Law firm marketing: Making the most of what you’ve got!

2011 October 13
by squadron

Whether the legal marketing strategy for your law company depends on online marketing, niche marketing to particular industries, traditional advertising, or just retaining and growing wallet share of your stable of clients, you’ll need to create content.

Content is an essential part of legal marketing, without it you may as well not bother with a law firm marketing plan. However, producing content means hard work, and you want to make the best of the writing that you manage to produce. Following are several suggestions for making sure you use two of the most commonly produced types of legal marketing content as effectively as you can.

Law Firm Marketing – Written material (blogs, email alerts, brochures, guides, information sheets)
If you’ve produced some worthwhile, interesting material in any of the types above, don’t just send it off once or print it and leave it to stagnate in your reception area. You can distribute the content as broadly as is possible. For each item of writing you produce, consider:

- Have I distributed it to as many, relevant, clients as I can?
- Is it loaded onto my website?
- Have I sent it directly to referrers, associates and other professionals?
- Have I linked to it with a post on Facebook and a tweet on Twitter?
- Has it been sent to media contacts?
- Is everyone in the company aware of it and can they explain it further if a client has queries about it?
- Can I transform it into another style of content and distribute in a different form?

Law Firm Marketing – Presentations
Presentations are generally prepared with a particular audience in mind, or because of a particular request. Therefore they are often presented once then left to become stale. All of the time required to prepare them results in only a one time showing. If you want to get more out of your presentation consider:

- What other companies may I present it to?
- How could I let the greatest number of people know about it?
- Have I mentioned it on my website, Facebook, Twitter, and suggested that I present it to others?
- Is it relevant to send the presentation in hard copy to people who were unable to attend the seminar?
- Could I record an audio or video of the presentation and distribute it electronically online or directly?
- Can I write an article or blog discussing questions that arose from the presentation?
- Have I followed up with additional content to all the people who were at the presentation?

Although these suggestions might feel like additional work at a time when you’ve probably damaged your monthly billings with the amount of time you spent preparing the first lot of material, it’s important to consider that it’s far easier to add a tiny amount of time now to really impact on the impression you’ve already produced than it is to produced a completely new piece of legal marketing material.

Increase the results of all the time and effort you put into law firm marketing and you’ll see that the next time you create some content you’ll feel more confident about how effective the results will be.

John Gray is a practising lawyer and the Senior Marketer at John Gray Marketing, an Australian specialist law firm and legal marketing consultancy. If you are interested in law marketing, legal marketing and marketing for lawyers, contact John Gray today.

Relationship Combatibility Factors

2011 October 12

Relationship and Marriage counseling can assist you find out how suitable you are.

The two most important factors that decide how similar you are as a couple are:

A similar degree of psychological vitality and maturity and a similar ranking of Instinctual Variants.

What are Instinctual Variants?
The 3 Instincts represent the natural energy or drive that are innately part of us as humans. Our actions are highly engaged with and often dependent on these libidinal, instinctual energies to give it its spark.

Self Preservation Instinct.
People of this Instinctual type are preoccupied with the essential existential needs as they translate into our modern society, for example, finance, food, accomodation, health, safety and comfort.
Being safe and physically comfortable are priorities, and they will tend to bring these supplies with them.
When entering a room, they will tend to notice lighting, uncomfortable chairs, the room temperature, when the lunch break will be, and whether they will enjoy the food provided. They tend also to be the most practical in the sense of taking care of important life necessities.
They are the most introverted of the types.

Sexual/ Intimate Instinct.
People of this type have a strong desire for severity of experience and affection. The blunt riveting gaze is the dead giveaway. When they enter a situation they gravitate toward people they feel attracted to, as if they are looking for the juice. These people can be intimacy addicts, often ignoring pressing obligations or even basic maintenance if they are infatuated with something that has captured them. This gives a wide ranging exploratory approach to life, but can also give a lack of focus on one’s own goals.

