Things to do
Surfing is a popular recreational activity in the waters surrounding the island. Camp on the beach, then enjoy a morning surf.
Photo credit: Queensland Government
Enjoy views over the Pacific Ocean from the Neembeemba 'to see' lookout in Naree Budjong Djara National Park.
Photo credit: Queensland Government
Take an easy walk to Kaboora (Blue Lake) viewing platform along the Kaboora 'deep silent pool' track in Naree Budjong Djara National Park.
Photo credit: Queensland Government
The Gorge Walk at Point Lookout is a must do for all visitors to Minjerribah.
Photo credit: Queensland Government
Beach fishing is a popular recreational activity.
Photo credit: Queensland Government
Cycling is a great way to get around and see the sites of Minjerribah.
Photo credit: Queensland Government
Camping and accommodation
Camping
Naree Budjong Djara National Park offers a secluded camping experience by the sea. This camping area is only accessible by boat, camping permits are required and fees apply. Camping permits must be obtained before you set-up camp (there is no self-registration on site). On-the-spot fines apply for camping without a permit.
- Find out more about Naree Budjong Djara National Park camping areas.
- Book your camp site online.
- If you cannot book online, see camping bookings for other options.
There are also a number of camping areas on Minjerribah, outside the national park (see North Stradbroke Island map ). These camping areas offer a range of facilities, including cabins, powered and unpowered sites, toilets, showers and playgrounds. For a more rugged experience, there is remote beach camping with no facilities; however, these areas can only be accessed by 4WD vehicles. Camping permits are required for all camping areas and a vehicle access permit is required to access these areas. See the tourism information links for more information.
Other accommodation
Private accommodation, including luxury resort accommodation with spa treatments, holiday units, holiday homes, bed and breakfasts, beach shacks and backpackers, is available at Dunwich, Amity and Point Lookout. For more information, see the tourism information links.
Walking
There are six walking tracks within Naree Budjong Djara National Park. Kaboora section of the national park has five tracks all leaving from the Kaboora car park, about 9km from Dunwich along Alfred Martin Way. Mount Bippo Penbean section has one track leaving from the car park, about 10km north-east along East Coast Road.
Kaboora tracks
Neembeemba (to see) track
Distance: 3km one way
Time: allow 2hr
Details: the track winds uphill through coastal wallum woodland to a sandy ridge where the ocean can be glimpsed through the trees. The vegetation is more stunted here with distinctive scribbly gums a feature. Take a breather at the viewing platform and enjoy the magnificent views over the southern part of the island, the South Pacific Ocean and the Gold Coast. To continue, take the Dakabin track downhill for 1.8km through grass trees to the edge of Kaboora. Walkers, expect a gradual climb with sandy sections. In summer it can be arduous and hot.
Dakabin (grass tree) track
Distance: 1.8km one way
Time: allow 45min
Details: start from either the Neembeemba lookout or the shores of Kaboora this track winds through tall grass trees, heath species, and pockets of ferns and native grasses. Look out for skinks and the abundant birdlife living in the understorey. This track has limited shade and is best walked in the cooler part of the day.
Kaboora (deep silent pool) track
Distance: 3km one way
Time: allow 1.5hr
Details: walk through wallum woodland and see dwarf eucalypt trees with oddly twisted branches, wallum banksias and grasstrees. You’ll pass by Tortoise Lagoon—a perched lake that sits high above the water table—before winding downhill to Kaboora. The track has gentle rolling hills with sections of loose sand. The open canopy makes this track hot during the day. Best time to walk is early morning or during the cooler months.
Kaboora ‘deep silent pool’ is a place of significant cultural value to the Quandamooka people and they request that visitors respect that significance by not swimming in the lake. See nature, culture and history for more information.
Kabul (carpet snake) track
Distance: 3km one way
Time: allow 1.5hr
Details: starting from the western side of the day-use area, the track climbs uphill through dwarf eucalypts to a ridge top offering spectacular views of Mount Vane and the ocean. Stop and look carefully in the thick vegetation for golden wallabies Wallabia bicolor—a form of swamp wallaby found only on North and South Stradbroke islands. The track follows the ridge line, then drops downhill to join up with the Kaboora track. Continue along this track for a further 700m to reach Kaboora. With steep, long, sections, this track is for walkers who want a challenge. Hint: the best way to walk this track is from the car park downhill to the lake.
Jarlo beetle (fire beetle) track
Distance: 3km one way
Time: allow 1.5hr
Details: commencing after the steepest section of the Kabul track, continue west along the ridge line amongst twisted scribbly gums. Keep an eye out for the beautiful and distinctive purple flowers of the Forest boronia as the track gently undulates before turning south and beginning an uphill climb to the summit of Mount Vane. Climbing this 500m section will reward you with spectacular views south to the Gold Coast, west to Brisbane and north to the Glass House Mountains and Sunshine Coast.
