Top things to do on Moreton Island
Stunning Moreton Island is a haven for those who like the great outdoors; the island’s expansive sandy topography invites exploration, adventure, and the discovery of rare and exotic flora and fauna.
Moreton, as the residents call it, is only 40 kilometers from the mainland and is accessible via boat in about an hour and a half.
Since Moreton, the world’s third-largest sand island is only accessible by 4WD, tourists can choose between participating in one of the many tours and activities that depart from the mainland and the island, such as staying at the world-famous Tangalooma Island Resort or exploring the island independently by camping or renting a room.
Self-driving private tourists can transport their 4WD vehicles to the island through the Micat boat or the Amity Trader service, and they can arrange for island excursions before or after they arrive.
Permits for campers and self-driving 4×4 drivers may be reserved on this site. Travel time on the island’s tracks between major points of interest and populated areas is typically between 30 and 60 minutes.
If you want to see the whole island in a 4WD, you need to set aside at least two days to do it.
Best Things to Do on Moreton Island
In the sections below, you’ll find information about the top attractions, restaurants, and activities available on Moreton Island. Various tourist destinations and fun things to do on Moreton Island have been discussed.
Sandboarding
Moreton Island is all sandy, so you may as well get used to having sand in your possessions. Reach speeds of up to 60 kilometers per hour by ascending to the top of large sand dunes, waxing a wooden board, and then launching oneself off the edge.
This adventure may be booked with Australian Sunset Safaris, Tangalooma, or Sunrover, all of which operate in The Desert.
Four-wheel drive
More than half of Moreton Island is protected as a national park, providing 166.6 square kilometers of wilderness and 420 kilometers of unpaved roads. There are no paved roads on the island, so you’ll need a 4WD to get around.
Exhilaration is a word that cannot describe the sensation of driving off the ferry and into Moreton’s infinite beaches in your own 4WD.
Climb Tempest Mountain
Take Middle Road inland from the Tangalooma Wrecks and turn left before you reach the island’s eastern coast. Mount Tempest, the highest dune on Moreton Island, may be found here.
Although the ascent to its peak, 285 meters above sea level, is not the simplest, even young children or inexperienced hikers should find it to be within their capabilities. You can see the entire coast from the Sunshine Coast to the Gold Coast once you reach the peak.
It took an hour to make the return trip up to 2.5 km. From Tangalooma, it’s about a 30-minute drive to the beginning.
Snorkel Moreton Island Wrecks
In 1963, fifteen ships were destroyed on purpose to provide a break wall for smaller vessels passing past the island.
After more than half a century, the sunken vessels have become a snorkeler’s paradise, home to thriving reefs teeming with colorful fish, coral, and even turtles. Several companies provide this experience, including Australian Sunset Safaris, TangaTours, Sunrover, and See Moreton.
You may either bring your own snorkeling equipment or rent some from Tangalooma Island Resort to explore the wrecks in this underwater wonderland.
The Seashore
Try your hand at fishing, swimming, and surfing, then kick back and relax. When compared to Fraser Island, several of the bay-facing beaches here are suitable for swimming. Finding your own little slice of unspoiled paradise is easy if you have your own four-wheel-drive vehicle.
You can go on for miles and miles of beach. Sit back and relax in a tranquil setting while you enjoy the sound of the waves crashing on the shore. To experience Moreton’s renowned fishing, break out the poles.
Or you might just go for a swim and search for dolphins, turtles, and starfish in the waves. You can’t visit Moreton without spending some time relaxing on the sand.
Visit Bulwer Township
The village of Bulwer is located about 12 kilometers from the Tangalooma Resort. It’s the best area on the island to stock up on food, drink, and gas.
Bulwer is blessed with a beautiful coastline, complete with a beach and calm, blue seas perfect for swimming. Several shipwrecks provide excellent snorkeling opportunities for seeing diverse marine life.
The Castaways Store and Cafe is a nice spot to get some food and relax after a day at the beach. Castaways serve breakfast and lunch every day from 9 AM to 3 PM and dinner Thursday through Sunday during peak periods.
The menu is available online. You should arrive soon after the barge has arrived so that you can find everything you need. Fantastic sunsets may be seen from Bulwer, with views of Moreton Bay and the mainland’s mountain ranges.
Feed wild dolphins
Up to ten wild bottlenose dolphins regularly stop by the jetty at the Tangalooma Island Resort just around sunset.
If you are a resort visitor, you may enjoy this for free; otherwise, you can only do so as part of the Dolphin Feeding package, which also includes a ride on the late Tangalooma Flyer back to Brisbane.
The Lighthouse at Cape Moreton
The earliest lighthouse in Queensland may be found on this island. This 1857 masterpiece of red-striped sandstone, built by free traders and convicts on a remote rocky outcrop in Cape Moreton, is still standing today.
The Cape is not only interesting because of its lighthouse but also because it is an excellent vantage point for seeing migratory whales, dolphins, manta rays, dugongs, turtles, and sharks.
A visitor center has been set up in one of the lighthouse’s outbuildings, and it features an abundance of information on the island’s past.
You may either rent a 4×4 vehicle and drive yourself to the far side of the island where the lighthouse lies or take a guided trip with Australian Sunset Safaris.
Swim at Blue Lagoon
Blue Lagoon, located in the island’s geographic center, is a sand-bottomed lagoon that was produced over thousands of years by the natural collection of rainfall at the point where the water table meets the ground surface.
With its clean water and white sand, this beach is a terrific spot to cool down in the summer. You may take a tour with Australian Sunset Safaris or drive there yourself in a 4WD vehicle.
Champagne Pools
The Champagne Pools are a series of natural pools at Cape Moreton on the northeast coast of the island, so named for the glittering look caused by the ocean waves breaking over a break wall of volcanic rock.
You may take a tour with Australian Sunset Safaris or drive there yourself in a 4WD vehicle.
Walk the Rous Battery track
Along the 9.8-kilometer Rous Battery trail, you may see fascinating World War II relics. The trek to the island’s southern end, through scribbly gum trees, takes around 3.5 hours one way.
Honeymoon Bay and North Point
Pack a picnic and head to North Point to take in the sunset and views of the Glass House Mountains across the water.
Honeymoon Bay is a beautiful rocky beach with a cliff rising up to 15 meters in height. Don’t go swimming; there are dangerously high tides and big waves. The area is both secluded and fascinating.
Conclusion
A boat ride over Moreton Bay’s glistening waters will take you to a beautiful island in about 75 minutes. Despite its proximity to Brisbane (just 35 km), Moreton Island seems quite far away.
The allure of the beach’s bright sunshine, powdery white sand, and sparkling blue sea is undeniable.
