Activities

Fishing, crabbing, swimming in the Broadwater enclosure, wildlife spotting and bird watching are all great activities available at Tipplers Campground. The surf beach is within a short and pleasant walk and a volleyball court is located close to the swimming enclosure. Ping pong tables are available for guests to enjoy free of charge.

Please note there are no patrolled beaches on the island.

Amenities and barbeques

The campground maps indicate location of amenity buildings and barbeque facilities.

Please respect others and clean up after use.

To ensure facilities are kept to acceptable standards for guests, we would appreciate reports of any maintenance issues at your earliest convenience. Let us know of blocked toilets, taps that won’t turn off, lack of toilet paper, etc. Call the manager on 07 5577 2849 or visit us in reception located at the cafe counter.

Campground facilities are for paying guests only. Please do not share access codes with others.

Campsite cleanliness

Please keep your campsite tidy and use the facilities provided to dispose of rubbish. Please use recycling bins responsibly.

Please do not move fire rings as breakage is likely to occur. Reimbursement for breakage will be charged to guest’s account.

Camp fires

For the safety of guests and our pristine island, please ensure camp fires are only lit in the fire rings provided, never left unattended and extinguished prior to retiring for the night.

Placing of rubbish in the fire rings and moving of fire rings is not permitted.

Check-in time

Sites and Island Shacks – 11am

Check-out time

Sites and Island Shacks – 10am

Occupancy after this time will be charged as an additional day.

Late check outs – 2:30pm depending on availability. Visit reception or call for fees and availability. Site fees are calculated until 10am on the day of departure. If your travel arrangements are inconvenienced by these times, please contact reception to make alternative arrangements.

Children

Supervising children is vital for their safety and helps make sure they do not disturb other guests.

Children under 12 years old must be accompanied by an adult when visiting the showers and toilets.

Customer feedback

We hope you enjoy your stay and welcome your feedback which helps us continue to improve our service and facilities. Please share your experience with others by leaving a review on Google, Facebook, or Tripadvisor.

Essential items to bring

It is essential to bring your own drinking water as the campground water is sourced from a borehole and is not suitable for drinking. Drinking water is sold at the cafe/kiosk.

Other essentials to bring include torch lights, camping gear, extra fuel and mechanical parts for boating, and mobile phone chargers. You may bring your own firewood onto the island or purchase it from the campground reception.

Island Shacks include bedding, linen, lanterns, blankets, and towels. Toiletries are not provided.

Emergency contact

For all potentially life threatening emergencies, please dial 000. Also please contact reception if further assistance is required.

Evacuation procedures

In an emergency, follow the directions of staff. If we need to evacuate the campgrounds make your way directly to our evacuation area – marked ‘Evacuation Point’ on the map.

Self evacuation is advised, when directed.

Fees

Fees must be paid upon booking. Extra guests can be added to your site (maximum of 6 per site) by calling the campground or visiting the reception counter located in the cafe.

Garbage/litter and Recycling

Please help us look after our environment by using the rubbish bins provided at the campground for your convenience. Wrap all garbage prior to disposal and please use recycling bins responsibly.

Placing of rubbish in the fire rings is not permitted.

Generators not permitted

For the comfort of guests, generators are not permitted.

Information

For local information, where to eat, activities and events, ask our friendly staff in reception.

Keys

Prior to departing, please return Island Shack keys to reception. Should this time be outside of office hours, please ensure you pre-arrange your key return with the manager. Keys for Tipplers Campground may be returned to Tipplers Café when reception is closed.

Kiosk

Located within an easy stroll 400m north of Tipplers Campground. Open daily 9am to 3pm. When the kiosk is closed, please see friendly Café staff for kiosk and camping requirements.

The kiosk stocks water, ice, firewood, toiletries, milk, bread, lollies, cold drinks, ice creams, bait, snacks, weekend papers and kids activity packs. Firewood, ice and weekend newspaper deliveries may be arranged by phone, requiring credit card payment. Call the kiosk on 07 5577 2849.

