The island paradise of Minjerribah (North Stradbroke Island) has been the ancestral home of the Quandamooka People for many thousands of years.
Minjerribah — Quandamooka country
Lying just across Moreton Bay from Brisbane, Minjerribah is well-known for its magnificent beaches and spectacular Humpback Whales, which often swim close to shore.
However, there is much more to this ancient sand island’s unique wildlife and ecology, as a newly published field guide illustrates beautifully.
A Nature Guide to North Stradbroke Island (Minjerribah) has been produced by the Friends of Stradbroke Island (FOSI), an environment group founded in 1988 to protect this unique place. A true labour of love, this new book explores in wonderful detail the beauty and complexity of Minjerribah’s natural environment.
The Friends of Stradbroke Island aims to protect and help restore the natural environment of Minjerribah and its surrounding waters. Preserving the full range of habitats of the island’s native species, including rare and endangered plants and animals, is a major goal. FOSI recognises the custodianship of the island’s Quandamooka People and aims to work positively and cooperatively with Minjerribah’s Traditional Owners in pursuit of its environmental goals.
I’ve visited North Stradbroke Island many times, and have always returned to the mainland full of wonder for this stunning place, so close to one of Australia’s largest cities.
In 1979 I walked with two friends from Dunwich south through the middle of the island — passing by large areas torn asunder by sand-mining, hiding from mining vehicles on sandy tracks, walking through spectacular swamps and sleeping under huge scribbly gums. Great memories.
Me, lost somewhere in a swamp and loving every minute, North Stradbroke Island, 1979.
Looking south-east from North Stradbroke back to Lamb and Russell islands, and the distant Border Ranges, 1979.
Walking companion Russell Kelley, 1979.
I’m happy to have been able to assist the Friends of Stradbroke Island in a small way through contributing some of my photos for this field guide. I applaud this group’s important work, which you can find out about here.
A few of my fave Minjerribah images (click on any pic for a closer look).
