Take the big blue ocean path across Moreton Bay from Brisbane and hit Moreton Island to explore the beaches, starry night skies, unique adventures and accommodation of south-east Queenslands Gem. Moreton Island delivers amazing scenery, massive sand dunes, crystal lakes, tropical forest, pictureque beaches and a single lighthouse high on the point – you name it Moreton Island has it!
Brisbane is fortunate to have one of Australia’s largest sand islands (behind Fraser) right on its doorstep, making Moreton Island perfect for that much needed relaxing holiday or 4wding adventure. Just a quick ferry ride from Brisbane, Moreton is quickly being discovered as an unspoilt paradise for people wanting to relax, go fishing and enjoy nature. This is a place where the crashing of the waves sets the pace of your day and a great place to turn your phone off.
Moreton Island is 40 km offshore from Brisbane. The island can be reached by ferry, barge or boat. Barges and ferries for vehicles and passengers every day. It’s a quick trip and very easily booked online or over the phone.
We took our Isuzu DMax with us, loaded up with our Coleman camp gear so we had our accommodation and transport all sorted and the ute didn’t miss a beat on the sandy roads.
There are plenty of other accommodation options available. Moreton Island has camping sites dotted all over the island for you to enjoy! They are well placed with obviously a great setting for you and your tent or 4wd camper trailer. As well as camping you can also stay in the luxury Tangalooma Island Resort, hire a private beach house or even a B&B.
Tangalooma Island Resort is stunning. Located right on the lagoon with every activity imaginable it is a place perfect for families as well as those wanting to get away from city life and relax. You can learn from the Eco Rangers at the Marine Education Centre, relax at the beachside Massage hut, stock up on any essentials you might need or just relax and soak up the amazing surroundings. They have 4 restaurants and 3 bars to enjoy during the day and into the evening. Tangalooma Island Resort is right on our doorstep yet so many of us just keep driving up the Pacific & Bruce Highways and don’t stop in! We stayed 2 nights at the resort and I could have easily stayed another week. The kids had a blast with so many activities for them to do and the staff are fantastic! The resort is very clean and extremely well set out. They cater for everyone at Tangalooma Resort too. This is one place where Mum gets to have a holiday as well!
A number 1 must do is snorkeling around the Shipwrecks. They are located close to shore and easy to swim out to. On a nice day you can see for miles under the water! The waters around Moreton are crystal clear and the sand so white. It makes for great snorkeling and scuba diving.
For the 4wd enthusiasts, Moreton Island doesn’t disappoint. The roads are all sand so it’s a fun filled day of adventure as you explore the island. 4wding around the Island ensures you will meet some like-minded people who love the adrenalin rush of this fun and adventurous destination. It’s a great laugh helping people who are stuck and it forces you to mingle and meet others – be nice and help everyone you come across as you just might need the favour returned around the next corner. However you do not need to have your own 4wd as the island has 4wd Taxis and Tangalooma run their own Cats between the island and Brisbane.
So next time you are travelling up the Pacific Highway or down the Bruce Highway towards Brisbane, break your journey with a long weekend on Moreton Island.
TRAVEL TIPS:
*There are shops for general grocery items at Kooringal, Bulwer and Tangalooma.
*There are no banks on Moreton Island but The Bulwer Store and Tangalooma Resort have EFTPOS and there is also an ATM located at the Tangalooma Resort.
FAST FACTS:
*While James Cook named the main headland on the island Cape Morton in May 1770, it was at that time assumed to be part of the mainland. The current spelling came about because of a clerical error later.
*Up to 330 Aboriginal cultural sites have been recorded on the island and include shell and bone scatters, large shell middens and a stone quarry.
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