Social Instinct.
People of this variation are preoccupied on their interactions with others and with the sense of value and esteem they receive from their involvement in collective activities. These include occupation, family, side activities and clubs.
On entering a room, these people would immediately be aware of the power structures and subtle politics between the different people and groups. They are subconsciously attuned on other’s reaction to them, particularly about whether they are being accepted or not.
They need to touch base with others to feel safe, acknowledged and energised. They seem to enjoy interacting with others, but they avoid intimacy.
They are the most extroverted of the types.

Within each person, one of these three Instincts will predominate. In fact these 3 variants can be ranked like the layers of a cake, with the most predominant one at the top. The weakest one, at the bottom, is termed the blind spot.
These inherent instincts play an essential role in our relationships because personalities of the same variant tend to share values to understand each other completely, and therefore feel very compatible.

In relationships between 2 different Instinctual types, each will struggle to convert the other.

For further information on discovering whether you and your partner are compatible, contact the Hart Centre Australia. We are Australia’s premier relationship and marriage counselling service with 53 locations Australia wide, and 8 relationship counselling centres in Brisbane, 3 marriage counselling centres in the Gold Coast, and 2 relationship counselling locations on the Sunshine Coast. Phone 1300 830 552 for appointments at all centres.

For relationship counselling Brisbane, marriage counselling gold coast and marriage counselling sunshine coast, contact your local Hart Centre.

Stone Veneer

2011 October 10
by squadron

Stone veneer is a modern way to decorate the walls of a making. The stone veneer cladding presents a stylish method adopted by architects to impart a dynamic look to a lifeless framework. This is mostly used for aesthetic purposes and has a long life. The elegance and simplicity of stone veneer provides homeowners, architects, builders and developers with a versatility and flexibility to be more to inventive. Stone veneer is also properly used in landscape and complementing the natural beauty of the open spaces as well.

Stone Veneer acts as a ornamental and protective protecting on exterior as well inside walls and surfaces. The veneer is usually one inch heavy; it is lighter in weight in weight and weighs about 15 lbs. / sq. ft. It does not need any extra structural support for its installation.

Stone Veneer is mostly made from natural stones. It can also be produced from manufactured stones. The natural stone veneer is manufactured from stone, which is collected from quarries or as area stone. The stone is then sawn using huge diamond impregnated cutters equally spaced to get the slices of the stone in a consistent heavyness and weight. This stone is also known as “thin stone veneer”.

Besides the natural stone veneer, manufacture stone veneer is also a decorative creating material. It is produced to imitate the appearance of natural stone. There are many leaders used for this type of veneer. The stacked stone veneer, artificial stone veneer, manufactured stone veneer and versatile stone veneer are various names used for stone veneer.

Stone veneer is produced by mixing a lightweight concrete mix to rubber molds of different type. These are painted with a coloring process to make them look like the real stone. yet another method to make stone veneer is by casting and molding it from chemically modified lightweight concrete. Stone veneer is actually a replica of natural stone. It takes the finest details of the original stone. At a close look, the artificial stone veneers appear just like original stones.

The stone veneer is mostly used as a siding on the walls. It can be fixed on the walls using particular good quality mortars for highest adhesion and strength. versatile stone veneer is manufactured by slicing a thin level of a stone. It is then backed by some composite material. It can be produced in a variety of designs and colors employing different stones. The manufactured stone veneer is less costly than natural stone veneer and there is the least amount of wastage in its use.

Manufactured stone veneer costs almost 1/3 to 1/2 the cost of making use of natural stone. since of the lightweight of the manufactured stone veneer, there is no need for wall ties or any footings. It tends to make the construction easier and thereby lowers the cost. There is a vast variety of designs, patterns and colors available on manufactured options as compared to the natural stone simply because the natural stone is generally used in the area close to where it is extracted due to the huge transportation rates.

Manufactured stone veneer is relatively less strong as compared to natural stone rock walls, but many applications do not call for higher strength as visuals is a more important issue in many cases. Stone veneer is also not reusable like natural stones.

Stone veneer provides the natural look of the stones at inexpensive prices. Stone veneers are preferred these days for most of decorative facing in creatings and open spaces.

