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Boat ramps + parking

Launch close to South Straddie.

A practical guide to nearby public boat ramps, vehicle-and-trailer parking and the signs you must check before leaving the mainland.

Closest useful launch points

Ramps and parking, in one place.

The first five are the mainland ramps that Gold Coast Tourist Parks identifies as closest to the South Stradbroke campgrounds with vehicle-and-trailer parking.

01
Jacobs Well

Jacobs Well Boat Ramp

2 Esplanade / eastern end of Pimpama–Jacobs Well Road

Water access

Direct access toward southern Moreton Bay and Jumpinpin. A practical northern departure for Tipplers.

Parking

Large dedicated on-site vehicle-and-trailer area. A current Queensland planning report records parking for 105 car–trailer units.

Parking cost status

No parking fee published in the official sources checked

Popular and routinely congested at peak times. Arrive early and use only signed trailer bays.

02
Paradise Point

Paradise Point Boat Harbour Boat Ramp

Donald Avenue / Paradise Point Boat Harbour

Water access

Close Broadwater access for the southern and central parts of South Stradbroke Island.

Parking

The official South Stradbroke campground guide identifies vehicle-and-trailer parking at this ramp.

Parking cost status

No parking fee published in the official sources checked

The upgraded three-lane ramp reopened in July 2026. Follow the new line marking and signs.

03
Runaway Bay

Ray Street Boat Ramp · Ryder Park

Ray Street, Runaway Bay

Water access

A close mainland launch for North and South Currigee and the Broadwater.

Parking

The official campground guide identifies vehicle-and-trailer parking at Ray Street.

Parking cost status

No parking fee published in the official sources checked

Use the marked trailer area and do not use adjoining private or shopping-centre parking.

04
Runaway Bay

Howard Street Boat Ramp

1 Howard Street, Runaway Bay

Water access

A smaller ramp providing access to the northern Broadwater.

Parking

A specialist ramp directory reports about 12 on-site car-and-trailer spaces, with additional signed street parking nearby.

Parking cost status

No parking fee identified — verify every street and car-park sign

Single-lane, exposed to wind, current and boat wash, and can be shallow at low tide.

05
Hollywell

Jasmine Avenue Boat Ramp

Jasmine Avenue, Hollywell

Water access

Convenient northern Broadwater access near Runaway Bay.

Parking

The official campground guide identifies vehicle-and-trailer parking at this ramp.

Parking cost status

No parking fee published in the official sources checked

Park only in the signed car-and-trailer bays and keep rigging areas clear.

06
Paradise Point

Jabiru Island Boat Ramp

Jabiru Island Park, Paradise Point

Water access

Sheltered access to Coombabah Creek and the northern Broadwater.

Parking

Public park and ramp parking is available on the island; availability is limited during busy periods.

Parking cost status

No parking fee published — check all entry and bay signs

Confirm tides and channel suitability for your vessel before launching.

07
Hope Island / Boykambil

Boykambil Esplanade Boat Ramp

Bert Hood Street, Boykambil

Water access

Public access to the Coomera River and northern Broadwater waterways.

Parking

Use the dedicated ramp area and any nearby public spaces that are expressly signed for your vehicle type.

Parking cost status

No parking fee published — check signs before leaving the vehicle

The official facility record notes tidal and cross-current considerations.

08
Coombabah

Turana Street Boat Ramp

Turana Street, Coombabah

Water access

A smaller public ramp into Coombabah Creek.

Parking

Limited public parking is available around the ramp and adjoining recreation area.

Parking cost status

No parking fee published — check signs and avoid residential access

Smaller ramp; confirm tide, depth and route suitability before choosing it.

09
Labrador

Harley Park · Loders Creek Boat Ramp

Marine Parade, Labrador

Water access

Broadwater access from central Labrador.

Parking

Public park and ramp parking is available nearby, but spaces and time controls vary across Marine Parade.

Parking cost status

Some public spaces have no fee; signs and time limits control each bay

Do not assume every Marine Parade space accepts a car with trailer.

10
Southport

Broadwater Parklands Boat Ramp

Marine Parade, Southport

Water access

Large central launch point into the Broadwater with floating walkways.

Parking

Use the dedicated ramp parking. Nearby Southport areas can have paid or time-limited parking.

Parking cost status

Do not treat nearby Southport parking as automatically free

The upgraded ramp reopened in June 2025. Read the current parking signs before launching.

11
The Spit · Main Beach

Muriel Henchman Park Boat Ramps

Muriel Henchman Drive, Main Beach

Water access

Major launch precinct close to the Seaway and southern Broadwater.

Parking

The completed precinct was designed with 160 trailer parks, 144 car parks and six accessible car parks.

Parking cost status

No general parking fee published — event or temporary controls can apply

Check GCWA notices for events, closures and temporary traffic changes before towing to The Spit.

iChecked 26 July 2026. “No fee published” is not a promise of unrestricted free parking. Signs, line markings, time limits, reserved trailer bays, accessibility bays, event controls and temporary closures always take priority.

Closest no-fee options found

Start with dedicated ramp parking.

No parking charge was published for these public areas in the sources checked. They are the best places to check first, but you must still read every sign when you arrive.

Jacobs Well

Large dedicated on-site car-and-trailer area.

Paradise Point Boat Harbour

Dedicated vehicle-and-trailer parking identified by the official island campground guide.

Ray Street · Runaway Bay

Dedicated vehicle-and-trailer parking identified by the official island campground guide.

Howard Street · Runaway Bay

Small on-site trailer area plus signed nearby street spaces.

Jasmine Avenue · Hollywell

Dedicated vehicle-and-trailer parking identified by the official island campground guide.

Jabiru Island · Paradise Point

Public park parking near the ramp; busy-period capacity is limited.

Parking requirements

Read the sign, fit the bay, keep the ramp moving.

01

Signs legally control the space

Queensland requires drivers to obey official signs and line markings. A “P” without a number means no stated time limit; 2P means two hours during the displayed operating period.

02

Use the correct trailer bay

Do not take a car-only space with a car-and-trailer combination. Keep accessible, loading, rigging, emergency and turning areas clear.

03

Do not park on the ramp

A vehicle may be on a public boat ramp only while it is being used to launch or retrieve a vessel. Launch and retrieve as quickly as reasonably possible.

04

Street parking is not guaranteed

Check time limits, vehicle restrictions, yellow lines, driveways, intersections and whether the full combination can fit legally without obstructing anyone.

05

Private car parks have their own rules

Shopping-centre, marina and business parking is private. Do not leave a tow vehicle or trailer there unless the owner expressly allows it.

06

Plan for peak demand

Weekends, school holidays, weather windows and events can fill ramp parking early. Carry a second-ramp plan and never invent a space on grass or a verge.

Before leaving the ramp

Weather, tides, fuel and a return plan.

South Stradbroke Island has no road connection. Confirm your destination, return route, marine forecast, tide, fuel, required safety equipment and communications before launching.

Emergency

Call 000 when life is in immediate danger. On the water, use VHF channel 16. For non-emergency marine assistance call Marine Rescue Queensland on 131 677.

Open emergency contacts