South Stradbroke Island: have you been there yet? I hope so, it’s such a great place!

This long, narrow island forms the north wall of the Gold Coast Seaway, and from there it extends north right up to the Jumpinpin bar. Boaters can see South Stradbroke’s tall trees and clean beaches with fringes of mangroves or she-oak trees almost on the water’s edge, yet that passing view is not the whole story. The island is well timbered with tall tea trees and eucalypts, and a golden surf beach runs the length of the eastern shore while more sheltered waters caress the western shores.

In many respects ‘South Straddie’ is a quiet and peaceful place. You can hear the wind softly sighing through the trees, or the soothing sound of surf on golden beaches. The whole experience washes away the memories of incessant traffic and other annoying suburban sounds back on the mainland.

With no car ferry services to this island (unlike North Stradbroke Island further up the coast) access from the mainland just across the channel is strictly via pleasure craft or one of the ferries that service the island.

People who have their own boat and want to stay at The Islander holiday home have access to at least eight public ramps within easy water travel distance of this section of South Stradbroke Island. The island’s main population areas are confined to the nearby Couran Cove area or within the island’s canal estates. Do remember that road systems on the island are quite limited; most people simply walk to the nearby surf beach or Couran Cove. More adventurous visitors make journeys of exploration via bicycle, making the most of the well formed tracks.

The Islander is located within the canal area of South Stradbroke’s Couran Point Island Village, taking pride of place at the very end of the second canal on the right as you enter the main waterway into the developed area.

Travelling in the canal where The Islander was located with Islander owners Michelle and Glen Parker, I was impressed with the clarity of the water, fish life scurrying away from the boat and the curious wallabies standing on a nature strip.

As we approached The Islander’s jetty I was impressed with the magnificent backdrop of forest to the rear. It looked very inviting, with a vista of white sand out front and a setting of magnificent paperbark trees behind. Yet as good as it looked from the outside, it became even better after I walked in!

With the boat tied to the jetty (Glen said he is almost tired of eating the mud crabs he catches there, poor chap!) I took in the sight of a massive, covered outdoor dining area with a swimming pool on one side, and a big table and chairs close by. A very large BBQ-equipped kitchen area with bar was also set up on the external deck opposite, with its own table and chairs. A wide screen TV near the BBQ, one of many within The Islander, was linked to Foxtel. Who could afford to miss the sport at this time of year, eh?

Walking in through the resort’s wide double doors I surveyed the totally self-contained kitchen on the right. There was a massive refrigerator, two microwave ovens and a big gas range complete with oven, as well as a marvellous array of wide cupboards with all cutlery and crockery needed to feed hungry holiday makers. There was even a top shelf coffee machine. How good is this!

The kitchen was massive – more than enough to cater for a couple of families enjoying time together – and was completely set up for easy meal preparation. Up to 13 people can stay in this holiday home and, as Michelle said, all they need to bring is clothing and food; the rest is provided for their total enjoyment and relaxation.

After taking in the well set up lounge area I looked at the three bedrooms downstairs. Each was equipped with king sized beds, en suites and linen. I then moved upstairs to find a big play area set aside for youngsters, complete with electronic entertainment, plus a suite of bunk beds.

Walking through the rear doors of the Islander I took in the shade and gentle ambience of nearby trees, and the kayaks and bicycles set aside for holiday makers to enjoy. A road leading west at the rear of the resort provided access to a very attractive beach area where you can watch the sun set over the mountains on the mainland while keeping an eye on a couple of rods set up for whiting, bream or flathead.

The Islander holiday home, with its five bedrooms, three bathrooms and superb appointments was perfectly set up for total enjoyment. Anglers in particular would love it. There is plenty of room for a group to get together for a crack at the fish on the surf beach or to take part in some boating action. There are sheltered waterways nearby all along the inside of the island, with the Jumpinpin bar only a short distance away, and the mouths of the Coomera and Pimpama rivers virtually opposite to the west. The jetty will moor several boats with no problems.

For those among us who want a more general look at the island, a resident 4x4-equipped guide is on hand to both explore the island or to facilitate fishing the surf beach. For more information, check out stradbrokeislandadventures.com. This 4x4 service is a good starting point for easy island exploration or for a drop-off to a beach gutter.

Yet as good as the fishing and boating opportunities are, I believe the quiet ambience of the island with its leafy charm and gentle wildlife are just as appealing. For further information contact --e-mail address hidden-- or speak to Michelle on 0420 967 557 to make a booking for a totally relaxed yet thoroughly indulgent holiday. The Broadwater Taxi Service is on 0403 587 804 for an easy run across to take in The Islander’s charms first hand.