Cheap SEO packages- what to look for in these services

2011 October 9
by squadron

The term SEO as we all know is an acronym of search engine optimisation which is the process of improving a websites visibility on search engines. Websites that are highly ranked in search results have more website visitors. SEO targets many possibilitys such as image search, local search, video search and academic search. Today, there are many companies offering cheap SEO packages~deals} for consumerss~shoppers~buyers} who want their sites’ rankings to rise. SEO’s (acronym referring to search engine optimizers) use different methods to obtain good search engine marketing on the client’s website.

Any company offering cheap SEO bundles~deals} should be able to permit the purchasers site rise in the search engines fast. When many internet users search for a particular term(also referred to as ‘keyword’), they perceive the ones at the top as having more relevance to the key phrase. while there are many aspects that contribute to a website finding to the top spot (or at least amongst the top ten), SEO comes in handy to make sure that this is achieved in a short time period of time. becoming professional, SEO’s know what is best for a site and how to go about producing sure that it rises to the top. They use a variety of tactics that are all geared towards achieving the same.

A few of the methods they use include:

-Back links building and,
- LSI (Latent Semantic Index) content writing.

In back link building, inbound links are used to improve a site’s visibility. Inbound hyperlinks are from other sites and they are important mainly because of their significance to search engine marketing. A site with a big number of back links is one indication that it is preferred and of significance to others too. Google and other web search engines determine the Page Rank of a website or webpage due to the number of back hyperlinks it has. It is Thus worth noting that this SEO option is of great importance to any website owner who wants his site to get ranked fast.

LSI content articles writing is among the most common SEO selections. since search engines rely on the content on the website or webpage so that it gets ranked, having a website that is well taken care of in this area is very important to the owner. For instance, Google is very rigorous when it comes to content. They need a webpage to have key phrase rich content so that it can get good rankings. In many cases, search engine optimizers be able to write content for consumer}s observing keyword density and also length. articles or blog posts of considerable good length are better placed to get ranked much less difficult than short ones with crappy content. All articles or blog posts have to be free from plagiarism. This means that they are authentic and written by the site owner and are not copied from other sources.

In most cases, customer}s who consult these inexpensive SEO bundles~deals} providers want solutions so as to improve rankings to their money making websites. They either have affiliate hyperlinks on their sites, promote CPA, run Ad sense or offer services that people pay for. To them, it is an investment and For that reason it makes perfect reason for finding good site rankings.

To get the best low-cost SEO package, a consumer} demands to look for the following qualities:

- whether the company has been offering the providers for a considerable time period of time,

-whether the company charges reasonably,

-no matter whether the company offers all the companies that he/she desires and also,

-regardless of whether the company has reviews from previous successful projects.

Having discovered that all the above stages~factors} are well taken care of, he/she can from that point order their companies. The buyer} should ensure that all instructions and particulars are meticulously tended to before giving them out to the SEO guys. using low-cost SEO package deals~deals} has proven to be the most efficient way that website owners use to make to the top of the web search engine results. because of the ever growing internet working with population globally, these companies will continue to provide their solutions to the ever hungry website owners who also want to get a piece of the large chunk of money made from the internet. To sum up, we can say that this is two way traffic as both the customer and the service provider need one other.

Looking for a cheap SEO packages? Try this new service from Search Tempo. These cheap SEO packages are just about the best value on the internet.

Things To Consider When Hiring A Spit Roast

2011 October 9
by squadron

If you are an avid party thrower and you want that extra special somematter to add that element of glam to your party, spit roast hire is a great idea. Spits come in different sizes and depending on the number of people today at your party and the amount of space you have at your disposal, you can roast a few of chickens or even a whole pig or goat. When thinking of spit roast hire there are several easy ways to procure what you need through the yellow webpages and the internet. Nevertheless, before you go in for spit roast hire, there are some important things you must take into consideration.

Do It yourself v/s catering.
For a lot of men and women, do it oneself options are much better because they can save on lots of money. Setting up a spit and really cooking on it can be a time consuming and cumbersome task. When it will come to spit roast hire, there are corporations which will let you simply hire the spit roast and do everyissue on your own, or give you a totally loaded bundle in which everypoint from setting up, cleaning up and serving is done by a team of professional caterers. So depending on whether you have enough time or not you can decide if you want to do it all yourself or pay someone else to do it for you.

