The delightful secluded Cylinder Beach
1 / 10

Cylinder Beach Brisbane

4.5
·97 reviews·, Australia

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

Highlights

Highlights

Must-see attractions

Social content

Social

From TikTok & Reddit

Best Time

Winter afternoons

Golden hour sunsets & whale watching

CrowdMedium
Loading map...
The delightful secluded Cylinder Beach

Cylinder Beach Brisbane

Best Time

Winter afternoons

Golden hour sunsets & whale watching

CrowdMedium
Highlights

Highlights

Must-see attractions

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

4.5
(97 reviews)

"Amazing water, Whitsundays level. Perfect spot away from the crowds."

Vertical photo
TIP

🚗 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 .

Third hero image

Highlights

Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences

Cylinder Beach

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

Point Lookout Gorge Walk

North Stradbroke Island

Breathtaking coastal walk with panoramic ocean views, ideal for spotting whales, dolphins, and turtles.

Amity Point

Amity Point

North Stradbroke Island

Charming village known for dolphin spotting and a safe swimming area with a jetty.

Your AI travel agent

Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you

Start Chatting

Planning Your Visit

Getting to North Stradbroke Island

Access Cylinder Beach via passenger or car ferry from Cleveland. Bookings are recommended, especially for cars. Once on the island, public buses connect major spots like Point Lookout and Cylinder Beach, making car-free exploration feasible.Reddit

Best Time for Sunsets & Wildlife

While beautiful year-round, winter offers stunning sunsets and potential whale sightings.Instagram+1 Summer brings warmer waters for swimming. Check tide times as some beach entrances can be challenging at high tide.Reddit

Best Times

When
Winter afternoons
Why
Golden hour sunsets & whale watching
Crowd
Medium
When
Summer mornings
Why
Calm waters for swimming
Crowd
High

Insider Tips

from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit

So you only have 3 days in Brisbane! This is how I would do it! @VisitBrisbane AD #visitbrisbane
@joslaloh
41.9K likes • 6.3M views

🚗 Ferry & Bus Savvy

Stradbroke Flyer is often preferred over SeaLink. Island buses are $1 for the day & connect key spots.Reddit

🌅 Sunset Swims

Cylinder Beach is perfect for a safe, beautiful sunset swim. Some entrances can be tricky at high tide.Reddit

A short bush walk to find a hidden beach & waterfall makes for a perfect summer’s day. Save this for your next summer adventure. (+) for more hidden gems, australia travel and road trips, places to stay, things to do, restaurants, places to visit #sydney #hiddengems #australia #sydneyhiddengems #thingstodo #beach #PlacesToVisit #sydneybeaches #travel #sydneytravel #australiatravel #byalexandratra...
@byalexandratravel
24.7K likes • 334.1K views
Winter never looked so good 🏄🏼‍♂️🏝️ @northstraddieisland . . . . . . . . . #d1store #cylinderbeach #dronephotography #djiaustralia #dronepals #aerialphotography #whalewatching #southeastqueensland #northstradbroke #australiafromabove #thisisqueensland #queensland #seeaustralia #pointlookout #djiglobal #redlandsanyday #holidayherethisyear #redlands #queenslandtourism #brisbaneanyday #visitbrisban...
mitch.dann
86 likes • 1.8K views

🐳 Wildlife Spotting

Point Lookout's Gorge Walk is prime for whale, dolphin, and turtle sightings, especially during migration seasons.Reddit

🥾 Explore the Gorge

Don't miss the Gorge Walk at Point Lookout for stunning views and wildlife opportunities.Reddit

Winter blues along Cylinder Beach on North Stradbroke Island 🏝️ @northstraddieisland . . . . . . . . . #d1store #cylinderbeach #dronephotography #djiaustralia #dronepals #aerialphotography #whalewatching #southeastqueensland #northstradbroke #australiafromabove #thisisqueensland #queensland #seeaustralia #pointlookout #djiglobal #redlandsanyday #holidayherethisyear #redlands #queenslandtourism #...
mitch.dann
83 likes • 0 views

