Visiting Naree Budjong Djara safely

Catch a ferry over to Minjerribah to visit Naree Budjong Djara National Park.

Photo credit: Queensland Government

Use sun protection, carry water and stay on the walking tracks at all times.

Photo credit: Queensland Government

Beaches have hazards including washouts and exposed rocks. Stay alert when driving.

Photo credit: Queensland Government

To help protect native wildlife, such as the genetically distinct population of koalas, domestic animals are not permitted in the national park.

Photo credit: Queensland Government

Enjoy the mild subtropical climate of Minjerribah.

Photo credit: Queensland Government

Getting there and getting around

• North Stradbroke Island (PDF, 785.4KB)

Vehicle ferries and water taxi link Cleveland and Redland Bay with Dunwich, on Minjerribah (North Stradbroke Island). The journey by water taxi takes 25 minutes; the ferry takes about 50 minutes.

Once on the island, visitors with their own transport can access the three townships of Dunwich, Amity and Point Lookout, and most sightseeing attractions via sealed roads. Visitors without a car can get around by using the public bus service, which meets the ferries and water taxis, or the local taxi service. For more information, refer to the tourism information links.

There are two sections of Naree Budjong Djara National Park accessible to visitors. Kaboora section (Blue Lake) is on the east side, a third way down the island. From Dunwich, follow Alfred Martin Way (sealed) east for 9km up and over the hills and past Bummiera (Brown Lake) turn-off to reach the Kaboora section of Naree Budjong Djara National Park. Mount Bippo Penbean section is located towards the north of the island. From Dunwich head north-east towards Point Lookout for 10km along East Coast Road. The turnoff is on the right hand side before the waste transfer station. Car parks are located at the entrances of Kaboora and Mount Bippo Penbean sections of the national park. Vehicle access to sand dunes in the park is prohibited.

Wheelchair accessibility

There are no wheelchair-accessible facilities or tracks in the national park.

Staying safe

General safety

• Hidden snags and shallow water in lakes and lagoons can pose dangers for swimmers. Swimming isn’t recommended—there are no lifeguards on duty if you get into trouble.
• Wear insect repellent, protective clothing and sturdy footwear to guard against stings, scratches and bites.
• Use protection from the sun—wear sunscreen, a hat, sunglasses and a long-sleeve shirt, even on cloudy days.
• Stay on the walking tracks at all times and take care on loose and uneven surfaces.
• Always carry water and try to walk in the cooler parts of the day.

Drive safely

Minjerribah is a sand island. There is a network of sealed roads on the northern section of the island connecting the townships and major sightseeing attractions. Two-wheel-drive vehicles are suitable on these roads. Four-wheel-drive vehicles are required for driving on Flinders Beach and Main Beach in the Minjerribah Recreation Area. Motorbikes are not permitted on unsealed tracks and beaches within the national park and recreation area. Normal road rules apply on all roads and on Flinders and Main beaches. Beaches have hazards, including washouts, soft sand and exposed rocks, particularly after heavy rain and rough seas. Stay alert when driving and follow the safety advice below.

Drive only when you are safe

• Do not drive when you are tired or under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
• You need to be constantly alert and familiar with sand driving techniques—4WDs handle differently in sand.

Before heading off

• Ensure your vehicle is mechanically sound.
• Carry essential spares, extra fuel, water, tyre gauge, air pump, track pads and a first-aid kit.
• Know how your vehicle handles in sand-driving conditions and use correct driving techniques.

Load your vehicle correctly

• Do not overload your vehicle.
• Load your vehicle evenly with heavy items stored low.
• Do not store too much on roof racks, as your vehicle can overturn or become stuck.
• Remember the weight and balance of a 4WD vehicle is different from a normal car.

Keep below the speed limit

• Speed limits are sign posted on sealed roads.
• The speed limit on Flinders Beach is 40km/hr and on Main Beach it is 60km/hr.
• Depending on conditions, safe travelling speeds could be much slower.
• People driving too fast for the unexpected are more likely to have accidents.