Mount Bippo Penbean track
Mount Bippo Penbean (mountainous country) track
Distance: 3.2km one way
Time: allow 2hr
Details: from the car park, the walking track gently climbs in elevation through dry open heath vegetation. This ecosystem is rare and endangered in South East Queensland and protected here in the Naree Budjong Djara National Park. On your way up, admire the robust wallum banksia’s Banksia aemula with their inflorescent flowers and shiny green serrated leaves. Be on the lookout for glossy black cockatoos Calyptorhynchus lathami as they feast on the cones from the black she-oaks Allocasuarina littoralis, an important foraging habitat for the species. Look for remnants of chewed cones on the bottom storey of the heathland vegetation. Wander through majestic groves of grass trees Xanthorrhoea johnsonii. Their masses of needle-like foliage help to reduce moisture loss during extended periods of hot weather, making them drought resistant. Blackened trunks are evidence of their ability to withstanding bushfires. At the summit, be rewarded with stunning vistas south over Minjerribah’s heath covered sand dunes. On clear days, the panoramic views stretch into New South Wales, north to the Sunshine Coast and out to the Border Ranges. Best walked early morning or late afternoon during winter, spring and autumn when the weather is mild, and the showy wildflowers are in bloom. Allow plenty of time and daylight for your return trip.
Walking opportunities outside the national park
Gorge walk
The Gorge walk at Point Lookout is a must for all visitors to the island. This gentle walk offers outstanding views across the ocean and is an ideal vantage point for spotting marine life, such as turtles, dolphins and manta rays. From June to November, visitors can delight in watching humpback whales pass close to the coastline on their annual migration. The Gorge walk also offers stunning views along beautiful Main Beach to Jumpinpin, the island’s southern tip.
Bummiera (Brown Lake)
Bummiera (Brown Lake) is only 3.5km from Dunwich and accessed via Alfred Martin Way. There are picnic facilities, making it a great place to relax with the family. Bummiera is a perched lake containing tannin-stained water from the leaves of surrounding paperbarks and tea trees, as well as the organic matter on its floor. Outdoor activities at Bummiera include walking around the lake on fire tracks, bird watching and viewing or photographing wildflowers.
Swimming and surfing
The island is a haven for swimmers, body boarders and surfers.
Dunwich and Amity both have enclosed swimming areas making them ideal for families with young children. Do not swim in the deep channel out from Amity due to strong currents and the possible presence of sharks.
Flinders Beach is accessed by four-wheel drive from Amity or Point Lookout and offers excellent foreshore camping and swimming. The headland at Adder Rock often provides a point break for surfers.
Home Rock separates Home Beach and Cylinder Beach. Four-wheel-driving is not permitted on Home Beach, which makes it a perfect spot to relax away from the crowds.
Cylinder Beach is a very popular, sheltered beach with a well serviced camping area. It has a lovely calm inshore area perfect for families and is also well known for its point break off the headland, ideal for surfers and body boarders.
Main Beach stretches from Point Lookout to the remote southern tip of the island. The patrolled area at Point Lookout is the most popular swimming beach on the island and with southerly winds it is also a favourite with surfers and body boarders. Rips and side currents are a possibility, so swimmers should always stay between the flags.
Visit the Surf Life Saving Beach Safe website for patrolled beaches and local conditions.
Boating and fishing
Boating and fishing are prohibited in Naree Budjong Djara National Park, but both of these activities are popular in the marine waters of Moreton Bay Marine Park surrounding Minjerribah.
There are public boat ramps at One Mile (near Dunwich) and Amity, which provides access to the calm waters of the channel between North Stradbroke and Moreton islands.
The deep, clear Rainbow Channel runs just off the shore, making Amity an ideal spot for launching boats or casting straight into deep water from the beach or jetty.
Beach fishing is a very popular past-time with visitors to the island, particularly off the popular foreshore camping areas of Flinders Beach and Main Beach.
Five marine national park (green) zones of the Moreton Bay Marine Park lie along the coastline of Minjerribah. All forms of collecting, including fishing, are prohibited in these areas. Refer to the Moreton Bay Marine Park user guide for boundaries and restrictions relating to zones and designated areas.
Fish right
- Keep fish, bait and burley in sealed containers away from wildlife.
- Bury fish remains and unused bait just below high tide mark. Dig a deep hole and cover scraps with at least 50 cm of sand.
- Dispose of used bait bags and unwanted fishing line in bins or take them home.
- All freshwater fish are protected on the island.
- Fishing or collecting bait in lakes and streams is not permitted.
Guided tours
Minjerribah is an outdoor enthusiast’s paradise and there are a number of commercial tours on offer. Discover natural wonders off the beaten track on a four-wheel drive tour; catch dinner on a fishing tour; explore the waters surrounding the island on a sea kayaking tour; reveal underwater secrets on a diving or snorkelling tour and learn to surf at a local surf school. For more information, refer to tourism information links.
Picnic and day-use areas
There are currently no day-use or picnic areas in Naree Budjong Djara National Park.
Picnic and toilet facilities are available at Bummiera (Brown Lake) just 3.5km from Dunwich.
Viewing wildlife
The best time to view wildlife is in the early morning and late afternoon.
Other things to do
The six walking tracks in the Naree Budjong Djara National Park are the only recreational facilities currently provided in the national park. However, there are a number of recreational opportunities available on Minjerribah.
Enjoy birdwatching, go body boarding or surfing off one of the many beaches, hire a bicycle, scooter or a boat, play a round of golf, try your luck with a fishing rod, join a guided tour or go for a walk. See the tourism information links for more recreational opportunities available on Minjerribah.
- There are currently no park alerts for this park.