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.Reddit

🌅 Sunset Swims

Cylinder Beach is perfect for a safe, beautiful sunset swim. Some entrances can be tricky at high tide.Reddit

🐳 Wildlife Spotting

Point Lookout's Gorge Walk is prime for whale, dolphin, and turtle sightings, especially during migration seasons.Reddit

🥾 Explore the Gorge

Don't miss the Gorge Walk at Point Lookout for stunning views and wildlife opportunities.Reddit

🏖️ Beach Camping

Consider Cylinder Beach campground for a unique island camping experience.Reddit

What Travellers Say

4.5
(97 reviews)

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

Beautiful, safe swimming waters
Stunning sunset views
Family-friendly atmosphere

What People Dislike

Difficult beach access at times
Occasional road blockages

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.Reddit

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.Reddit

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.Reddit

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.Reddit

🎫 🎫 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.Reddit

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.Reddit

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.Reddit

🎫 🧭 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.Reddit

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.Reddit

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.Reddit

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.Reddit

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.Reddit

📸 📸 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.Instagram+1

Drone footage of Cylinder Beach and the surrounding coastline, including Point Lookout, is very popular, showcasing the island's beauty from above.Instagram+1

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.Instagram

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.Reddit

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.Reddit

For Different Travelers

Tailored advice for your travel style

👨‍👩‍👧 Families with Kids

Cylinder Beach is your go-to spot on North Stradbroke Island! Its calm, lagoon-like waters are perfect for little ones who are learning to swim or are hesitant around waves.Reddit Lifeguards are on duty, offering peace of mind. Pack plenty of snacks and beach toys, and take advantage of the nearby cafes for easy meal breaks. The Gorge Walk at Point Lookout is also manageable for families, offering incredible views and a chance to spot dolphins and turtles, which kids often find fascinating.Reddit

🚗 Car-Free Explorers

Don't have a car? No problem! North Stradbroke Island is incredibly well-serviced by public buses that connect all the main attractions. For a minimal daily fee, you can easily travel between Cylinder Beach, Point Lookout, and Amity Point.Reddit This makes exploring the island stress-free and allows you to focus on the stunning scenery and wildlife. The bus system is efficient and meets ferry arrivals, making your transition seamless.Reddit

📸 Photography Enthusiasts

For photographers, North Stradbroke Island offers diverse and stunning subjects. Cylinder Beach is a dream for golden hour shots, especially at sunset.Instagram+1 Point Lookout provides dramatic coastal vistas and is the prime location for capturing whale migrations (June-October) and other marine life.Reddit Drone photography is also popular here, showcasing the island's rugged beauty from above.Instagram+1 Don't forget Amity Point for charming village scenes and potential dolphin encounters.

Deep Dives

In-depth insights and expert knowledge

Exploring North Stradbroke Island Without a Car

Visiting North Stradbroke Island without a car is entirely feasible and can be a relaxing way to experience its beauty. The island boasts a reliable public bus service that connects all the major attractions, including Cylinder Beach, Point Lookout, and Amity Point.Reddit For just a small daily fee (often around $1), you can hop on and off the bus to explore at your own pace.Reddit This makes it easy to access the stunning Gorge Walk at Point Lookout for whale and dolphin spotting, or to spend a leisurely day swimming and sunbathing at Cylinder Beach.Reddit

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.Reddit

Best Times for Wildlife Encounters

North Stradbroke Island is a haven for wildlife, with specific seasons offering the best viewing opportunities. The winter months, from June to October, are prime time for whale watching as humpback whales migrate along the coast. Point Lookout, particularly the Gorge Walk, offers spectacular vantage points to witness these magnificent creatures.InstagramReddit+1 You might also spot dolphins and turtles year-round, but they are often more visible during the warmer months.

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.Reddit 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

Cylinder Beach is renowned for its exceptionally safe and calm swimming conditions, making it a top choice for families with young children. Unlike some other beaches, it often forms a sheltered lagoon with minimal waves, providing a secure environment for non-swimmers to enjoy the water.Reddit The beach is patrolled by lifeguards, adding an extra layer of safety for visitors.

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.Reddit

You may also like

1 of 2