Moreton Island
One of the jewels of South East Queensland and only one hour drive from my home on the Gold Coast, plus a 75 minute ride on the Moreton Island barge, is the pristine and relatively underdeveloped island of Moreton Island. Geographically it lies 58 kilometres northeast of the Queensland capital, Brisbane in Moreton Bay and is an idyllic place to become marooned.
Beach Fishing on Moreton Island
Moreton Island is the third largest sand island in the world and is a haven for fisherman, boaties and divers alike. This little slice of paradise is mainly uninhabited except for Tangalooma Resort on the Moreton Bay side of the island and three small settlements namely, Bulwer, Cowan Cowan and Kooringal which consist mainly of holiday rental homes and a couple of general stores.
Pristine Beach on Moreton Island
It is extremely popular for four-wheel driving, camping and during the winter months, whale watching. On the oceanside of the island there are some of the most pristine untouched expanses of beaches, where campers set up their campsites amongst the casuarinas that fringe the beach.
Beautiful white sandy beach at Moreton Island
If you are into free camping or rustic style camping with absolutely no facilities – just you and Mother Nature, then this is the place for you. There are five beach camping zones on Moreton Island: north-west, north-east, south-west, south-east and Yellow Patch. Because there are no facilities in these camping zones, you must bring all essentials including drinking water and a shovel for going to the toilet!
Mangroves at southern tip of Moreton Island
4WD down the surfside of the island, a long 40km stretch of white sandy beach, or pass trough the thick bush of the Moreton Island National Park where you will see an abundance of flora and fauna.
There are plenty of recreational activities including sand tobogganing which Moreton is famous for, snorkelling & diving, bird watching, feeding dolphins, whale watching from land and of course fishing.
Rockpools on Moreton Island
Sand tobogganing is extremely popular on the island because of its steep and smooth sand dunes. The highest point on the island is named Mount Tempest, which at 280 metres is reputedly the highest, stabilised, coastal sandhill in the world.
Sandhill at Moreton Island
Moreton Island has a few freshwater lakes perfect for a swim to cool off with Blue Lagoon being the largest and most popular. Or try the champagne pools, which is a natural foamy ocean pool hollowed out amongst the rocks at North Point.
Brown Lake at Moreton Island
Fort Cowan Cowan, an old World War II bunker and fortification complex that was used to protect the approaches to Moreton Bay, is located north of Cape Cowan Cowan.
On the north eastern tip of the island at the rocky outcrop of Cape Moreton stands Queensland’s oldest lighthouse, Cape Moreton Lighthouse, which was first lit in 1857. This is a scenic vantage point for views to the north of Moreton Island.
Moreton Island Lighthouse
Tangalooma was the site of an old whaling station and now features the Tangalooma Marine Education and Conservation Centre (TMECC) and is known for its dolphin feeding and shipwreck diving.
The Tangalooma Wrecks consist of fifteen vessels which were deliberately sunk to form a breakwall for small boats and a wreck dive and snorkel site. Snorkelling and scuba diving at this site is an amazing experience as you can swim inside the shipwrecks.
Tangalooma Wrecks, Moreton Island
Moreton Bay is home to approximately 600 bottlenose dolphins and each evening as the sun begins to set, a small pod makes their way to the shores of Tangalooma Island Resort, where you can experience a dolphin feeding encounter if you are lucky.
Access to the island is by vehicular barge or passenger ferry services and once ashore you need a four-wheel drive vehicle to drive around the island as there are no sealed roads.
MICAT Ferry
We have very happily been marooned on Moreton Island on two separate occasions; once beach camping in a tent and the other time we rented a holiday home at Cowan Cowan. Both times were a memorable experience and one that I can highly recommend, particularly if you have small children. However it would also be a great place for an escape to paradise for just the two of you.
For more information regarding camping on Moreton Island visit Department of National Parks for a permit. The Moreton Island Ferry service departs from Port of Brisbane. For barge transportation to the island visit MICAT. If you wish to book a holiday home at Moreton Island a great place to start is with Stayz or Airbnb.
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Comments are closed.
