Moreton Island is one of the best-kept secrets of Queensland, Australia. Located just 40 km off the coast of Brisbane, this island is the third-largest sand island in the world and boasts a pristine national park, crystal-clear waters, and white sandy beaches. Whether you want to relax, explore, or have fun, Moreton Island has something for everyone.
In this article, we will provide you with a complete guide to Moreton Island, covering everything you need to know before you go, from how to get there, where to stay, what to do, and more. Read on to find out why Moreton Island is a must-visit destination for your next trip.
How to Get to Moreton Island
There are several ways to get to Moreton Island, depending on your budget, time, and preference. The most common and convenient way is by ferry, which takes about 75 minutes from Brisbane and costs around $50 per person for a return ticket. You can choose between the Micat Ferry, which departs from the Port of Brisbane and can carry both passengers and vehicles, or the Tangalooma Flyer, which departs from Holt Street Wharf and can only carry passengers. Both ferries arrive at the Tangalooma Resort Jetty on the western side of the island.
Another option is by barge, which takes about 90 minutes from Brisbane and costs around $120 per vehicle for a return trip. You can choose between the Amity Trader, which departs from Amity Point on North Stradbroke Island and arrives at Kooringal on the southern tip of Moreton Island, or the Combie Trader, which departs from Scarborough on the Redcliffe Peninsula and arrives at Bulwer on the northern end of Moreton Island. Both barges can carry up to 12 vehicles and require a booking in advance.
If you are feeling adventurous, you can also get to Moreton Island by boat, which can take anywhere from 30 minutes to 2 hours, depending on the weather and the type of boat. You can either bring your own boat or hire one from a local operator. There are several boat ramps and marinas in Brisbane and nearby areas where you can launch your boat, such as Manly, Cleveland, or Redcliffe. You can also join a charter boat or a cruise that offers day trips or overnight stays on Moreton Island. There are several anchorages and moorings around the island where you can dock your boat, such as Tangalooma, Bulwer, or Cowan Cowan.
Finally, if you want to splurge, you can also get to Moreton Island by plane, which takes about 15 minutes from Brisbane and costs around $200 per person for a return flight. You can choose between the Tangalooma Air, which operates a seaplane that lands on the water near the Tangalooma Resort Jetty, or the Air Fraser Island, which operates a light aircraft that lands on the beach near the Tangalooma Wrecks. Both planes can carry up to 10 passengers and require a booking in advance.
Some tips and recommendations for choosing the best option to get to Moreton Island are:
Book your ferry, barge, or plane tickets in advance, especially during peak seasons and holidays, as they can sell out quickly.
Check the weather and the tide conditions before you go, as they can affect the availability and the safety of your trip.
Pack light and bring only the essentials, as there are limited facilities and services on the island.
If you are bringing your own vehicle, make sure it is a 4WD and that you have a valid permit, as the island has no paved roads and only sand tracks.
If you are bringing your own boat, make sure you have a valid permit and that you follow the marine park regulations, as the island is part of the Moreton Bay Marine Park.
Where to Stay on Moreton Island
Moreton Island offers a range of accommodation options to suit different tastes and budgets. Whether you want to stay in a resort, a hotel, a camping site, or a glamping site, you will find something that meets your needs. Here are some of the best options to stay on Moreton Island:
Tangalooma Island Resort: This is the most popular and luxurious option to stay on Moreton Island, as it is the only resort on the island and has direct access to the ferry and the plane services. The resort offers a variety of rooms and suites, from standard hotel rooms to beachfront villas, all with modern amenities and stunning views. The resort also has a range of facilities and services, such as restaurants, bars, pools, spas, shops, tours, and activities. The resort is famous for its dolphin feeding experience, where guests can interact with a family of wild dolphins that visit the jetty every evening.
Bulwer Beach House: This is a great option for those who want to stay in a cozy and comfortable hotel on the northern end of Moreton Island. The hotel offers six rooms, each with a private bathroom, a kitchenette, a TV, and a balcony. The hotel also has a common lounge, a dining area, a BBQ area, and a laundry. The hotel is located within walking distance from the beach, the barge service, and the local store.
Castaways Glamping: This is a perfect option for those who want to enjoy the camping experience without sacrificing the comfort and convenience. The glamping site offers 11 tents, each with a queen bed, a sofa bed, a fridge, a fan, a heater, and a power outlet. The glamping site also has a shared kitchen, a dining area, a BBQ area, a fire pit, and a bathroom. The glamping site is located near the Bulwer township, close to the beach, the barge service, and the local store.
Camping: This is the cheapest and most adventurous option to stay on Moreton Island, as it allows you to immerse yourself in the natural beauty and wilderness of the island. There are several camping sites on the island, some with facilities such as toilets, showers, picnic tables, and fire rings, and some without. You can choose between the National Park Camping, which requires a booking and a permit, or the Private Camping, which does not require a booking but still requires a permit. Some of the best camping sites on the island are Blue Lagoon, Ben-Ewa, Comboyuro Point, and The Wrecks.
Some tips and recommendations for choosing the best option to stay on Moreton Island are:
Book your accommodation in advance, especially during peak seasons and holidays, as they can fill up quickly.
Check the availability and the cost of the ferry, the barge, or the plane services before you book your accommodation, as they can vary depending on the location and the season.
Bring your own food, water, and supplies, as there are limited options and high prices on the island.
Be prepared for the weather and the insects, as they can change quickly and be annoying on the island.