Licensed Café – Tipplers

Located adjacent to Tipplers Kiosk, 400m north of the campground. Open 7 days. Bookings are required for groups of 10 or more. Call 07 5577 3025 to book.

View details about the Café’s menu and opening hours online at tipplerscafe.com.au.

Lighting

Please consider the comfort of other campers by not using excessive lighting throughout the campground.

The use of fireworks and flares is prohibited.

Lockers for Hire

Lockers are available to campground guests for daily hire at Tipplers and South Currigee. Powered lockers with a USB port are also available for hire, allowing campers to safely charge their mobile devices. Access is with a combination lock code from the manager.

Native vegetation

The campground is completely surrounded by native bushland, with the lack of commercial development being one of the island’s best features.

Please help us to preserve this superb natural reserve by leaving the trees and bushes untouched. Collection of timber from within the campground or surrounding conservation area is prohibited. Use of chain saws is not permitted and axes may only be used for splitting firewood either brought from the mainland or purchased from reception.

Any deliberate injury caused to any native fauna or flora will be referred to the police.

Noise

Quiet time is from 10pm to 7am.

Consider your neighbours by keeping the volume down on radios, televisions, mobile devices and social gatherings. Excessive noise or abusive language will not be tolerated and can result in guests or visitors being asked to leave. Please ensure all visitors have left the campground by 10pm and do not return before 7am.

Personal information

We are required to comply with the Information Privacy Act 2009. Any information you have supplied to us is only used for the purpose that it was collected for. We will not disclose your personal information (including confirming whether or not you are staying in the campground) to any person. Should anyone wish to visit you while you are staying in the campground, we recommend you contact them to advise where you are located in the campground, as we will not pass on this information.

Pets

Please help us to protect the wildlife found naturally in the surrounding conservation park by not bringing your pets onto the island. Dogs and cats are prohibited within the Regional Park (managed by Queensland Parks and Wildlife Services) and not permitted at any of the campgrounds managed by the City of Gold Coast.

Playgrounds

Please refer to the campground map for location of the children’s playground at Tipplers. Another playground is located at Tipplers Café. Children under 12 years old must be supervised by an adult.

Smoking is not permitted within 10 metres of the equipment, as per Qld law.

Public Jetties

Jumping, diving or pushing off any of the public jetties located off the island, is strictly prohibited.

Reception – Campground

Located within an easy stroll 400m north of Tipplers Campground at Tipplers Kiosk. Open 8am to 6pm daily.

Refunds

Cancellation fees apply. See reception for refund policy or view on our website Terms & Conditions page.

Security

We’d like your holiday to be enjoyable. Holidaying is a great time to get to know your neighbours and keep an eye out for each other’s belongings.

Your security is important to us. We recommend you keep your possessions and accommodation safely secured at all times. If you have any concerns, please speak to one of our friendly staff.

Smoking

Smoking is not permitted within any buildings, nor within 10 metres of the Children’s Playground, as per Qld law.

Swimming enclosure – Tipplers

A safe swimming enclosure is located only 300 metres north of Tipplers Campground. It is advised that children should be supervised by an adult.

Vehicles

The safety of all guests is vital. Vehicles other than those operated by the City of Gold Coast, including 4WDs and ATVs may not be driven through the campground at any time.

Water (Bore) – Not for drinking

Please conserve water by keeping your showers short and reporting leaking taps to our reception staff.

All water provided within the campground is bore water. Although it is safe for showers and washing dishes, please do not drink this bore water as it is not suitable for human consumption.

Wildlife

For the health and safety of our guests and protection of the wildlife found naturally on the island, please do not feed the animals or birds at any time.

While we may enjoy handing out food, this action is detrimental to the wildlife which includes protected species. Feeding wildlife is disruptive to their natural feeding habits and encourages unnatural behaviour like trying to gain access to your tent accommodation and food containers.

