The sea turtles inhabit the waters around Stradbroke island, a sandy island located off the coast of Brisbane, Australia.

Nicknamed « Straddie » by the locals, North Stradbroke island separated from its twin sister, South Stradbroke island, during a storm in 1896. The Junpinpin Channel now separates them !

Famous for its pristine beaches, sand dunes, forests, and lagoons, the island provides the perfect setting for swimming, surfing, hiking, or wildlife watching, both on land with kangaroos and koalas, and in the water with the green turtle and the loggerhead turtle. Every year, some beaches serve as nesting sites, offering a unique chance to observe these majestic creatures in their natural habitat, often guided by conservation programs and supervised tours.

Sea turtles can usually be observed in the waters near the « North Gorge Walk », which runs along the rocky promontory at the extreme northeast tip of the island near Point Lookout. This walk offers stunning panoramic views of the Coral Sea below and is the best vantage point on the island to spot whales and marine life passing right before your eyes !

Sea turtles, such as the green turtle and the loggerhead turtle, are born on the northern beaches of Stradbroke island between December and February. Sea turtles can travel as far as Papua New Guinea and New Caledonia, but as adults, they return to lay their eggs on the Straddie beaches where they were born !

The most common sea turtle seen on Straddie is the loggerhead turtle, which prefers to nest at Frenchman Beach due to its secluded nighttime location. The leatherback turtle, occasionally spotted along these shores, is the largest of the sea turtles. Its shell can reach up to 5 ft 3 in in length and weigh about 1,100 lbs.

You can also dive and see sea turtles further north of Brisbane, at Cairns near the Great Barrier Reef.

To reach Stradbroke island, drive to Cleveland from Brisbane, then take a ferry to North Stradbroke island. The crossing takes about 45 minutes and allows both cars and foot passengers. Once on the island, roads and sandy tracks make it easy to access beaches and villages.