Stradbroke Island Escape

by Warwick Combined Probus Club | 05 Aug 2015

Warwick Combined Probus Club members and friends escaped the Warwick chill to bask in the warmer climate of Stradbroke Island during a three day tour.

After a three hour coach journey and a trip across the bay by barge, the group enjoyed lunch at the Amity Point Community Club.

Kevin Townsend (Centre manager) conducted the group on a tour of the Moreton Bay Research and Study Centre which is operated on behalf of the Science Faculty of the University of Queensland.  The centre is the base for local and international scientists who currently focus on sustainable fishing, and the quality of the waters of Moreton Bay.  Research is undertaken “in the wild” and within the centre in purpose built aquariums. 

The centre also hosts seminars and provides facilities for focused training of future researchers and practitioners.  John Becker introduced the group to a number of PhD students from Australia and overseas, who were undertaking intensive studies and experiments in the field of Neuroscience.

A visit to the perched Brown Lake provided an opportunity to wet our feet and enjoy afternoon tea before we adjourned to our accommodation at the Islander and the Stradbroke Island Beach Resorts.

The itinerary for day two included visits to Cylinder and Flinders Beaches, Myora Springs, memorials to the hospital  ship “Centaur” and explorer Matthew Flinders,  Point lookout and the gorge walk, the Gelati shop and Amity Point for morning tea and after dark to view the night lights of Brisbane.

As we boarded the coach for our final day of touring, the skies opened.  Our visit to the cemetery will have to wait for another day.  The extra time was used in visits to the Museum and the Art Gallery where we received a traditional welcome.   Lunch was served at the historic Grandview Hotel, Cleveland after our return ferry ride from the island.

This tour was organised by staff of Crisps Coaches Warwick in response to enquiries by members of the Warwick Combined Probus Club, and introduced our members to the attractions of the island.