
Cylinder Beach Brisbane
A patrolled beach on North Stradbroke Island, known for its calm, safe waters ideal for families and stunning sunset views.

Highlights
Must-see attractions
Social
From TikTok & Reddit
Best Time
Golden hour sunsets & whale watching

Cylinder Beach Brisbane
Best Time
Golden hour sunsets & whale watching

Highlights
Must-see attractions
A patrolled beach on North Stradbroke Island, known for its calm, safe waters ideal for families and stunning sunset views.
"Amazing water, Whitsundays level. Perfect spot away from the crowds."

🚗 Ferry & Bus Savvy
Stradbroke Flyer is often preferred over SeaLink. Island buses are $1 for the day & connect key spots .
🌅 Sunset Swims
Cylinder Beach is perfect for a safe, beautiful sunset swim. Some entrances can be tricky at high tide .

Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences

Cylinder Beach
North Stradbroke Island
Patrolled beach with calm waters, perfect for swimming and sunset views. Great for families and relaxing.

Point Lookout Gorge Walk
North Stradbroke Island
Breathtaking coastal walk with panoramic ocean views, ideal for spotting whales, dolphins, and turtles.

Amity Point
North Stradbroke Island
Charming village known for dolphin spotting and a safe swimming area with a jetty.
Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you
Planning Your Visit
Getting to North Stradbroke Island
Best Time for Sunsets & Wildlife
Best Times
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
🚗 Ferry & Bus Savvy
Stradbroke Flyer is often preferred over SeaLink. Island buses are $1 for the day & connect key spots.
🌅 Sunset Swims
Cylinder Beach is perfect for a safe, beautiful sunset swim. Some entrances can be tricky at high tide.
🐳 Wildlife Spotting
Point Lookout's Gorge Walk is prime for whale, dolphin, and turtle sightings, especially during migration seasons.
🥾 Explore the Gorge
Don't miss the Gorge Walk at Point Lookout for stunning views and wildlife opportunities.
Tips
from all over the internet
🚗 Ferry & Bus Savvy
Stradbroke Flyer is often preferred over SeaLink. Island buses are $1 for the day & connect key spots.
🌅 Sunset Swims
Cylinder Beach is perfect for a safe, beautiful sunset swim. Some entrances can be tricky at high tide.
🐳 Wildlife Spotting
Point Lookout's Gorge Walk is prime for whale, dolphin, and turtle sightings, especially during migration seasons.
🥾 Explore the Gorge
Don't miss the Gorge Walk at Point Lookout for stunning views and wildlife opportunities.
🏖️ Beach Camping
Consider Cylinder Beach campground for a unique island camping experience.
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
Visitors rave about Cylinder Beach's beautiful, safe waters perfect for families and sunset swims, often comparing its quality to the Whitsundays. While some found beach access challenging due to tides or blocked roads, the overall experience is highly positive, with many appreciating the off-leash dog areas and the stunning sunrises over the point.
"Beautiful beach and great for sunset swimming. A little difficult getting to the beach depending on the entrance used (some entrances have water and long grass to wade through), but there's other entrances that work better. Dogs allowed off leash in parts too which was great!"
Kerbray
"This beach is especially safe for all families because it has a relatively shadow lagoon with neither wave nor shark for the non swimmers to play with water. Perfect spot to view sunset."
yesbeautyfly
"A little bit disappointed, beautiful length of beach but we had trouble visiting it. The road was blocked."
Ted Curtis
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
🚇 🗺️ Getting There
You can reach Cylinder Beach on North Stradbroke Island by taking a passenger or car ferry from Cleveland. Stradbroke Flyer and SeaLink are the main operators. Once on the island, the local bus service connects to Cylinder Beach and other key locations like Point Lookout.
Yes, it's definitely possible! The public bus system on North Stradbroke Island is efficient and affordable, costing around $1 for a full day's travel. It stops at major points of interest including Cylinder Beach and Point Lookout.
Stradbroke Flyer is generally considered a faster passenger ferry, while SeaLink offers both passenger and car ferry services. Both depart from Cleveland, and the bus connections on the island are coordinated with ferry arrivals.
The ferry journey from Cleveland to North Stradbroke Island typically takes around 25-40 minutes, depending on the service and whether you're taking a passenger or car ferry.
