Today, Karra, as it’s affectionately known by locals, remains a delightful destination for picnickers and nature lovers. It’s the only island without any shops at all, creating a ‘getaway from it all’ feeling as soon as you arrive.
Packing your favourite food and drinks into a hamper is a great way to prepare for a relaxing day on Karragarra. Close to the jetty, you can enjoy the very popular white sandy beach with its swimming enclosure, free electric BBQs, shaded picnic tables, playground and toilets. The enclosure has a sandy bottom but is tidal, so check the charts to make sure you can enjoy swimming. This beach is ideal for children, and for kayakers and boaties to set down, while past the barge ramp to the west is a good family fishing spot.
Wander the shoreline and you will find small sandy beaches in between the extensive areas of mangroves. Walking the whole island will take less than an hour and reward you with stunning and ever changing vistas from Mt Cotton, to the Gold Coast hinterland, and the other three islands. With so much to take in, nature photographers and bird watchers can easily spend the whole day strolling the island.
On the left-hand side of the jetty as you arrive, you can see the last goods trolley used on Karragarra - a sign of former times. Prior to 1999, each island used large timber trolleys on railway lines to move goods and island produce for the Brisbane markets to and from the ferries. In the 1960s, the regular ‘100 mile cruise of Moreton Bay’ even stopped at Karra for day trippers to buy fresh fruit salad and vegetables.
You can still spot the early farmhouse of the Noyes’ on the Esplanade along with mango trees planted in 1896. The island’s population of around 170 people has a strong sense of community and takes pride in retaining the peaceful island lifestyle and unspoilt beauty. An enthusiastic community holds numerous events, including the fun-filled Sea Market on the Sunday of the October long weekend. Make sure to check the jetty noticeboards to find out what other events on the island.