There are some places in this world that leave a lasting impression and Tipplers Campground is one of them. While we always welcome new guests to our island paradise, most visitors who experience a camping trip at South Stradbroke Island vow to visit again and again.

The entire island is a natural reserve – no high rise hotels, no noisy traffic or busy streets. Just a sky full of stars, a crackling campfire and the soothing rhythm of waves lapping at the shore outside your tent.

South Stradbroke offers calm waterways on one side, virtually untouched natural bushland through the centre and 22km of pristine surf beach on the ocean side, with barely a soul in sight. Between June and October it’s a stunning spot to catch glimpses of humpback whales on their annual migration north to breed. You might also get a visit from inquisitive wallabies at your campsite!

Tipplers is only accessible by boat which creates a very restful atmosphere at the campground but means you’ll need to be self-sufficient. If you don’t have your own boat, you can hire or charter one, or book a water taxi to transport you to this piece of paradise. Tipplers Ferry is a great option – Click here for further information about this service. Onsite tents are a great option for those who want to travel light.

Tipplers Licensed Café serves up superb meals for breakfast, lunch and dinner and Tipplers Kiosk provides basic groceries and camping essentials like ice and firewood (campfires on the beach are all part of the charm!).

With well managed and maintained facilities that have been recently upgraded, friendly staff and island rangers on hand to ensure your stay is extraordinary, and so much natural beauty surrounding you, Tipplers is guaranteed to be remembered as one of the best holiday you’ve ever had.

Please help us to protect the wildlife found naturally in this pristine area by not bringing your dogs or generators onto the island. Dogs are prohibited within the Conservation Park (managed by Queensland Parks and Wildlife Services) and all three campgrounds managed by the City of Gold Coast.

VISITOR INSTAGRAM GALLERY#southstradbrokecamping

Tipplers Accessibility Guide

At Gold Coast Tourist Parks we are committed to creating extraordinary holiday experiences for everyone. We aim to welcome guests with the highest level of customer service and hospitality, regardless of their individual needs.

Download Tipplers Accessibility Guide

Access to the island is exclusively by boat

South Stradbroke Island is the 15th largest sand island in the world. Access is exclusively by boat. Visit this beautiful Gold Coast island by private boat, water taxi, boat hire, jet ski tour or local cruise boat.

The boat ride across to Tipplers is approximately 30 minutes from most Gold Coast boat ramps. The Tipplers Ferry offers daily transfers to the island via Jacobs Well. Call Tipplers directly or click here to book online.

The closest Gold Coast boat ramps with vehicle and trailer parking are:

• Jacobs Well Boat Ramp, 2 Esplanade, Jacobs Well
• Ray Street Boat Ramp, Runaway Bay
• Howard Street Boat Ramp, Runaway Bay
• Jasmine Avenue Boat Ramp, Hollywell
• Paradise Point Boat Harbour Boat Ramp, Donald Avenue, Paradise Point

For more information on Gold Coast boat ramps, click here.

Alternatively, there are Water Taxi services available that will transfer you and your camping gear to and from the island. Contact the team at Tipplers to book or if you need further advice in relation to island transfers.

Access to the campgrounds – Remote soft sand island camping

The camping grounds are completely surrounded by native bushland, with white sand dunes facing the blue Pacific Ocean on the eastern side of the Island and the magnificent Broadwater on the western side.

Tipplers Campground features a pontoon. However, the gangway is narrow and does not meet current fully accessible standards.

Amenities block

The campground amenities block features one ambulant toilet in both the Gents and Ladies.

Tipplers Café and Kiosk

Tipplers Café features a pontoon. However, the gangway is narrow and does not meet current fully accessible standards. The pathway leading from the gangway is accessible. The café features a fully accessible toilet.