Yes, you can take your car on the SeaLink car ferry to North Stradbroke Island. However, parking can be limited at popular spots, and the island's bus service is a convenient alternative for exploring without a vehicle.
🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry
It's highly recommended to book ferry tickets in advance, especially if you plan to take your car, as services can fill up, particularly during peak seasons and weekends.
Ferry services operate throughout the day, typically starting early in the morning and running until the evening. It's best to check the specific schedules for SeaLink and Stradbroke Flyer as they can vary.
There is no entry fee to access Cylinder Beach itself. The costs involved are primarily for the ferry transportation to North Stradbroke Island and any local bus fares if you choose not to drive.
Yes, the local bus service on North Stradbroke Island offers an all-day pass for a very affordable price, often around $1, making it economical for exploring the island.
No, the local buses on Stradbroke Island do not accept Go Cards. You will need to pay with cash or card directly to the driver.
🎫 🧭 Onsite Experience
Cylinder Beach is ideal for swimming in its relatively calm waters, sunbathing, and enjoying the picturesque scenery. It's also a fantastic spot for sunset viewing and is patrolled by lifeguards for safety.
Absolutely! Cylinder Beach is known for its safe, lagoon-like swimming conditions, making it perfect for families with non-swimmers and young children to enjoy the water without strong waves.
The Gorge Walk is a scenic coastal path offering stunning views of the ocean and coastline. It's a popular spot for whale watching during migration season and provides excellent vantage points to see dolphins and turtles.
While Point Lookout is the prime whale-watching spot, you might catch glimpses of whales from Cylinder Beach during migration season, especially from elevated positions. The Gorge Walk offers much better viewing opportunities.
Yes, there are cafes and pubs located near Cylinder Beach, often just a short walk up the stairs from the beach. You can grab food, drinks, and ice cream with beautiful views.
📸 📸 Photography
Golden hour, both sunrise and sunset, offers spectacular light for photography at Cylinder Beach. The calm waters and scenic backdrop are particularly stunning during these times.
Drone footage of Cylinder Beach and the surrounding coastline, including Point Lookout, is very popular, showcasing the island's beauty from above.
Point Lookout offers dramatic coastal landscapes, ocean vistas, and opportunities to capture wildlife like whales and dolphins. The Gorge Walk provides excellent angles for panoramic shots.
Yes, Cylinder Beach is easily accessible, and its wide, flat expanse is great for capturing beach scenes. Be mindful of tides as some access points can be affected.
Besides Cylinder Beach and Point Lookout, Amity Point for its jetty and potential dolphin sightings, and the various lakes like Blue Lake and Brown Lake offer diverse photographic opportunities.
For Different Travelers
Tailored advice for your travel style
👨👩👧 Families with Kids
🚗 Car-Free Explorers
📸 Photography Enthusiasts
Deep Dives
In-depth insights and expert knowledge
Exploring North Stradbroke Island Without a Car
When you arrive via the passenger ferry from Cleveland, a bus will be waiting to take you to various points on the island. It's advisable to check the bus timetable upon arrival to plan your day effectively. While you won't have the flexibility of a private vehicle, the bus system is designed to service the main tourist hubs, ensuring you don't miss out on the island's highlights. This car-free approach can also be more budget-friendly and environmentally conscious.
Best Times for Wildlife Encounters
Beyond marine life, the island is home to various bird species and kangaroos. For a chance to see dolphins up close, Amity Point is a popular spot, especially around the jetty. While Cylinder Beach is more known for its swimming and relaxation, keeping an eye on the ocean from the shore can still yield sightings of marine life. Remember to always observe wildlife from a respectful distance and never feed them.
Cylinder Beach: A Family-Friendly Paradise
Beyond swimming, the beach offers plenty of space for kids to play, build sandcastles, or simply relax. The nearby amenities, including cafes and pubs accessible via a short walk up the stairs, mean that refreshments and meals are conveniently close. The picturesque setting also makes it a beautiful spot for family photos and creating lasting memories.

Social
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit