Travel and island information
Find travel information and local tips to ensure you get the most out of your visit to Moreton Bay Research Station.
What to bring
Essential items
- Closed-in shoes – you must wear these in all labs.
- Laboratory coats – you must wear these for dissections or handling chemicals.
- Water shoes or heavy-soled dive booties – you’ll need these for water work.
- Chemicals – the station has a flammable chemical cabinet but no chemical store. Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³» staff and students must transport chemicals to the station in a Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³» vehicle and comply with .Ìý
- A towel – you can also hire towels from us for a small charge.
- Sunscreen, sunglasses and sun-protective clothing, including a hat – the Queensland sun may be more intense than you’re used to.
Permits
You’ll need permits for all fieldwork and must provide us with copies before you arrive at the station.
Find out more about permits and zoning.
Health and safety risk assessments
You’ll need to have risk assessments in place to support your activities at the station.
If you’re from Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³», fill out a .
If you’re from outside Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³», follow your organisation’s risk assessment procedures.
Getting here
See our contact details and map.
You can get to North Stradbroke Island by water taxi (passenger ferry) or car ferry.
Services for both types of ferry run every day between Toondah Harbour at Cleveland in Brisbane and Dunwich or One Mile ferry terminals on the island.
Getting to Cleveland
Toondah Harbour is a 40-minute drive (30 kilometres) from Brisbane’s city centre.
A train from the city centre to Cleveland takes about an hour, and local and courtesy buses operate between Cleveland train station and Toondah Harbour.Ìý
Ferries
Water taxis (passengers only)
Two companies run passenger ferry (water taxi) services every day from Toondah Harbour to Dunwich main terminal or One Mile Jetty.
Services run each hour between 4.55am and 7.25pm, with a break in the middle of the day.
The crossing takes about 25 minutes.
We recommend large groups book tickets in advance.
Book your ticket:
Vehicle ferry
You’ll need to book in advance if you want to bring a vehicle to the island on a ferry.
Services run regularly each day from Toondah Harbour in Cleveland to Dunwich main terminal.
The crossing takes about 50 minutes.
Book your ticket:
If you hire a car in Brisbane, check with your hire company if your agreement allows you to travel via ferry to the island. You may be charged a fee.
Walking from Dunwich to Moreton Bay Research Station
- From main terminal: 15 minutes
- From One Mile Jetty: five minutes.
Getting around
Car
Sealed roads link the townships of Dunwich, Amity Point and Point Lookout.
You’ll need a 4WD to visit some attractions.
Ensure you have if you plan to drive your 4WD in designated bush areas or on the beach.
Hire a station car
You can hire a 4WD or hybrid electric car from the station. Organise this before you arrive.
See our vehicles page for more details.
Hire cars
Stradbroke Island Car Rentals offers short-term rentals. You must be aged 25 or older and have a current Australian or international driver’s licence.
Phone: +61 7 418 734 456
If you hire a car in Brisbane, check with your hire company if your agreement allows you to travel via ferry to the island. You may be charged a fee.
Bus
 runs regular services between the townships and to/from both ferry terminals during ferry operating times.Ìý
Buses don’t run at night.
Taxi
- Stradbroke Cab Service: phone +61 7 408 193 685
- Stradeasy Ferry Shuttle:Â
Accessible facilities
A room with a private ensuite is located on the top floor. It is accessible by lift.
Accessible toilet facilities are available on the ground floor and all common rooms are accessible.
The station has accessible parking.
Weather and tides
North Stradbroke Island has two daily tide cycles, with a maximum range of approximately 2.5 metres.
Find information about average and current weather data, forecasts, tides and moon phases on the .
We recommend that you check weather forecasts and tide predictions before you book a vessel or organise fieldwork.
Tourist information
 for more information about getting to North Stradbroke Island, local services, and what to do and see in your spare time at Dunwich and other destinations on the island.