City of Gold Coast Mobility Maps

The City’s mobility maps are designed to provide accessibility information to assist residents and visitors to plan their stay and move around the city safely. Map information includes the location of accessible toilets, change facilities, accessible car parking spaces, pathway gradients, location of kerb ramps and key buildings and services. Transport information for light rail stations, bus stops and bus routes is also featured.

Printed and electronic mobility maps are now available for Broadbeach, Burleigh Heads, Surfers Paradise, Southport Central Business District (CBD) and Broadwater Parklands. Visit cityofgoldcoast.com.au/mobilitymaps for more information.

Access to the island is exclusively by boat.

South Stradbroke Island is the 15th largest sand island in the world. Access is exclusively by boat. Visit this beautiful Gold Coast island by private boat, water taxi, boat hire, jet ski tour or local cruise boat.

The boat ride across to Tipplers is approximately 30 minutes from most Gold Coast boat ramps. The Tipplers Ferry offers daily transfers to the island via Jacobs Well. Call Tipplers directly or click here to book online.

Book Tipplers Ferry

The closest Gold Coast boat ramps with vehicle and trailer parking are:

• Jacobs Well Boat Ramp, 2 Esplanade, Jacobs Well
• Ray Street Boat Ramp, Runaway Bay
• Howard Street Boat Ramp, Runaway Bay
• Jasmine Avenue Boat Ramp, Hollywell
• Paradise Point Boat Harbour Boat Ramp, Donald Avenue, Paradise Point

For more information on Gold Coast boat ramps, click here.

Alternatively, there are Water Taxi services available that will transfer you and your camping gear to and from the island. Contact the team at Tipplers to book or if you need further advice in relation to island transfers.

Tipplers Campground Campfire Guidelines

Campfires are permitted at Tipplers, North and South Currigee Campgrounds. To ensure that you, your guests, and the rest of our Park guests enjoy their stay in a safe environment, please refer to the following guidelines and sign the Campfire Guidelines and Waiver prior to arrival.

1. The campfire must be contained in a suitable receptacle approved by Tourist Park management:
   1. Fire receptacles are available at each site which are on the ground and made of either concrete or metal. Guests can only use the fire receptacles supplied.
2. The campfire must be kept within the confines of the receptacle.
3. The use of campfires is at the Park Managers discretion and/or local authorities’ direction.
4. Campfires are not permitted during major weather events like storms, excessive winds or where a total fire ban is in place. Directives from the Tourist Park management and/or local Queensland Fire and Emergency Services (QFES) authorities are final.
5. Campfires must be located at the front of the site, away from overhanging branches, gardens and at least three (3) metres away from camping equipment and other flammable items.
6. Starting a campfire – suitable ignition sources:
   1. Matches, fire lighters or fire starters
   2. Paper or small kindling
7. Banned ignition sources – all kinds of flammable liquids (such as petrol)
8. Glass, rubbish, flammable liquids, or explosive items are not permitted in or near the campfire.
9. Types of fuel allowed to be used:
   1. Seasoned dry firewood
   2. Untreated timbers
   3. Commercial coals
10. Collection of firewood or kindling from the park or adjacent reserves is prohibited as it forms an important part of the park and surrounding natural environment.
11. Campfires are not to be left unattended at any time.
12. Extinguishing the campfire:
    1. Guests need to ensure there is enough water close by to extinguish the campfire; and
    2. Must extinguish and the embers cooled with water prior to sleep or leaving the site.
    3. Note: Never use soil or sand to extinguish the campfire as embers can remain hot and can cause a bushfire, burn or injury.
13. Children of any age must not be left unsupervised near a campfire.
14. To keep smoke nuisance to a minimum so not to impact other guests, only dry fuel (firewood/timber etc.) must be used.
15. Under no circumstances is hot ash to be disposed of in the bins, gardens, or waterways around the park.
16. Those guests not abiding by the conditions of use or are behaving in a reckless nature with or around the campfire may be asked to leave the park and potentially jeopardise any future stays at Gold Coast Tourist Parks.

Download waiver