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Often known as Straddie by the locals, North Stradbroke Island is the travel brochure beach holiday. Just 30 km (19 miles) southeast of Brisbane and the Gold Coast, it languishes at the southern end of Moreton Bay. At 30 km (19 mile) long, it is one of the worlds grandest, offering pristine beaches, a ragged coastline and inland freshwater lakes.

It lost its original name of Minijerribah in 1827, when Captain H. J. Rous, or Viscount Dunwich, Commander of the HMS Rainbow, named the isle after his father the Earl of Stradbroke, the main town after his own title, and Rainbow Beach after his vessel.

A cluster of three picturesque villages — Dunwich, Amity Point and Point Lookout — act as pleasant bases for many of the islands local and international visitors.

Dunwich was once a prison colony and quarantine station, and, as is often the case, its cemetery is a telling record of the islands interesting past. At Point Lookout, the aptly named Whale Rock is the best spot from which to scan the vast oceans in search of migrating humpback whales, dolphins and turtles.

In the 1960s, sand mining operations began to change on the fragile island eco-system, but by the 1990s environmental issues came to the fore and half of the island became a national park. Mining is still very active on the island, but mainly away in the restricted southern end.

Point Lookout on the eastern surf side of the island is a natural draw-card. Spreading across Straddies single rocky headland it overlooks a chain of bleached beaches. The western side enjoys the calmer waters of the bay and is safer for boating. The island is famous for its angling — with the annual Straddie Classic every August being one of Australias richest and best-known fishing contests.

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