About South Stradbroke Island Conservation Park

Humpback whale breaching.

Photo credit: Queensland Government

White-bellied sea eagles are stunning from any vantage point.

Photo credit: Queensland Government

Park features

South Stradbroke Island Conservation Park features 22km of pristine white surf beach on the eastern side of the island. The calm waterways of The Broadwater on the western side are perfect for paddling and other water sports.

The island is the most southern sand island in Moreton Bay and its tip is the southern boundary of Moreton Bay Marine Park. Together with North Stradbroke Island and Moreton Island, it forms the eastern boundary of Moreton Bay.

The island’s vegetation consists mainly of coastal dunes, remnant livistona (cabbage palm) rainforest, melaleuca wetlands, and coastal forests and woodlands. The intertidal areas boast an array of mangroves, salt marshes and mudflats.

The striking golden swamp wallaby, endemic to North and South Stradbroke islands, and the agile wallaby, once common to the region, are often seen on the island.

The park offers spectacular views of the Gold Coast and vantage points to catch glimpses of humpback whales on their annual migration between July and October.

Looking after the park

Minimise your impact. Terrestrial, and marine, plants and animals depend on us to keep land, ocean and estuarine areas clean.

• Everything in the park is protected; leave everything as you found it.
• Leave pets at home; domestic animals are not permitted in the conservation park.
• Take rubbish home; bins are not provided in the park to avoid scavenging by wildlife.
• Toilets are not provided in the park; bury human waste and toilet paper at least 15cm deep and 100m from any water bodies to guard against pollution and the spread of disease.
• Avoid the spread of weeds; regularly check footwear and clothing for seeds and remove all seeds, wrap them and place in your rubbish container to bin later.
• The use of firearms is not permitted in conservation parks.
• Fires are not permitted in the park. Pack a fuel stove for cooking.

See the guidelines on caring for parks for more information about protecting our environment and heritage in parks.

Park management

The Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service (QPWS) manages South Stradbroke Island Conservation Park to conserve its natural and cultural resources. Gazetted in 1993, the conservation park covers 1,444ha of the island and is protected under the Nature Conservation Act 1992.

Tourism information links

Gold Coast Tourist Parks (Gold Coast City Council)
www.goldcoasttouristparks.com.au

Surfers Paradise Visitor Information Centre
www.visitgoldcoast.com
2 Cavil Ave (Cavill Mall)
Surfers Paradise Qld 4217
Phone: 1300 309 440
Email: infosurfers@gctourism.com

Redlands Coast Visitor Information Centre
www.visitredlandscoast.com.au
Redlands IndigiScapes Centre
17 Runnymede Road
Capalaba Qld 4157
Phone: 1300 667 386
Email: visitorcentre@redland.qld.gov.au

For tourism information for all regions in Queensland see Queensland Holidays