Obey all road rules

• Road rules apply on all island tracks and beaches.
• All vehicles must be registered.
• Wear seatbelts at all times.
• Kept left of oncoming vehicles at all times.
• Use indicators only when overtaking or turning.
• All drivers must hold the appropriate licence.
• Never sit outside the vehicle when it’s moving.

Give way to:

• pedestrians—they often cannot hear approaching vehicles above the sound of surf or strong winds. Slow down near people on the beach, especially around children
• shorebirds and other wildlife—always go slow and go around flocks of birds.

When sand driving

• Access onto the beach and driving a vehicle on the beach one hour before and one hour after high tide is not permitted. High tide is calculated from published tide times for Brisbane Bar with Flinders Beach and Main Beach 80 minutes earlier than the high tide time at the Brisbane Bar. Please see Redlands on Moreton Bay for more information.
• Do not drive or park within one metre of a sand dune or on any dune vegetation.
• Engage locking hubs and 4WD on soft beach sand.
• Check that your tyre pressure gauge works. If you choose to reduce your tyre pressure to help maintain traction on soft sand, do so within manufacture’s specifications and re-inflate your tyres again on harder sand or on sealed roads.
• Avoid sharp turns and sudden braking.
• Select low gears for soft, dry sand.
• If your vehicle bogs, reverse out and try to drive forward again.

For more information, please read the guidelines on safety in parks and forests.

Before you visit

Essentials to bring

• Be self-sufficient in the national park. Bring food, water and first-aid supplies.
• Remember sunscreen, hat and insect repellent.
• Bring rubbish bags and take all rubbish away for appropriate disposal.

Opening hours

Naree Budjong Djara National Park is open 24 hours a day. Please remember, camping is not permitted in the national park. Former mining leases undergoing active rehabilitation works cover various parts of the island and surround areas of national park. You must not traverse these areas without prior permission from the relevant land manager.

Restricted Access Area

Stingaree Island and lands adjacent to Swan Bay

A restricted access area covers the southern end of North Stradbroke Island where the national park coincides with the marine park, including Stingaree Island and the lands adjacent to Swan Bay.

The purpose of the restricted access area is to protect the natural and cultural heritage values of the area.

Signs have been put in place to let people know about the restricted access.

Boaties can still enjoy the waters around Stingaree Island, along Duck Creek and Swan Bay as per the existing provisions of the marine park green zone.

Main Beach will remain open for driving and fishing—the closure does not restrict access to any designated tracks or through-routes (excluding any informal tracks to Swan Bay).

See the restricted access area notice (PDF, 445.1KB) for a map and further information.

Permits and fees

There are currently no permits or fees required for visitors to enter into Naree Budjong Djara National Park. However large organised groups and commercial operators planning on visiting the park should view the department's permits and fees.

All camping areas on Minjerribah require bookings and camping permits. Minjerribah Camping manages the Minjerribah Recreation Area that covers the following sites;

• the holiday parks at Adams Beach, Bradbury's Beach, Amity Point, Adder Rock, Home Beach and Cylinder Beach
• the beach camping areas at Main Beach and Flinders Beach
• the foreshores at Main Beach and Flinders Beach.

For all camping and vehicle access permit bookings and enquiries, phone (07) 3409 9668 or visit Minjerribah Camping.

Pets

Domestic animals are not permitted in Naree Budjong Djara National Park. However dogs on leashes are permitted within the Minjerribah Recreation Area including Main Beach, Main Beach camping area, Flinders Beach, Flinders Beach camping area and west of the Amity Point beach access to end of beach.

Horse riding is not permitted within the Naree Budjong Djara National Park or in the Minjerribah Recreation Area.

See North Stradbroke Island map (PDF, 785.4KB) for recreation area boundaries.

Climate and weather

Minjerribah has a mild subtropical climate. The average daily temperature range is 22–30°C in summer and 12–20°C in winter. January and February are the wettest months.

This park is best enjoyed in the cooler months, as summers can be quite hot.

Weather forecasts are available from the Bureau of Meteorology.

For more information, see tourism information links.

Fuel and supplies

Fuel and supplies are available at Dunwich, Amity and Point Lookout townships. There are no LPG pumps, so vehicles that run on gas should be filled on the mainland.

For more information, see the tourism information links.