South Stradbroke Island

South Stradbroke Island is an island and a suburb of the Gold Coast, west of Labrador and is the Southern part of the two Stradbroke Islands. It's the longest and least crowded but also the most remote and inaccessable beach in the Gold Coast area. It is also one of only 15 sand islands in the world.

South Stradbroke has no roads connecting to it so the only way to get there is via a ferry or private boat.

Tipplers Ferry provides a water taxi from Jacobs well to Tipplers Island Resort

The Couran Cove ferry is temporarily shut (Dec 2024) due to a legal dispute with the main resort

If you have a private boat you can go from the Labrador Boat Ramp and park your boat at any of the campgrounds.

Although not recommended it is possible to kayak to the island from Labrador. Only being a 1-km paddle, it is dangerous because of the risk of sharks, sharp rocks near the coast and potentially strong currents. If you wish to kayak over, exercise caution and plan carefully.

Although 4WD vehicles are permitted on the island there are no public vehicle ferry services.

If you have access to a private boat you can freely travel throughout the island's coast with plenty of places to safely park the boat.

Due to the lack of paved surfaces and travel options walking is the main way to travel the island. From north to south the island is approximately 21 km and takes around 4 hours to walk.

South Stradbroke has hundreds of wild wallabies that are usually friendly to humans. They are known for stealing food and joining campers at their fires.

• -27.932851153.4309551 South Seawall Lighthouse (3.5 km south of South Currigee Campground). It is at the southern most tip of the island and provides a view to the northern tip of Main Beach at the Spit  (updated Dec 2024)
• -27.732054153.4442492 Jumpinpin Channel (7 km north of Tipplers Resort). Formed in 1898 by a combination of an explosion and a cyclone, this channel separates North Stradbroke and South Stradbroke island  (updated Dec 2024)
• -27.7968153.43073 Dux Hut (1 km north of Tipplers Resort). Heritage listed hut built during the 1930s.  (updated Dec 2024)
• -27.768608153.4423961 South Stradbroke Island Middens (4 km north of Tipplers Resort).  (updated Dec 2024)

• -27.7952153.43951 Tipplers Cafe, Tipplers Campground. Mon-Thu 9AM-3PM (until 5PM during school holidays), Fri 9AM-7PM, Sat 7:30AM-7PM, Sun 7:30AM-5PM. The primary fully licensed dining option on the island. Serves up great classic modern Australian cafe meals including burgers, seafood, and breakfast favorites. Uniquely offers a delivery service where freshly cooked dinner items can be delivered to your campsite or shack if you place your order before closing time. The attached kiosk sells basic grocery staples, ice, and campfire wood. Mains $18-35.  (updated Jul 2026)

• -27.8385153.43121 South Currigee Campground, ☏ +61 7 5577 3932. Check-in: 2PM, check-out: 10AM. A tranquil back-to-nature campground surrounded by native bushland. Offers 28 tent-only waterfront campsites, alongside 7 rustic, unpowered "Island Shacks" and one self-contained cabin for extra comfort. Features gas BBQs, hot showers, a children's playground, and a mini-kiosk stocking emergency essentials. Pets and generators are strictly forbidden to protect the local wallabies. Note: All campground water is sourced from an unpotable borehole; it is absolutely essential to pack in your own drinking water. Campsites from $35, shacks/cabins from $100.  (updated Jul 2026)
• -27.8324153.43282 North Currigee Campground, ☏ +61 7 5577 3932. Check-in: 11AM, check-out: 10AM. A smaller, quieter tent-only campground wrapping around a calm, protected inlet that makes it the premier spot on the island for mooring private boats. Features 29 campsites directly on or close to the water's edge, supported by a narrow public pontoon, toilets, hot showers, and a sheltered picnic area. There is no ranger station or kiosk here; all campers must check-in and pay in advance at the South Currigee site office 1 km away. Bring your own drinking water. Campsites from $35.  (updated Jul 2026)
• -27.7948153.4393 Tipplers Campground, ☏ +61 7 5577 2849. Check-in: 11AM, check-out: 10AM. Once a private commercial resort, the site was acquired by the local government and is now managed by the City of Gold Coast as a premium conservation campground. Features beachfront tent camping alongside comfortable, unpowered "Wallaby Tents" and "Island Shacks" that sleep up to 4–6 guests (linen provided). Perfect for families due to immediate walking access to the licensed Tipplers Cafe, gas BBQs, a playground, and calm swimming beaches. Generators, vehicles, and pets are completely prohibited. Bookings require you to have your own boat or pre-arranged water taxi. Campsites from $35, island shacks from $110.  (updated Jul 2026)

Avoid swimming in the ocean as there are no patrolling lifeguards and there may be rips and sharks.

Exposed sand dunes and sand cliffs can collapse without warning. Do not climb, slide down or dig into sand dunes or sand cliffs.

Mosquitoes are common in the warmer months, bring insect repellant.