Cylinder Beach
Picturesque Cylinder Beach is a bay between the headlands of Deadman’s and Home Beach. It’s easily accessed from the house either on foot (a ten-minute stroll) or by car. There’s a carpark just metres from the beach. North-facing Cylinder Beach is patrolled every day of the year which makes it popular with families and surfers. Fishing is also popular.
Whale Watching
Each year, between June and November, the humpback whales pass by Point Lookout as they migrate from Antarctica to their calving grounds near the Great Barrier Reef. Head out to North Gorge and watch them go by, or settle in on the verandah and catch their aerobatics. Use the telescope to zoom in for a close-up. If you’re visiting after the babies have been born, you’ll see the calves and parents much closer in as they head south.
North Gorge Walk
This iconic walk follows the North Gorge Headland and offers a 1.2 km track and boardwalk affording spectacular views. The pristine waters make it easy to spot turtles, manta rays and dolphins, and whales during their migration season. There are often kangaroos grazing at the beginning and end of the walk, and they’re happy to pose for photographs. Access the walk via Mooloomba Road at Point Lookout, opposite Fishes café. There’s also a shorter walk out to the Point to take in the breeze and views of the headland.
Photo BY Redland City Council | LICENSED UNDER CC BY-ND 2.0
Surfing
Surfing is a popular pastime for locals and visitors, with many successful surfers in the Point Lookout Boardriders Club. If you’re keen to learn to surf, call the North Stradbroke Island Surf School on 0407 642 616. Or if you’re already a gnarly surfer, check out Cylinder Beach, Main Beach or Adder Rock.
Photo BY Redland City Council | LICENSED UNDER CC BY-ND 2.0
Point Lookout Markets
On Sunday morning during school holidays and long weekends, wander down to the Point Lookout Bowls Club on Dickson Way from 8am to midday. There is an array of clothing, handmade local arts and crafts, natural beauty products, coffee, honey and baked goods on offer.
Photo Credit: Official North Stradbroke Island Website
Fishing
Main beach and Flinders beach are 4WD accessible. Beach permits are available from the campgrounds office in the Cylinder Beach carpark. There are pipis aplenty along Main Beach. Head south from the access road for 2-3kms. They can be located by doing the “pipi shuffle” (twisting feet sand of in the shallow water) or look in the tyre tracks at low tide for the telltale bumps. Pipis are great bait for dart and bream.
Beachcombing
Roam Main beach’s high tide line to discover the interesting flotsam yielded by the Pacific Ocean. Two-wheel drives can park at the end of George Nothling drive.
Wildlife
Kangaroos and wallabies hang out all through Point Lookout. You might see them in our front garden or the neighbour’s backyard. Koalas also live in Point Lookout, but they are easier to spot at Amity Point. Drive the streets of Amity and look up. Ballow Rd is often a good spot. Alternately, look for groups of people looking up – a sure sign a koala has been sighted.
“I honestly love this home so much.”
I’ve been holidaying on Straddie for over 40 years and this is definitely my favourite place I’ve stayed. Luxurious but not ostentatious, it feels like a home. A beach house in the truest sense of the word because you can still put your feet up and relax. I honestly love this home so much and cannot wait to go back. I’m so glad the owners decided to share it!
— Victoria Carthew
