Cylinder Beach, North Stradbroke Island: Camping & swimming

Cylinder Beach is a family-friendly swimming beach on North Stradbroke Island, Queensland. There’s plenty of accommodation there, including three North Stradbroke Island campgrounds.

What is Cylinder Beach

Cylinder Beach is a 500 metre-long, family-friendly swimming beach on North Stradbroke Island (Minjerribah), Queensland. It is the lunch stop on North Stradbroke Island day tours from Brisbane, and one of the island’s highlights.

Where is Cylinder Beach?

Cylinder Beach is on the north shore of North Stradbroke Island, and faces north-east. This offers it a considerable degree of protection from the prevailing winds, and as such, the waves here tend to be reasonably small.

Swimming at Cylinder Beach

The waves are usually low at Cylinder Beach, Queensland, but that’s not always the case. Usually, however, it’s a reasonably safe place to swim. Surf life savers patrol this North Stradbroke Island beach during the summer months.

There can also be a bit of a wind-induced drift, which swimmers should at least be aware of.

The grassy reserve with picnic tables behind the beach makes Cylinder Beach popular with families.

6 supreme Brisbane day trips that will improve your holiday

Moreton Island day trip – with kayaking, sandboarding and snorkelling or with dolphin-feeding and desert dunes adventure.
Springbrook National Park glowworms and rainforest tour – including Tamborine Skywalk.
Eumundi Markets day trip – Australia’s best markets, plus the Sunshine Coast Hinterland and Noosa.
North Stradbroke Island day tour – with cruise, wildlife spotting and guided walk.
Tamborine Mountain winery tour – with gourmet lunch.
Maialia rainforest walking and wildlife tour – visit lesser-known D’Aguilar National Park.

Cylinder Beach camping

It’s also possible to go camping at Cylinder Beach. Choose between the Adder Rock camping ground at the western end or the Home Beach camping ground in the middle or the Cylinder Beach campground in the east.

Facilities are fairly basic at these North Stradbroke Island campgrounds, but at least there are toilets, showers and a laundry. Unpowered sites at the Cylinder Beach campground cost from $59 a night, and powered sites cost from $79.

Book via Minjerribah Camping.

9 brilliant Brisbane experiences to book in advance

Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary tickets (or entry plus river cruise combo) – hold a koala and see lots of adorable native wildlife.
Brisbane River cruise – see the key sights and learn about the city on the way.
Story Bridge Adventure Climb – walk along the top of Brisbane’s famous bridge, with 360 degree views.
Combine the Southbank Parklands, City Botanic Gardens and Kangaroo Point Cliffs on a fun Segway tour.
Helicopter flight – see the city from a bird’s eye view.
Kayaking tour – choose the night tour to see the city light up, the day tour to enjoy the sunshine.
XXXX brewery tour – see how Australia’s most famous beer is made.
Guided wine flight tasting – get an Aussie wine introductory course.
See Brisbane’s spooky side on a city centre ghost tour.

Other Cylinder Beach accommodation

Other Cylinder Beach accommodation includes the Stradbroke Island Beach Hotel, which is this part of the island’s pub. For arguably better accommodation options, try the Allure Stradbroke Resort and Islander Holiday Resort.

Backpackers should aim for the Manta Lodge YHA and Scuba Centre.

To get to North Stradbroke Island, take the Stradbroke Flyer ferry or hop on a day tour with departures from central Brisbane.