South Stradebroke Island (‘South Straddie’) is located just to the north of the Gold Coast, Queensland. The northern point of South Straddie is just a few kilometers off the mainland at Jacobs Well, and for the most part, this part of the island remains completely untouched. The island is home to a few private houses, a resort and has a population of less than 100 permenant residents.
The northern tip of South Straddie is the last protected point before Jumpinpin, a fast moving tidal channel before open water, and as seen in this picture is a popular spot for day-trippers, cruisers, and anglers. The sandbars around Jumpinpin are constantly changing and good local knowledge and advice from VMR Jacobs Well is recommended before attempting to cross this bar. Thankfully! – this guide takes us no where near the bar. 😊
Getting there #
The two closest boat ramps are Jacobs Well and Cabbage Tree. Jacobs Well has recenetly had a $2.3M upgrade by the Gold Coast Waterways Authority (GCWA), but parking is still limited for such a popular boat ramp. The lesser known Cabbage Tree Boat Ramp is sometimes the better choice. Both ramps can get busy – both ramps have limited parking – everyone just wants to get on the water – so my advice is to make sure you wear your calm-and-patient-pants that day! Even though both of these ramps are well protected they are still subjected to strong currents.
Once in the water the cruise over to South Straddie is a walk in the park. The islands protect these waters from any chop, though this does mean a bit of extra current. From both boat ramps keep a keen eye on channel markers as sandbars are plenty and tides can have a real impact on your chosen route. From Jacobs Well you are simply following the main seaway until you reach the northern point of South Straddie (just before you reach Jumpinin) – this is a busy stretch of water and not very wide considering the number of vessels you are sharing it with. From Cabbage Tree it’s a bit quieter but you will need to plan around the tides. When you know where you’ll be leaving from, plan your trip in Navionics Chart Viewer. From ramp-to-beach is about 10-15 minutes.
| Turn | Coordinates |
|---|---|
| Cabbage Tree Boat Ramp | -27.7349, 153.3586 |
| Jacobs Well Boat Ramp | -27.7801, 153.3668 |
| South Stradbroke Island (Northern) | -27.7591, 153.4387 |
There are two main areas to pull-up when you arrive at the northern part of South Straddie – I’ve colloquially named these Point A and Point B. Both are just as good as the other!
On low tide Point A has a shallow pool that is great for the kids! Point A also has unimpeded access to the beach on the eastern side of the island. Point B has a smaller beach, but the trees offer great protection from the sun. From Point B you can still access the eastern side of the island via some of the Rangers quadbike tracks.
The waters through this anchorage and past the island are 6knots (~11km/hr) – so don’t forget to keep your speed and wake low! As you can see in these photos the waters are popular and can get busy!
Safety first #
Thankfully South Straddie is right near the mainland, with plenty of boaty-traffic nearby to land a hand if in need. Though, this should be your Plan C. In general, always check your safety gear before you go out, remember to keep an eye on other boats in the area, check your comms, keep an eye on the weather, the sea state, the tides, and the current. Maritime Safety Queensland have great resources for keeping you and your family safe on the water.
In Queensland there are three classifications of water: Smooth waters, Partially smooth waters, and Beyond partially smooth waters. The below map shows South Straddie Island being in Smooth waters (last checked 22-Sept-2022). Smooth waters and Partially smooth waters have different mandatory requirements for safety equipment for your boat. Always keep up to date with these requirements here:
The number one safety consideration for Peel Island, in my books, is the tides. If you are unsuspecting of a change in tide you may find yourself stuck without proper provisions. It’s not a bad idea to familiase yourself with VMR Jacobs Well.
Things to do #
Relax #
The native flora here is beautiful! It feels like the Aussie version of a tropical paradise. A truly relaxing spot to chill out in the shade and watch the world (and boats) go by.
Fishing #
For more info on fishing in and around the waters of South Straddie I am going to direct you to someone far more knowledgable.
Check out the roar of the ocean #
The eastern side of the island (i.e. ocean side) is stunning. The roar you can hear as you come over the sand dunes is breathtaking! A beach this big, with no people in sight (usually) is a rare find in South East Queensland!
Can I bring my dog? #
Unfortunately no dogs are allowed on any part of the northern tip of South Straddie.
Camping #
More info to come – in the meantime, check out Department of Environment and Science (DES) Camping bookings and fees.