Melissa and Brenden (@allaroundoz)
July 1, 2016We haven’t been to Moreton Island yet. But we can’t wait until we get the chance to go over there. Everything about the island appeals to us.
Kathy
July 1, 2016You would love camping on Moreton Island Melissa. It is one of SE Queensland’s best kept secrets! :)
nikajane
July 1, 2016wow, I’d like to wander in that smooth sand dunes, could it be possible? This is perfect for a family and friends bonding. Thanks for sharing.
Kathy
July 1, 2016Of course it would be possible if you travelled to Brisbane in Queensland on the East Coast of Australia. It is only a 75 minute ferry ride to Moreton Island. It is a fabulous place for families with children.
Jo
July 2, 2016Would love to go to Moreton Island! How about a bloggie weekend? Wouldn’t that be fun? It is one of your best kept secrets it seems, and in a way let’s hope it stays that way. The beaches do look fantastic. Dave would love that there aren’t crowds ;)
Kathy
July 2, 2016Moreton Island is a fabulous place for a getaway, however it can get crowded during peak holiday times. The beauty is however that there are plenty of camping areas so you can normally find a space away from the crowds. There’s not a real lot here except sand and surf but I love it! :)
Michelle Weaver (@pinkypoinker)
July 2, 2016Sounds like an excellent place for a young family. I’ve been to Fraser but not Moreton. The sand tobogganing would be fun.
Kathy
July 2, 2016Moreton island is very similar to Fraser Island but no as big. It is a great place for a young family. The kids loved the sand tobogganing and the fishing and snorkelling is excellent. :)
Rhonda Albom (@RhondaAlbom)
July 2, 2016This looks like a great island to excape to.
Kathy
July 2, 2016It certainly is one of my favourite places to escape to, that is close to my home. :)
Paula McInerney
July 3, 2016I haven’t been to Moreton Island, but am adding it to my list.
Kathy
July 3, 2016I think Moreton Island is fairly unknown, except for we SE Queenslanders. It is a fabulous little patch of paradise. :)
budgettraveltalk
July 4, 2016I’ve been there yonks ago but it is time to return. Loved your photos, especially beach fishing and brown lake. Thanks for reminding me about Moreton!
Kathy
July 5, 2016It’s funny because this is why I wrote about Moreton Island. I really want to go camping there again as it has been at least 15 years since we were there with the kids. It is a fabulous island with much beauty. :)
Jim ~ ReflectionsEnroute
July 4, 2016Moreton Island sure looks like a great place to camp. And your photos are beautiful!
Kathy
July 5, 2016Thank you Jim. Moreton Island is the quintessential Aussie camping spot and I hope to visit again soon! :)
Amila Wickramarachchi
July 4, 2016These photos and views are absolutely beautiful.Seems like a beautiful place to spend some quality time…
Kathy
July 5, 2016Thanks Amila, Moreton Island is a beautiful place to visit. You can do day trips from Brisbane rather than camp on the island, but I would highly recommend a longer stay to experience everything this place has to offer.
InsideJourneys
July 5, 2016Your gorgeous photos make me want to get on a plane!
I’d never heard of a sand island before and had to look it up. Amazing, isn’t it?! Do you know why it’s called Cowan Cowan and not just Cowan? Then again, I just remembered a place called Walla Walla in Washington state. Thanks for the tour and the lovely pictures. The girls are so cute. I can imagine them in the same pose when they get to be teens and adults.
Kathy
July 5, 2016I think Cowan Cowan is an aboriginal name and probably is the name of a fish or some other marine creature as Moreton Bay is abundant with marine life. Many aboriginal names repeat like Cowan Cowan. The girls are my daughter and friend and they are both grown up now. We loved our times camping with our children when they were young. :)
Seana Smith
July 17, 2016Hello there, that’s a lovely round up. I’m from Sydney and have heard of Tangalooma but not about much else. Very appealling.
Kathy
July 17, 2016Hi Seana, yes Moreton Island is a fairly unknown island which I guess is overshadowed by Fraser Island, which is further north. Although very similar with the sand hills, beautiful long stretches of beaches that you can 4WD on and inland fresh water lakes and forests. It is one of South East Queensland’s best kept secrets!