Gas Spit v/s Charcoal Spit
When taking into consideration spit roast hire, you must first decide what kind of a spit you will need. There are spits that work on charcoal and those that work on gas. Weigh the pros and cons of each type and decide which one you want. The good point about charcoal spits is the fact that the meat you cook on it will keep the delightful smokey flavor of the charcoal. Gas spits will not let for that. Even so, charcoal spits are untidy, they create a lot of smoke cigarettes and can be dangerous if not attended to. Gas spits are scraper, make less of a mess and don’t create as much smoke a cigarette. Another disadvantage of charcoal spits is that you are unable to use them in closed spaces because they create a lot of heat and burn. If you plan to cook indoors, a gas spit makes much more sense. However, with gas spits you have to make sure the enclosed area is well ventilated.

Size Does Matter
Another important aspect of spit roast hire you must consider is the size of spit you need. What kind of meat are you planning to cook? A spit roast is a very versatile strategy of cooking and everyfactor from cow, venison, bull, goat and pig can be cooked on it. depending on the type of and amount of meat you want to cook, you have to choose an appropriately sized spit . For illustration if you wish to cook a full grown goat, you will need a spit that make it possible fors for 25kgs. Of course, the bigger the spit size you choose, the more expensive the affair will be. talking about spit roast hire, gas spits come in a limited number of sizes whereas charcoal spits are available in a larger range of sizes.

Cost Of Charcoal v/s Gas Spit
One of the most important issues that you must keep in mind when going in for spit roast hire, is the cost. You have to first figure out how much you can afford and how much you are willing to spend to hire a spit roast. A lot of folks feel that charcoal spits are cheaper which in fact is not the case. Technically if you go to see, charcoal and gas spits cost practically the same if you take the total cost of cooking into consideration. The fee to hire a charcoal spit is much less than that of a gas spit but what you must take into consideration is the fact that charcoal spits require additional fuel whereas gas spits don’t.

So depending on whether you are having an interior or outdoor party or if you want to be extravagant or minimalistic, put some time into research, figure out what you need and then go in for the right spit roast hire. For more information about spit roast hire Brisbane, visit http://spitroasthire.brisbaneoz.com/

The Importance of Proofing Designs

2011 October 7
by squadron

You’ve made up your mind that it’s time for a new website or image. For many, the first step is to choose the right organization. However, the first thing you should do is develop at least a basic concept of what you expect from the finished product. Not only is this step often overlooked in the initial phase of project formulation, but also during the creative briefing stage after hiring a design company.

Everyone wants to hand off a project to the professionals and let them take care of everything. If you’re having your car washed, then nothing is really needed from you. For other projects, you need to be more directly involved. Website design and graphic design are two fields where getting involved yourself is essential to the ideal design for you and your business.

During your first meeting with a website and graphic design firm, you should supply them with your estimations and goals. This gives the company something of a starting point. This doesn’t mean that you are finished. No one is a mind reader. In order to be certain you get the most optimal design possible, you must take the creative briefing stage extremely.

This is the stage of the project where you work one on one with the designers to ensure they completely comprehend what you want. The more they understand, the quicker that can deliver the finished project. It also reduces the number of initial design changes.

The next step before the designer can work on your project is proofing your design. You should never just quickly glimpse the design and give your approval. Look over the design plans as thoroughly as you would any important document. If the design isn’t exactly as you envisioned it and doesn’t provide the features you discussed, now is the time to make changes.

Waiting until the final project is delivered means time consuming revisions for both you and the designer. By involving yourself in both the creative briefing and design proofing stages, you save both time and money. You also get the perfect website or graphic design the first time around. The sooner your project is in place, the sooner your customers and visitors will see it.

You should never take this responsibility lightly. It’s your design, your website. Take the time to ensure the design company you choose fully understands your vision. By communicating your needs, the company is able to provide suggestions. With thorough communication between both parties, the best designs and sites are created.

For graphic design Brisbane or logo design Brisbane visit The Creative Noise. The Creative Noise is also a website designer. Brisbane is where their head office is located.

