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Voykit pocket guide · Australia
Redland City
The Redlands
Base in Cleveland for one night, then take the ferry to North Stradbroke Island for 1–2 nights; skip Redland City as a standalone stop if you only have Brisbane time.
Redland City is the southeasternmost local government area of Greater Brisbane, about 30 km from the CBD by road and reachable by the Cleveland train line. It is the least-visited of the five Greater Brisbane LGAs and has few tourist facilities of its own; the main draw is North Stradbroke Island, the world's second-largest sand island, reached by ferry from Cleveland. Most travellers use Cleveland as a one-night staging point for the island rather than as a destination in itself.
- Country
- Australia
- Local name
- The Redlands
- Best months
- Apr–Oct (mild, dry); Sep–Nov for whale watching off Stradbroke
- Avoid
- Dec–Feb (hot, humid, storm season); school holidays for ferry crowds
- Stay
- 1–2 nights
Checked 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change; anything marked (check) is not confirmed.
Essentials
- Currency
- AUD
- Money
- Currency is the Australian dollar (AUD, A$). Contactless cards and phones are accepted almost everywhere, including public transport in the big cities; some small cafes are card-only.
- Daily spend
- Budget A$90–140 excl. bed · Mid A$150–250 excl. bed · High A$280+ excl. bed (estimate; check)
- SIM and data
- Telstra has the widest outback coverage; Optus and Vodafone (TPG) are cheaper and fine in cities and along highways.
- Emergency
- Police, fire, ambulance 000 · From mobiles 112
- Plugs
- Types I · 230 V · 50 Hz · Angled two- or three-pin Type I, shared with NZ, Fiji and China; sockets have their own switch — turn it on.
- Tipping
- Cafés and casual meals: Nothing; a tip jar is optional.; Restaurants: Not expected; 10% for very good service in a nice restaurant if you wish.; Taxi / rideshare: Round up or nothing.; Tours and guides: Optional; A$10–20 for a great day guide.; Surcharges: Weekend and public-holiday surcharges of 10–15% are legal if shown on the menu.
- Water
- Tap water is safe in cities and towns; in remote places use signed drinking taps. Carry plenty on any outback drive or walk.
- Toilets
- Free public toilets in parks, beaches, shopping centres and petrol stations (servos); the National Public Toilet Map app lists them.
What things cost
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Coffee | A$4–6 |
| Fish and chips (takeaway) | A$12–20 |
| Pub meal | A$20–35 |
| Ferry Cleveland to Dunwich, one way | A$20–25 (check) |
| Train Brisbane to Cleveland, one way | A$7–9 (check) |
| eSIM or data SIM, about a week | A$20–40 |
Desk estimates, checked 2026-09; check locally.
Get in
By air
- BNE · Brisbane Airport
- About 40–50 min by car via the tolled Gateway Motorway (M1) to Cleveland; no direct train from the airport to the Redlands.
Typical fares
- Train Brisbane to Cleveland
- about A$7–9, about 1 h (check)
- Ferry Cleveland to Dunwich
- about A$20–25, about 25–50 min (check)
- Taxi Cleveland to Capalaba
- about A$30–40 (check)
Get around
The Cleveland line runs from Brisbane (Roma Street) to Cleveland station, the primary rail stop in the Redlands. Redland City has no motorways; from the Brisbane CBD it is about 30 km on urban roads, a bit over half an hour without traffic. A car is useful for Capalaba, the art galleries and the island's far beaches; buses are limited and infrequent. Ferries to North Stradbroke Island leave from Cleveland.The Cleveland line runs from Brisbane (Roma Street) to Cleveland station, the primary rail stop in the Redlands. Redland City has no motorways; from the Brisbane CBD it is about 19 mi on urban roads, a bit over half an hour without traffic. A car is useful for Capalaba, the art galleries and the island's far beaches; buses are limited and infrequent. Ferries to North Stradbroke Island leave from Cleveland.
See and do
Known for
- North Stradbroke Island
- Cleveland Point Light
- Redland Museum
- Moreton Bay seafood
Day trips
| Where | How | Time |
|---|---|---|
| North Stradbroke Island | Ferry from Cleveland to Dunwich, then bus or car to Point Lookout | About 1.5–2 h from Cleveland |
| Brisbane CBD | Cleveland line train to Roma Street or Central | About 1 h |
| Capalaba | Drive or bus from Cleveland, about 20 min | About 30 min |
Sleep
- Cleveland
- Main town, train terminus, ferry terminal for North Stradbroke; motels and the visitor centre on Raby Bay Harbour.
- Raby Bay
- Canal-side apartments and restaurants, a short drive or walk from Cleveland station.
- Capalaba
- Inland shopping and services; cheaper beds but no ferry access, about 20 min drive from Cleveland.
- North Stradbroke Island (Dunwich / Point Lookout)
- Stay on the island to avoid a same-day ferry return; Point Lookout has the surf beaches and most accommodation.
Phrase card
| English | Say or show |
|---|---|
| Thank you | Thank you |
| How much is it? | How much is it? |
| Where is the ferry terminal? | Where is the ferry terminal? |
| Can I pay by card? | Can I pay by card? |
Etiquette, safety and scams
Etiquette
- Greeting: Handshake or 'G'day' / 'How are you going?'; first names from the start; avoid: Formal titles; long answers to 'how are you'
- Rounds: Buy your round ('shout') when drinking in a group; avoid: Leaving before your shout
- Queues: Queue patiently; sitting in the front seat of a taxi when alone is common; avoid: Pushing in — it is noticed
- Country: Listen to Welcomes and Acknowledgements; use local place names when offered; avoid: Touching artefacts or photographing ceremonies without permission
- Beach: Swim between the flags; respect lifesavers' instructions; avoid: Swimming at unpatrolled beaches alone
- Humour: Expect teasing and understatement; laugh along; avoid: Taking dry sarcasm literally or boasting
- Walking and driving: Keep left on footpaths and escalators; wave thanks to drivers who let you in; avoid: Stopping on the road to photograph kangaroos
Scams and watch-outs
- No motorway access: allow extra time from Brisbane in peak hour.
- Ferry and train timetables are limited in the evening; check the last service before booking a late dinner.
- Summer heat and humidity Dec–Feb; carry water on island walks.
- Some island beaches have strong currents and no patrolled swimming outside peak season.
Generally safe. The real risks are summer heat, unpatrolled surf on Stradbroke beaches and limited evening transport: check the last ferry and train before you commit to a late plan.
One and two days
No timed day plan for Redland City yet. Suggested stay: 1–2 nights. Build a day from the list below, mornings for the big sight.
- North Stradbroke Island
- Cleveland Point Light
- Redland Museum
- Moreton Bay seafood
Sources
Written by Voykit; facts cross-checked against these sources, last desk check 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change: check on the day.
- Redland City Council: www.redland.qld.gov.au/
- Visit Redlands Coast: www.visitredlandscoast.com.au/
- Wikivoyage: Redland City, revision 5158233 (CC BY-SA 4.0): en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?oldid=5158233
Pocket card
Cut along the border and keep it in your wallet. Show the local-script lines to a driver.
Redland CityThe Redlands
To this address, please
To this address, please
My hotel (write the name and address in the local script)
Most embassies and consulates-general are in Canberra or Sydney; the US and UK have consulates in Brisbane (check addresses).
Tipping is not expected in Australia.
Voykit · checked 2026-09
Printed from Voykit (/redland-city). Written by Voykit; checked 2026-09. Estimates only: confirm prices, hours and entry rules on the day.