| Have you ever imagined swimming among a pod | | | | While the calves are still young, mother and baby |
| of dolphins and watching them play in their native | | | | return to their Antarctic homelands, swimming |
| environment? You can on Stradbroke Island. | | | | close to the shoreline during their return journey. |
| To get up close and personal with a dolphin, | | | | This is the best time to view the spectacular |
| holiday accommodation on Stradbroke Island is | | | | displays of the whales at play. |
| only an hour away from the bustling metropolis of | | | | As a world famous marine park, Moreton Bay is |
| Brisbane, the capital of Queensland, yet to be | | | | also renowned for the number of dugongs which |
| there is to feel like you're a thousand miles from | | | | are found in the area. Dugongs are similar in |
| anywhere. | | | | appearance to dolphins, but have small eyes, a |
| North Stradbroke Island, or 'Straddie' as it is | | | | rounded head and nostrils at the top of their large |
| known to the locals, is the largest sand island in | | | | snout. Dugongs feed exclusively on a particular |
| the world. Pristine white sandy beaches stretch as | | | | type of sea grass, which is found in abundance |
| far as the eye can see on the western side of | | | | around Stradbroke. |
| the island which faces the Pacific Ocean, while the | | | | One of the most popular attractions for visitors |
| calm waters of Moreton Bay lap the shores on | | | | to the island is viewing the dolphins which play in |
| the eastern side. | | | | the waves on the ocean side of Stradbroke |
| The beauty of Stradbroke Island lies in its unspoilt | | | | Island. While it's quite common to find yourself |
| natural environment, which the local community | | | | matching wits with a dolphin as you body surf the |
| and Stradbroke Island Tourism protect and | | | | waves around Amity Point, or discover a pod of |
| preserve with the utmost care. In fact, the island | | | | dolphins sharing a wave with you as you ride your |
| has been listed as one of the world's most | | | | board to shore at any of the surfside beaches, |
| ecologically important wetlands, with its series of | | | | closer involvement is not encouraged. |
| inland freshwater lakes and lagoons. | | | | While many tourists may consider it 'cute' to pat |
| Marine Life and Dolphins at Straddie | | | | or feed a dolphin who has been trained to come |
| The waters around Stradbroke Island are unique | | | | inshore, the environmentalists who maintain the |
| because the warm waters from the tropical north | | | | pristine beauty of North Stradbroke |
| are mixed with the cooler waters from the | | | | Island and its environs prefer to see the wildlife |
| southern oceans. This rare marine environment | | | | left alone. |
| hosts a vast array of marine life which Straddie is | | | | So, if you want to see dolphins, Straddie is |
| renowned for. | | | | certainly the place to go. Ride a wave alongside |
| During the months of June through to November, | | | | them or swim and do somersaults in the ocean |
| visitors can view the majestic humpback whales | | | | with them, but allow them to play in their own |
| during their annual migration north to the warm | | | | watery wonderland; safe and free from human |
| waters around the Great Barrier Reef which is | | | | intervention. |
| one of their main calving grounds. | | | | |