Choosing a Mackay Lawyer, Solicitor or Law Firm

2011 October 6
by squadron

As a popular and growing area, there are many new families and people living in the Mackay region that need a Mackay lawyer or law firm for the first time. Finding a law firm to do the legal work to help you purchase a house or building, to advise you about starting a business or to prepare important documents like wills or enduring powers-of-attorney, can be a daunting and worrying process.

If you are looking for a Mackay solicitor, lawyer or law firm you should consider looking for the following characteristics:

Happy customers
For most individuals it is impossible to compare the quality of legal services provided by one Mackay solicitor/lawyer or another. Unless you are a regular user of the same sort of legal service you are unlikely to be able to compare different law firms. Look for a Mackay lawyer who is proud of their past performance and offers a number of testimonials from previous clients. If they provide numerous testimonials it tells you two things. First, that they have numerous satisfied clients and secondly, that they are willing to take time and trouble to find out what clients think of their service. They understand that they are a service-oriented business.

Local Knowledge
Your Mackay solicitor or lawyer should have good local knowledge and demonstrated experience in helping other people in the city. Find out if the firm has worked on local developments or firms with established conveyancing sections that will have garnered a valuable source of “inside knowledge” about the property market, local agents and banks that can make all the difference to the ease and efficiency of your transaction.

Breadth of services
While most people only need a lawyer rarely, it is wise to find a Mackay lawyer, solicitor or law firm which can provide the full range of services without you having to find different providers. Finding a firm that can assist with your conveyancing, estate planning, disputes, business services and even workplace or employment issues, means you can rely on one firm which will meet all your legal requirements. Law firms value clients that use several services, and will often provide services more cheaply when they have provided other services for you in the past.

*In Queensland a person with legal qualifications was traditionally referred to as a solicitor while a person who “had standing” to represent you in court was called a barrister. More recently the general term lawyer has become more widespread and can be used to describe either of these types of legal practitioner. In some other states of Australia the conveyancing process (the legal process required to transfer ownership of house) can be undertaken by licenced conveyancers. This is not the case in Queensland where conveyancing must be undertaken by a solicitor/lawyer.

John Gray is a practising solicitor and marketing consultant who has worked with leading Mackay law firms. If you need a Mackay solicitor or Mackay lawyer contact John Gray for a recommendation.

Relationship Counselling can help you discover more about yourself.

2011 October 2
by squadron

If you really want to look in depth at why the two of you have the unique relationship and issues that you have, look no further than the Enneagram.

One of the most useful ways to examine yourself and just as importantly, how you may add to your relationship challenges, is to look at your Enneagram profile.

The modern Enneagram is based on ancient Eastern wisdom combined with modern Psychological thought. There are 9 personality types each with different patterns of thinking, feeling and acting. Each style has its own natural strengths, faults, and blind spots.

When you know your Enneagram number, you can then be aware of the unconscious assumptions that drive the way you see yourself, do your work, and relate in your relationships.

And you can also understand why your partner seems to act in the bizarre, inconsiderate, intrusive, self-interested, seductive or charming ways that he or she does.

Once you know how he or she see things from within, you can see why they do the things they do which makes perfect sense to them.

There are no types that are better than any other. Each is effective in their own way, but from a very different point of view.

• Ones want to make things right.
• Twos need to be of help.
• Threes are driven to succeed.
• Fours have a deep desire to be special.
• Fives want to be left alone to think.
• Sixes seek safety and support.
• Sevens are connoisseurs of life’s pleasures.
• Eights are driven to dominate others.
• Nines don’t want to make waves.

For more information on how your and your partner’s Enneagram types interact, call us at the Hart Centre. We are a group of Psychologists around Australia who are passionate about relationships and specialise in relationship counselling.

With 15 relationship counselling centres in Sydney, and 12 relationship counselling centres in Melbourne, you will more than likely find one near you. Phone 1300830552 for more details.

Remember, for relationship counselling Sydney or relationship counselling Melbourne contact the Hart Centre.

Stradbroke Island Queensland – Travel Guide

2011 September 28

Located on Brisbane’s eastern doorstep, North Stradbroke Island (”Straddie” to those familiar) is another of Australia’s natrual treasures and a perfect escape destination. Something of a secret, it is only recently that Stradbroke Island has started to show up on the tourism and real-estate radar.