What to Do on Moreton Island
Moreton Island is a paradise for nature lovers and adventure seekers, as it offers a wide range of attractions and activities to enjoy. Whether you want to swim, snorkel, kayak, fish, hike, bike, or drive, you will find something that suits your interest and skill level. Here are some of the best things to do on Moreton Island:
Water Sports
Moreton Island is surrounded by clear and calm waters, making it ideal for water sports. Some of the most popular water sports on the island are:
Snorkelling at Tangalooma Wrecks: This is one of the most amazing and unique snorkelling experiences in the world, as you can explore the marine life and the history of 15 sunken ships that were deliberately sunk in 1963 to create a breakwater and a harbour. The wrecks are home to hundreds of fish, coral, and other sea creatures, such as turtles, rays, and dolphins. The wrecks are located about 100 meters from the shore, and you can either swim, kayak, or take a boat to get there. You can either bring your own snorkelling gear or hire it from the Tangalooma Resort or the local operators.
Kayaking at Tangalooma Wrecks: This is another way to experience the Tangalooma Wrecks, as you can paddle around the wrecks and see them from a different perspective. You can either bring your own kayak or hire it from the Tangalooma Resort or the local operators. You can also join a guided tour that offers a night kayak, where you can see the wrecks illuminated by underwater lights and enjoy the starry sky.
Swimming at Blue Lagoon: This is a perfect spot for a refreshing and relaxing dip, as the Blue Lagoon is a natural freshwater lake that is fed by rainwater and filtered by the sand. The lagoon is also known for its therapeutic properties, as it contains minerals and organic matter that can nourish your skin and hair. The lagoon is located about 5 km north of the Tangalooma Resort, and you can either walk, bike, or drive to get there.
Spa at Champagne Pools: This is a natural spa that is formed by the waves crashing over the rocks and creating bubbles and foam. The pools are also heated by the sun and the sand, making them warm and soothing. The pools are located on the eastern side of the island, near the Cape Moreton Lighthouse, and you can either walk, bike, or drive to get there.
Fishing at Honeymoon Bay: This is a fishing paradise, as the bay is sheltered from the wind and the waves and has a variety of fish species, such as bream, whiting, flathead, tailor, and mackerel. The bay is also a scenic spot, as it offers views of the lighthouse and the ocean. The bay is located about 2 km south of the Cape Moreton Lighthouse, and you can either walk, bike, or drive to get there.
Land Sports
Moreton Island is covered by sand dunes, forests, and hills, making it ideal for land sports. Some of the most popular land sports on the island are:
Sandboarding at The Desert: This is one of the most thrilling and fun activities on the island, as you can slide down the sand dunes at speeds of up to 60 km/h. The Desert is a large area of sand dunes that is located in the middle of the island, about 10 km south of the Tangalooma Resort. You can either bring your own sandboard or hire it from the Tangalooma Resort or the local operators. You can also join a guided tour that offers a 4WD ride to the Desert and a sandboarding session.
Hiking at Mount Tempest: This is one of the most challenging and rewarding activities on the island, as you can climb the highest sand hill in the world and enjoy the panoramic views of the island and the bay. Mount Tempest is a 285-meter-high sand hill that is located on the western side of the island, about 15 km south of the Tangalooma Resort. You can either walk, bike, or drive to the base of the hill, and then hike up the steep and sandy track for about 2 hours. The hike is suitable for fit and experienced hikers, as it requires stamina and endurance.
Biking at Five Hills Lookout: This is one of the most scenic and relaxing activities on the island, as you can bike along the coast and enjoy the views of the ocean and the hills. Five Hills Lookout is a lookout point that is located on the eastern side of the island, about 20 km north of the Tangalooma Resort. You can either bring your own bike or hire it from the Tangalooma Resort or the local operators. You can also join a guided tour that offers a 4WD ride to the lookout and a bike ride back to the resort.
Wildlife
Moreton Island is home to a diverse and abundant wildlife, both on land and in the water. Some of the most amazing wildlife experiences on the island are:
Dolphin Feeding at Tangalooma Resort: This is one of the most popular and memorable experiences on the island, as you can get up close and personal with a family of wild dolphins that visit the jetty every evening. The dolphin feeding program is run by the Tangalooma Resort and is open to both guests and visitors. You can either book a dolphin feeding package that includes the ferry, the accommodation, and the feeding, or a dolphin feeding day cruise that includes the ferry and the feeding. You can also watch the dolphin feeding from the jetty or the beach, without participating in the feeding.
Whale Watching at Cape Moreton Lighthouse: This is one of the most spectacular and awe-inspiring experiences on the island, as you can witness the migration of thousands of humpback whales that pass by the island between June and November. The best spot to see the whales is from the Cape Moreton Lighthouse, which is the oldest lighthouse in Queensland and offers views of the ocean and the island. You can either walk, bike, or drive to the lighthouse, and then climb up the stairs to the viewing platform. You can also join a whale watching cruise that departs from the Tangalooma Resort or the mainland and takes you closer to the whales.
Bird Watching at Mirapool Lagoon: This is one of the most peaceful and relaxing experiences on the island, as you can observe the variety and the beauty of the birds that inhabit the island. The Mirapool Lagoon is a freshwater lagoon that is located on the southern end of the island, near Kooringal. The lagoon is a haven for birds, such as pelicans, herons, egrets, ducks, and terns. You can either walk, bike, or drive to the lagoon, and then sit and watch the birds from the shore or the boardwalk.
Moreton Island is a hidden gem that offers a unique and unforgettable experience for travellers of all ages and interests. From its stunning beaches, spectacular wildlife, and thrilling activities, Moreton Island has something for everyone. If you are looking for a destination that combines nature, adventure, and relaxation, Moreton Island is the place for you.
Don’t miss this opportunity to discover one of the most beautiful and diverse islands in the world. Book your trip to Moreton Island today and get ready for the adventure of a lifetime.
