Cylinder Beach is a patrolled surf beach at Point Lookout on North Stradbroke Island, and one of the most popular places on the island for a swim. It is backed by dunes and coastal bush, with a car park, public toilets and a campground facing the sand.
It is sheltered from the prevailing winds and the gentle surf suits beginners, while more experienced surfers also paddle out. You reach the island by ferry from Cleveland, so most visitors make a day of it. For the island itself, see our North Stradbroke Island guide.
Swimming and surfing at Cylinder Beach
Lifeguards from Point Lookout Surf Club patrol the beach. Patrols run through the season, from the first weekend of the September school holidays to the long weekend in May, but the tourism pages do not publish daily hours, so contact the club for current times. Swim between the red and yellow flags, and if there are no flags up, treat the beach as unpatrolled.
The gentle waves suit learners on a board and children paddling at the edge. Snorkelling and fishing are also listed as things to do here.
Cylinder Beach and the other Point Lookout beaches
Point Lookout Surf Life Saving Club, founded in 1947, patrols two beaches and has its clubhouse at Main Beach, a short drive away. Cylinder Beach is the one with the car park, public toilets and campground close to the sand, and cafes, restaurants and shops are within easy reach. That makes it an easy base for families with small children, who need to be able to get back to a bathroom or a snack quickly.
Camping at Cylinder Beach
The Cylinder Beach campground is at 300 Dickson Way and faces the beach. It is shaded and sheltered from the prevailing winds, and a 2WD vehicle is fine. It has 59 unpowered tent sites, 8 powered van sites, 3 Eco Island Tents (no ensuite) and one three-bedroom house.
- Facilities: drinking water, toilets, hot showers on a timer and a coin laundry.
- Rules: one vehicle per site, no open fires or generators, and dogs are not permitted.
- Phone coverage: limited.
Book through Minjerribah Camping. For more ideas see the camping page and camping with kids.
Is Cylinder Beach dog friendly?
No. Redland City Council lists the foreshore, seashore and reserve at Cylinder Beach as a place prohibited to dogs. Check the council’s list before you travel with a dog, and ask council or the Quandamooka rangers about the other Point Lookout beaches, because the council list does not cover Main Beach.
Walks and views near the beach
Redland City Council’s Minjerribah Panorama Coastal Walk is the pedestrian link between Point Lookout village and Cylinder Beach. It has boardwalks, a viewing platform and a rebuilt Frenchmans Stairs down to Frenchmans Beach, and the first stage runs between Snapper Street and Frenchmans Stairs. For the Gorge Walk and whale watching, see Point Lookout.
Planning your visit
- How long: a morning or afternoon covers a swim and a walk. Stay overnight at the campground to see the beach at both ends of the day.
- Cost: the tourism listings state no entry or parking fee. Camping is paid and booked in advance.
- Food: cafes, restaurants and shops are nearby in Point Lookout.
- Accessibility: the regional tourism listing says the beach welcomes people with access needs.
- What to bring: a hat, sunscreen, water and a towel. Leave dogs at home.
Getting there and parking
The drive from Brisbane CBD to Toondah Harbour in Cleveland is about 40 minutes by car. Then take the vehicle ferry to Dunwich (45 to 50 minutes) and drive about 25 minutes by road to Cylinder Beach. Timetables are on the island’s tourism site, and the North Stradbroke Island guide covers ferry booking and Toondah Harbour parking.
Without a car, take the water taxi from Cleveland to Dunwich (about 25 minutes), where Stradbroke Island Buses meet it, then Transit Systems route 880 towards Point Lookout, which stops at Mooloomba Rd at Cylinder Beach. SeaLink and Stradbroke Flyer both run water taxis. Check the Translink route 880 timetable before you go.
There is ample car parking at the beach, and no parking fee is listed.
Nearby
- Point Lookout – the village, headland, Main Beach and the Gorge Walk.
- North Stradbroke Island – ferries, camping and 4WD permits.
- Coochiemudlo Island – a smaller island with a short ferry from Victoria Point.
- Beaches, swimming spots and more on North Stradbroke Island.
Quick answers
Is Cylinder Beach patrolled?
Yes, by Point Lookout Surf Club. Contact the club for current patrol hours, and swim between the flags.
Can you take dogs to Cylinder Beach?
No. Council lists the foreshore, seashore and reserve as prohibited to dogs.
Is there parking at Cylinder Beach?
Yes, there is ample car parking and no parking fee is listed.
Can you camp at Cylinder Beach?
Yes. The Cylinder Beach campground at 300 Dickson Way has tent sites, powered van sites and eco tents, booked through Minjerribah Camping.
How do you get to Cylinder Beach without a car?
Take a water taxi from Cleveland to Dunwich, then Transit Systems route 880, which stops at Mooloomba Rd at Cylinder Beach. North Stradbroke fares differ from standard Translink fares.
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