26 March to 11 April 2027.
The council notes these dates are subject to change without notice, so check the page close to your trip.
The North Stradbroke Island water taxi: tickets and what to expect
The Stradbroke Flyer passenger ferry takes about 25 minutes and runs every day. It leaves from Toondah Harbour, and its office is at 13 to 21 Emmett Drive, Cleveland, on the corner of Middle Street.
You don’t need to book. The operator’s timetable page sets out how tickets work:
- Where to buy: at the Cleveland office or on board the water taxi.
- How to pay: cash or EFTPOS.
- Ticket types: single, return, and multi ticket passes that do not expire.
- Fares: new fares started on 13 July 2026. Check the timetable page for current prices.
The Flyer says its passenger ferries are accessible for wheelchairs and small mobility scooters. Dogs can travel too, but the operator’s conditions say every dog must stay on a lead for the whole trip, including on the pontoon, and must not sit on seats. On busy days, people travelling with a dog may be asked to wait for the next service. You can also bring a bicycle on the Flyer.
Taking a car to North Stradbroke Island
The Stradbroke Flyer is a passenger ferry, so a car needs the vehicle barge. SeaLink North Stradbroke Island is the other sea transport operator the council names for the crossing. Check SeaLink’s own website for barge times and fares before you set out.
Parking in Dunwich is limited, and the council recommends that day visitors use public transport rather than bring a vehicle. Time limits apply in parts of town:
- Below Ron Stark Oval: 72 hours.
- North of the One Mile ferry terminal: 72 hours.
- Dunwich Community Hall, Ballow Road, and Cunningham Street: 24 hours.
- High demand locations: 12 hours.
Planning to drive on the sand? Minjerribah Camping sells 4WD vehicle access permits online or from its campground offices, which open 8am to 4pm, seven days. Permits come in one month and one year options. Its rules allow 4WDs on Flinders Beach between the Amity Point and Adder Rock entrances at up to 40 km/h. On Main Beach they run from the George Nothling Drive entrance to the southern end at up to 60 km/h. Don’t drive either beach for two hours either side of high tide. All wheel drive vehicles, motorbikes and quad bikes are not permitted.
Getting around North Stradbroke Island without a car
A bus meets each water taxi at One Mile Jetty in Dunwich. The island service is run by Transit Systems and covers Dunwich, Amity Point and Point Lookout, seven days a week.
The operator’s tickets page and FAQs cover the details:
- Paying: buy your ticket on board with cash or EFTPOS. The bus does not accept go cards.
- Tickets: single, daily (unlimited travel that day) and weekly (unlimited travel for 7 days). Children under 6 travel free.
- How often: about every hour between Dunwich and Point Lookout. Amity Point is served a little less often.
- First and last buses: the first bus leaves the Dunwich ferry terminal at 7:25am, and the last leaves Point Lookout at 6:10pm, every day.
- What you can’t bring: bikes, e-scooters, beach trolleys and pets. Approved assistance animals can travel.
- Where it doesn’t go: Brown Lake and Blue Lake.
When North Stradbroke Island boats stop running
The council warns that ferry and barge services may be suspended during severe weather or disrupted by debris in the water. Residents and visitors can be cut off when transport links go down, so it asks people on the island to watch their sea transport operator for service changes. If storms are forecast, check with your operator before you leave the mainland.
North Stradbroke Island travel questions
Do I need to book the North Stradbroke Island passenger ferry?
No. The Stradbroke Flyer says there is no need to book in advance. You buy a ticket on the day at its Cleveland office or on board.
Can I use a go card on North Stradbroke Island?
Not on the island bus. The operator says go cards are not accepted, and tickets are paid with cash or EFTPOS when you board. The Flyer water taxi also takes cash or EFTPOS.
Can I get to Brown Lake by bus?
No. The island bus operator says its buses do not service Brown Lake or Blue Lake, although you can apply for a charter.
Sources for this North Stradbroke Island guide
- Redland City Council: North Stradbroke Island (Minjerribah) disaster profile.
- Redland City Council: Parking at Toondah Harbour.
- Redland City Council: Parking in Dunwich.
- Translink: Cleveland station.
- Stradbroke Flyer: Getting here, Timetable, Onboard our boats and Travelling to Straddie.
- North Stradbroke Island Bus Service: Timetables and tickets and FAQs.
- Minjerribah Camping: 4WD permits.
Facts on this page were checked on 25 October 2026.
