A two-day journey to naturally wonderful Goompi (Dunwich), Minjerribah

There has never been a better time to explore Goompi (Dunwich) on Minjerribah (North Stradbroke Island). Whether you enjoy long walks in nature, dining out on fresh seafood, discovering local art or immersing yourself in First Nations culture, Goompi has something for everyone. Spend a day, visit for the weekend, or get away for a week and you will quickly see why this icon of Redlands Coast is held in such high regard among locals and visitors. Goompi is a walkable township, making it easy to travel between experiences, while nearby tourist towns like Mulumba (Point Lookout) are accessible by car.

Minjerribah is a one-stop shop for all visitors, but in this instance, we offer the top locations to visit when travelling to Goompi as a family or couple.

Day 1

Explore the Gateway to Minjerrabah, the tiny town of Goompi and immerse yourself in the culture as you experience the true connection of people and country.

Morning and Lunch

After arriving at the Goompi ferry terminal, the gateway to Minjerribah, take a short trip into town and join an Indigenous cultural immersion experience with Yura Tours. Here you can experience a Welcome to Country at Bummiera (Brown Lake), walk in the footsteps of the island’s Quandamooka ancestors at Mulumba, and visit Delvene Cockatoo-Collins’ art studio in the heart of Goompi. Pick up a unique gift reminiscent of your travels as you browse beautifully crafted homewares, exquisite clothing, and artwork.

Caption: Yura Tours at Bummiera (Brown Lake)

The full tour lasts about three hours and is led by a First Nations guide, making it the ideal experience for guests wanting to immerse themselves in Indigenous culture during their travels.

Before moving onto the afternoon’s activities, take a stroll along the bay, past the Polka Point Midden on the water’s edge (don’t forget to take a photo), and continue on to lunch at the Little Ship Club’s iconic waterfront bistro. The menu is packed with fresh seafood, burgers, parmies, salads and desserts – but the view of the bay is what will win you over. Perry’s Seafood, a locally owned and operated island business in the centre of town, offers takeaway options for the busy traveller who would prefer to keep moving. Try a local favourite, the mullet burger.

Afternoon

Spend the afternoon exploring the North Stradbroke Island Historical Museum – which is open Wednesday to Sunday – or visit the old leper colony station and asylum for a taste of what island life was like during the 1800s.

Sunset Drinks

There is no better sight on Minjerribah than watching the sun set over Moreton Bay – and there are plenty of places in Goompi to take it all in with family and friends. Within walking distance of the ferry terminal and other tourist hot spots is Straddie Brewing, a locally owned venue which serves up pizzas, tacos, sliders, seafood and locally brewed beer. The brewery’s viewing deck, which has panoramic views of Moreton Bay, is among the most popular spots to watch the sunset. The brewery also has a ‘behind-the-tanks tour’, but you will need to arrive a little earlier to join the fun as these tours take place in sessions between 10.30am and 3pm on Saturdays.

 Caption: Sunset Drinks at Straddie Brewery

Stay:  Plenty of Accommodation to choose from

Become the Brewery Custodian for the night at Straddie Brewing staying overnight in your private oasis with a rooftop view. Or enjoy camping and glamping at Bradbury’s Beach – near the Little Ship Club.

There are also a variety of holiday houses elevated above the Goompi township.  

You’ll find more accommodation options to choose from within the neighbouring townships of Pulan (Amity Point) and Mulumba.

Day 2

Explore the naturally wonderful Minjerrabah.

Morning

Consider waking up early to enjoy the island in all its glory at dawn, then venture into town for breakfast. The Barn Cafe on Bingle Road gets the tick of approval from locals and is open for breakfast and lunch. The food is delicious but the best part of any outing in Goompi is getting a taste of island hospitality (you may even get a few travel tips from the locals).

A tour of Minjerribah is not complete without a visit to Myora Springs, a serene freshwater sanctuary located just outside of Goompi towards Pulan and Mulumba. Stop here for a leisurely stroll and allow yourself to soak up the tranquility of island life.

Continue on your journey to the famous Gorge Walk at Mulumba – one of the most picturesque locations on the island – is only 20 minutes away from Goompi by car or bus. The headland provides unrivalled views of the Pacific Ocean and is located close to coastal bushland for visitors who would like to experience some of Australia’s native wildlife up close. Don’t forget to pack your binoculars – marine life like dolphins, whales, turtles, manta rays and dugongs are known to frequent the coastline in this area. Other attractions at Mulumba include the newly upgraded Panorama Coastal Walk which takes visitors on a spectacular journey from the whale watching platform overlooking Frenchmans Beach to the start of Gorge Walk. Keep your eyes open for wallabies and koalas today as well.

Caption: Minjerribah Panorama Coastal Walk                        

Before you start your walk, or after, enjoy a treat with a view from Whale Tail Gelati & Coffee Shop.

Lunch

Soak up the captivating views while enjoying a refreshing beverage and a seasonal menu at the Stradbroke Island Beach Hotel.

Afternoon

Visit Cylinder Beach, one of the most popular surfing spots in south-east Queensland. Located just a short drive (about four minutes) from Gorge Walk, this icon of Minjerribah is consistently rated among the top 10 beaches in Queensland thanks to its golden sands and spectacular views.

After a day spent at the ocean, rinse off the salt with a freshwater swim at Bummiera (Brown Lake). This popular swimming and picnic spot is situated just 12 minutes from the centre of Goompi. 

An alternative option for those looking to explore more of southern Moreton Bay

Join the Stradbroke Island Sailing Charter, your own private luxury catamaran which departs from One Mile Jetty near the Little Ship Club. On-board morning tea options include antipasto boards and seasonal fruit platters. Charters are for four or five hours, so you may want to ensure you have at least half the day available. 

Before boarding the ferry in the late afternoon and enjoying a ride back across the bay to Cleveland, drop into CJ’s Pizza in the centre of Goompi for an early dinner or enjoy a sunset beverage or wine tasting at St Stradbroke, a boutique wine bar overlooking southern Moreton Bay. Food and drinks are also available on-board ferries back to the mainland, but it is worth enjoying one last authentic Straddie experience before departing the island.  

We can’t wait to welcome you back, there’s so much more to see.