North Stradbroke Island (Australia)

Autumn is here, the rain and the cold with it, I’m back in Europe for 3 years since my Solo Wedding in Santorini, and I still have a lot of trouble getting used to the seasons here. I loved to be in flip-flops and wearing a summer dress most of the year ...

In Australia, however, it’s spring!

Although I had a fantastic month in Paris for my Honeymoon 2, I admit that I miss the Pacific Ocean, so this week I take you with me to Australia, to discover a wild island full of treasures ...

North Stradbroke Island (Minjerribah) called Straddie by locals, is an island located in Queensland, not far from Brisbane.
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The only way to get there is by boat or ferry.

This island is 38km (23.6mi) long, 11 (6.8mil) wide, with 2,000 inhabitants for 275 km2 (106 sq mi).

This little haven of peace offers an exotic getaway and a great way to reconnect with nature. Moreover, only one hotel for the whole island, camping is privileged.

Only the north of the island is inhabited, the south is totally wild and I find it very interesting to visit it by catamaran.

Otherwise, nothing better than a 4x4 to get around the island and the beaches, of course you need a special licence, which is valid for one year. Be careful with the tides, however.
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Nature is truly incredible here, no matter the point of view, the forests, the endless white sand beaches, & BBQ on the beach, my favourite!

All beaches are magical, and sunbathing from beach to beach is my favourite activity ​😊

But beware some places can be populated by jellyfishes and sharks, below a sign that we often see in Australia ...
 
I’ve already discussed this in my previous articles:

• Christmas in Brisbane
• My favourite animals
• Australia

If you're afraid of the ocean, you can always go swimming in the many lakes of Straddie:
the two main ones are Blue Lake and Brown Lake, its name is due to the colour of the waters, which comes from the tannin of the surrounding plants. In fact, depending on the light, the water is even red!

​It’s very surprising and very funny to bathe in it, especially as it’d have beneficial properties for the skin.

Another activity that I love, spotting koalas in the trees, it's not always easy to see them (check the photo below to demonstrate your talent), and I admit that sometimes I feel a bit like a voyeur lol but they’re so cute!!

This is a great opportunity to observe nature, all the animals and birds we find on this beautiful island, and it’s even better when we have a chance to see turtles, dolphins or whales!

Straddie has some great vantage points and the Gorge Walk (little path along the cliffs) is really perfect.
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In addition, walking is excellent for your health ...

And when you see this type of sign, totally normal for Australians but completely unbelievable for us Europeans!
I love Australia ...

Travelling to the other side of the planet is not for now as far as I'm concerned, but I’ll take comfort in reading again my article Spas around the world and applying my own advice from the Happy Summer video ( at the end of the article).

​Have a great week everyone!
 
Love & Joy,
L.