AT A GLANCE

Welcome to ‘Adder Rock Camping‘. This article covers

1. Where is Adder Rock campground on North Stradbroke Island,
2. What facilities are available,
3. How to get there, and
4. What to look forward to when you get there.

Quick Heads Up

1: Adder Rock Camping ground is at Point Lookout on North Stradbroke Island, which is located off SE Queensland.

2: It has unpowered sites (overlooking Flinders Beach), powered sites suitable for larger RVs, permanent glamping bell tents, eco-island tents and cabins available.

3: Clean, modern shower/toilet facilities.

4: Undercover, concrete floor shared kitchen areas available with electric BBQs, sinks and picnic table dining.

5: There is adjacent 4WD access to Flinders Beach. Vehicle permit required; and can be purchased at the campground reception.

6: Access to the island is by vehicle or passenger ferry only. There is no bridge from the mainland. A 4WD is not required to get around.

Travel Facts

By Car: Ferries depart from Cleveland, with the vehicular ferry taking about 45 minutes to cross Moreton Bay to berth at Dunwich. Allow an hour and a half for the entire journey from Cleveland to Point Lookout. Ferries run hourly through the day.

By Passenger Ferry: – Leaves on a regular basis and takes about 20 minutes. There is car parking at Cleveland. Trains from Brisbane stop at Cleveland. Bus services on the island run between Dunwich, Amity Point and Point Lookout on a regular basis.

Click on ‘Table of Contents‘ for the detail….

Despite the weather forecast being less than ideal for the weekend, we hitch up the camper trailer and head over to North Stradbroke Island for two days of camping at Adder Rock, Stradbroke Island.  North Stradbroke Island camping is always great, as the visitor is spoilt for choice. 

From beach camping on Main Beach and Flinders Beach (4WD access only) to camping grounds with easy vehicle access at Cylinder Beach, Adder Rock, Amity Point and Dunwich.  There is a small camping area at Home Beach with a handful of sites.

  

To add to the overall mood of the camp ground, there is a family of Stone Curlews; whose long, whistle like call can be heard through the night.

Note: It is necessary to have a Vehicle Access Permit to drive on North Stradbroke Island beaches.  They cost $46.80 and are valid for twelve months.  They can be obtained from the visitors centre at Dunwich, down to the left as you come off the vehicular ferry.  Adder Rock Camp Ground reception/check-in can also issue them.

In addition to the traditional Stradbroke Island camping, there are a number of bell tents for those who don’t care to pitch their own.  Glamping layout with wooden floors, two single beds or double beds, mains power, table and two directors chairs.  They have boardwalks connecting them.

I first stayed in these glamping tents April 2018, and they become very hot around the middle of the day.  I notice this time the local management have installed shade sails over some of them to make them  pleasant during the hotter times. 

Next up in the line of luxury are the Eco Island Tents. They are fitted with queen size beds, large exterior deck, screened  windows and doors, canvas shutters, ceiling fans, tables and chairs, mains power, fridge  and storage space.  Glamping plus.

There are cabins in the camping area as well.   Some have two bedrooms, others are single bedroom. 

Best to check online to see what prices are, as they vary by season and peak booking times.

If you’re looking for a bush camping experience, then take a look at Flinders Beach camping.  There are around 200 unpowered campsites along Flinders Beach.  They are divided into 12 camping areas.  Around Area 4 there is a composting toilet block.  No showers or any other amenities are available.  It is possible to buy an amenities pass for $10 per campsite per night.  This allows access to the Adder Rock Camping area shower/toilet block. As part of the regeneration plan, not all campsites will be available at all times.

Don’t feel like camping this time around? Then take a look at hiring a campervan from JUCY and take in the best of North Stradbroke Island.

Click here to make a booking now.

To get a car to North Stradbroke Island is by vehicular ferry.  Stradbroke Island Ferries are based in Cleveland at nearby Toondah Harbour.  Basic cost is about $160 return.  Prices vary depending on time of day/day of week.  Book online via their website to save a few dollars as well.  If towing a trailer/caravan/RV, it’s extra.

There is a passenger ferry that runs between Cleveland and Dunwich.  It’s called the Straddie Flyer.  The trip takes about 20 minutes and costs $20 per adult/$10 per child.  It’s great for day trips if the cost of getting a car across is a bit expensive. There are bus services that take passengers from Dunwich to Point Lookout and Amity Point.

There are a number of places within a short drive of Adder Rock Campground.  Here are our pick.

Point Lookout Surf Club

Surf clubs are part of Australia’s beach culture.  They are always worth a visit.  They also command world-class beach views.  Point Lookout Surf Club is no exception, with stunning views.

The bar area overlooks the Bathing Gorge and Main Beach.  Even though the weather is not the best, the view is still spectacular.  The SLSC bar (The Point Bar) is open from 2:00pm on Saturdays and Sundays only.  The Point Bar offers a basic, comfortable layout, and does not serve meals.

Chillers Cafe

Again, partly due to the state of play with the weather, we head up to Chillers Café (43/57 East Coast Road, Point Lookout) for our evening meal.  They do breakfast, lunch as well.  They have an excellent pizza menu.  Our choice was a half and half of Goat Cheese and Stradbroke Island Honey/ BBQ Chicken.

Bowls Club

It’s along Dickson Way, and serves lunches and dinners from their Bistro.  Good, basic meals at an affordable price.

Stradbroke Island Beach Hotel

The view from the beer garden/bistro area is second to none.  It offers a range of meals, cold beer and live music during the busier days of the week. Check it out further here – www.stradbrokehotel.com.au

Blue Room Cafe

Magnificent views over the Pacific Ocean from its headland location.  During the migration season you can enjoy a coffee and watch migrating whales.

Adder Rock is a well-run, quiet, clean camping area that is family friendly. It’s well worth considering if you’re looking for North Stradbroke Island camping accommodation.  The traditional owners who now run the Straddie camping grounds have invested a great deal of thought and work into them.   This has produced a great camping experience for all tastes and budgets.

We also research and publish buying guides to help you get the camping gear that’s just right for you.

If you’re looking for a rooftop tent, a camping fridge, a camping generator, a camping stove, a swag/sleeping bag, a gazebo or perhaps a camp oven, then  take a look at our latest Camping Gear Buying Guides.

Interested in camping at Binna Burra.  Read our post here – Binna Burra Camping.