Travel to Stradbroke Island through the bayside village of Cleveland will take you about 50 minutes on the vehicle ferry. Cleveland is only a 30 minute drive from Brisbane International Airport or Brisbane central, and an drive from the Gold Coast. The boat ride across Moreton Bay is the first step that makes visiting Stradbroke Island such a worthwhile trip.

Stradbroke Island is 27,530 hectares, which makes the world’s second largest sand island. The elongated sand island shields much of the southern part of Moreton Bay and the smaller islands from the ocean swells. The beaches are accessible by four-wheel drive, bicycle or tramping, with a number of popular camp sites dotted all the way down Main Beach, and views are visible from almost everywhere on the island.

Thirty-five kilometres of white sandy beaches fringe the island’s eastern side, from Point Lookout at the north to Jumpin Pin in the south. From the Point lookout headland, the towering jungle of the Gold Coast is often clearly visible, and is a reminder of the stark contrast to the slower pace of Straddie.

North Stradbroke (or Minjerriba to the indigenous Noonuccal tribe) was home to celebrated Aboriginal poet Kath Walker, or Oodgeroo Noonuccal. There is much Aboriginal and European history in Dunwich where water taxis and vehicular barges moor.

The calm waters of Moreton Bay lap against the shores of the island’s western fishing towns. The lack of agriculture and the filtering effects of the sand provides clean water that sea-life, and particularly Stradbroke Rock Oysters thrive upon.

North Stradbroke attracts four-wheel drivers, fishers, surfies and beach-lovers to its wide lengths of accessible coast and rugged granite headlands, and the Island also has a good range of accommodation, restaurants, cafes and holiday attractions. With a diversity of experiences on offer and stunningly beautiful places to discover, North Stradbroke is a fantastic holiday place for families, couples and adventure-seekers alike. The ideal way to see the Island is by Four Wheel Drive, but there are many stunning coastal walks and a mountain bike and whale watching map are an easier and more environmentally sound alternative.

Point Lookout is the main destination, and only a thirty kilometre drive on a sealed road from Dunwich. The North Gorge Headland is 40m above sea level and known as a leading land-based whale-watch site throughout between May and November, and world-class surfing and fishing throughout the year.

Point Lookout’s unspoilt beaches and headlands are safe for swimming, surfing and fishing year round. Whales, dolphins, turtles and manta rays can often be spotted from the spectacular North Gorge at the northern part of the island. The island is listed as one of the world’s most ecologically important wetlands and has several freshwater lakes, waterways and lagoons that are accessible by four-wheel drive or on a guided tour with one of Straddie’s tour operators.

One of the greatest experiences on the island is the fresh seafood directly from local fishermen. Just look for signs at Amity Point and Point Lookout to direct you to their homes and the freshest, most delicious catch-of-the-day around. For those who prefer the work be done for them, Straddie’s restaurants and cafes all make use of this perfect resource in their menu.

“The Point” offers several alfresco style cafes, a bakery, chemist, post office, newsagent, corner store and supermarket. The island also has a bus service which links the three towns to the ferries and water taxis.

North Stradbroke Island is the ultimate paradise for the many enthusiasts who visit each year. On a good day it’s possible to surf right past the pub, along the evocatively named Cylinders Beach, on waves that peel dreamily for hundreds of metres. Stick ten bucks in the back pocket of your boardies and you can drop in for a beer on your way back around -you may even bump into world ranked surfer and local Bede Durbidge! Straddie boasts what is perhaps the last truly old-school surf shop in the country, that makes it’s business selling surf equipment rather than fashion.

The jewels in Stradbroke’s crown is Point Lookout and the natural wonder of the North Gorge Walk, along with the surf, the choice of beaches, all sheltered in different winds, the whale watching, and the spectacular coastal walk around the gorges. If you are looking for Stradbroke Island Accommodation, make sure you visit: http://www.discoverstradbroke.com.au/

The Attractions of Stradbroke Island

2011 September 24

Right on Brisbane’s eastern doorstep, North Stradbroke Island (”Straddie” to the initiated) is one of Australia’s east coast natural treasures and a perfect escape destination. Something of a secret, it is only in recent years that Stradbroke Island has started to shine on the tourism and real-estate radar.

