Frommer's Australia from $50 a Day 13th Edition - To Parent Directory

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CHAPTER 5 . BRISBANE
from the ferry terminal) is open weekdays from 8:30am to 5pm and weekends
9am to 3pm.
WHAT TO SEE & DO North Stradbroke Island, “Straddie’’ to the locals,
was once home to a large Aboriginal population and still retains much of their
history. The main town, where the ferry or water taxi will drop you, is Dunwich.
Over the years the town has been a convict outstation, a Catholic mission,
quarantine station, and benevolent institution. The local museum is open
Wednesday and Saturday 10am to 2pm and displays historic photographs, items
salvaged from shipwrecks, and information about the early settlement of the
island. A self-guided historical walk begins at the information center, where you
can pick up a free map. Point Lookout, at the northern tip of the island, is
Queensland’s most easterly point. A “must” for all visitors is the North Gorge
Headlands Walk, for breathtaking views and for spotting turtles, dolphins, and
whales. There are plenty of places to stay on the island, at motels, low-key
resorts, caravan parks, and camping grounds.
SOUTH STRADBROKE ISLAND
South Stradbroke is accessible from Runaway Bay near Southport, at the Gold
Coast—about 45 minutes’ drive south of Brisbane city. There are three resorts on
the island and four camping grounds. The resorts run boats for guests only, so the
only other way to get to the island is by water taxi. Gold Coast water taxi
(& 0418 759 789) takes groups to the camping grounds and resorts for about
A$10 (US$6.50) per person (minimum of six people plus camping gear, if necessary).
Couran Cove Resort runs day tours for A$55 (US$36) per person,
which includes return transfers from Runaway Bay, morning tea, guided rainforest
tour, lunch, and use of resort facilities for the rest of the afternoon. Fastcat
leaves Runaway Bay at 10am, and you can return on either the 3 or 5pm boat.
WHERE TO STAY
Worth a Splurge
Couran Cove Resort
Finds You’ll be lucky to find a more peaceful
resort than this one, which is an island idyll in a class of its own. On South
Stradbroke Island, there are no cars, with everyone getting around on foot or
bicycle or silent electric shuttle. And whether you’re a beach or bush person,
you’ll find it here. You can hang around the pools or lagoon, head to the spectacular
surf beach about 2km (1 1 ⁄4 mile) from the main resort, or stroll through
remnants of primeval rainforest. The resort is committed to environmentally
friendly practices, and is unique for its range of more than 100 recreational and
sporting activities including a 9m (30-ft.) rock-climbing wall, three-lane sprint
track, baseball and softball pitching cage, and a High Ropes Challenge course.
There’s also beach volleyball, bocce and lawn bowls, shuffleboard, surfing, fishing,
and a stargazing observatory, and for gentler pursuits an extensive day spa
and a resident artist who’ll give you lessons. Guests can take in a wildlife show
at the amphitheater. There are lots of accommodation choices. My favorite is a
nature-cabin in the bush, but for water views and closer access to the restaurants
and spa, choose one of the colorful waterfront units. All have kitchens, and
there’s a general store and “pantry service” which will deliver supplies to your
room. Smoking is only allowed in designated outdoor areas and on balconies,
and no tobacco products are sold at the resort.
South Stradbroke Island, Moreton Bay, QLD or P.O. Box 224, Runaway Bay, QLD 4216. & 1800/632 211 or
07/5597 9000. Fax 07/5597 9090. www.couran-cove.com.au. 357 units. Nature cabins (sleep from 3–8) from