To travel to Stradbroke Island through the township of Cleveland takes about 50 minutes using the vehicle ferry. Cleveland is a 30 minute drive from Brisbane International Airport and the centre of Brisbane, and one hour’s drive from the Gold Coast. The ferry ride across Moreton Bay is the first step that makes visiting Stradbroke Island such a worthwhile destination.

Stradbroke Island covers 27,530 hectares, and therefore is the world’s second largest sand island. The elongated sand island shields much of the southern part of Moreton Bay and the smaller islands from the ocean swells. The beaches are able to be accessed by four-wheel drive, bicycle or tramping, with numerous great camp sites located all the way down Main Beach, and views are visible from almost everywhere on Straddie.

Thirty-five kilometres of white sandy beaches fringe the island’s eastern side, from Point Lookout in the north to Jumpin Pin in the south. From the Point lookout headland, the buildings of the Gold Coast can be clearly visible, and is a reminder of the contrast to the more relaxed lifestyle of Straddie.

North Stradbroke (Minjerriba to the indigenous Noonuccal tribe) was home to famous Aboriginal poet Kath Walker, or Oodgeroo Noonuccal. There is a great deal of Aboriginal and European history in the area of Dunwich where water taxis and barges moor.

The calm waters of Moreton Bay ripple against the shores of the island’s western fishing towns. The lack of agriculture and the filtering effects of the sand produces pure water that sea creatures, and particularly Stradbroke Rock Oysters thrive upon.

North Stradbroke attracts 4WDers, fishermen, surfers and beach-lovers to the expansive stretches of beach and rugged granite headlands, and the Island also has a good range of accommodation, restaurants, cafes and holiday infrastructure. With a wonderful diversity of experiences to offer and stunningly beautiful places to explore, North Stradbroke is a great holiday place for families, couples and adventure-seekers alike. The ideal way to see the Island is by Four Wheel Drive, but there are many stunning coastal walks and a mountain bike and whale watching map are an easier and more environmentally sound alternative.

Point Lookout is a popular destination, and only a 30km drive on a sealed road from Dunwich. The North Gorge Headland is forty metres above sea level and known as a leading land-based whale watching area in between May and November, and world-class surfing and fishing throughout the year.

Point Lookout’s beautiful beaches and headlands are perfect for swimming, surfing and fishing year round. Whales, dolphins, turtles and manta rays can often be spotted from the spectacular North Gorge at the northern tip of the island. The island is listed as one of the world’s most ecologically important wetlands with several freshwater lakes, waterways and lagoons that are accessible by four-wheel drive or on a guided tour with one of Straddie’s friendly tour operators.

One of the great experiences on the island is the fresh seafood available direct from local fishermen. Look for signs at Amity Point and Point Lookout to direct you to their homes and the freshest catch-of-the-day around. For those who prefer the work be done for them, Straddie’s restaurants and cafes all make use of this perfect resource in the menu.

“The Point” offers a number of alfresco style cafes, a bakery, chemist, post office, newsagent, corner store and supermarket. The island also has a bus service which links all three towns to the ferries and water taxis.

North Stradbroke Island is the ultimate paradise for the many enthusiasts who visit each year. On a good day it’s possible to surf right past the pub, along the evocatively named Cylinders Beach, on waves that peel dreamily for hundreds of metres. Stick ten bucks in the back pocket of your boardies and you can drop in for a beer on your way back around -you may even bump into world ranked surfer and local Bede Durbidge! Stradbroke boasts what is perhaps the last truly old-school surf shop in the country, that makes it’s business selling surfing equipment rather than fashion.

The jewels in Stradbroke’s crown is Point Lookout and the natural wonder of the North Gorge Walk, along with the surf, the choice of beaches, all sheltered in various winds, the whale watching, and the spectacular coastal walk around the gorges. If you are looking for Stradbroke Island Accommodation, make sure you visit: http://www.discoverstradbroke.com.au/