Information
Landmark: Moreton IslandCity: Brisbane
Country: Australia
Continent: Australia
Moreton Island, Brisbane, Australia, Australia
Overview
Just off the coast of Brisbane in Queensland, Australia, Moreton Island dazzles with its clear blue waters and long, sandy beaches.It’s the world’s third-largest sand island and a favorite for outdoor adventurers, with long ribbons of white beach, pockets of dense green bushland, and plenty of ways to get out on the water.Moreton Island draws in nature lovers, thrill-seekers, and anyone craving a break from the city’s noise and crowded streets.About 25 miles northeast of Brisbane in Queensland, Moreton Island spans roughly 66 square miles and is home to just a small, close-knit community.You can only get there by ferry or boat, and with no roads to the mainland, it feels like a world away-just sand, sea, and quiet.Moreton Island’s story begins with the Turrbal and Quandamooka peoples, the first to walk its sandy shores and care for the land as its traditional custodians.People relied on the island for food-fish pulled fresh from the shore-and other resources, and it also carried deep cultural meaning.European settlers came to the area in the early 1800s, their ships pulling into quiet coves, and in time the island took its name from the Moreton Bay region.During the Second World War, the island served as a military training base, and you can still find crumbling concrete bunkers and rusted artillery mounts scattered across its rocky shoreline.Today, these remnants form a treasured part of the island’s heritage, and visitors wander through weathered stone walls on guided tours.Moreton Island is known for its striking natural beauty, from towering sand dunes and thick, whispering forests to beaches where the water glitters in the sun.One of the island’s standout landmarks is Mount Tempest, a soaring sand dune that rises 280 meters (919 feet) above the sea-so high you can feel the wind whip harder at the top-and it ranks among the tallest of its kind anywhere in the world.You can hike all the way to the summit, where the whole island spreads out below, the sea glitters in the sun, and the distant mainland fades into the horizon.Deserted Beaches: Moreton Island is home to sparkling clear waters and some of Queensland’s finest stretches of sand, like Tangalooma Beach, Blue Lagoon, and Kooringal Beach-ideal spots for a swim, a bit of fishing, or a lazy picnic under the sun.Flora and Fauna: The island teems with life, from dense rainforests dripping with moss to quiet woodlands and tangled mangroves sheltering countless creatures.You’ll spot all kinds of life here-flocks of bright parrots, kangaroos grazing in the grass, and now and then a dolphin or whale gliding past during migration.On Moreton Island, you can snorkel over bright coral, race down sand dunes, or simply unwind on the beach-there’s something here for everyone.People love all kinds of activities, but a few always top the list-like watching the sunset turn the sky orange.Moreton Island is best known for its underwater adventures, from drifting over bright coral while snorkeling to exploring deep, shadowy wrecks on a scuba dive.The island’s waters are so clear you can spot bright fish gliding below, making it one of the best places for snorkeling and scuba diving.One standout is the Tangalooma Wrecks, a cluster of rusting ships lying just offshore from the Tangalooma Island Resort.Colorful wrecks shelter a lively mix of marine life-flashes of tropical fish, the sleek bulk of giant trevally, and the slow, graceful drift of sea turtles.Snorkelers and divers alike flock to this spot, where clear water reveals flickers of bright fish just beneath the surface.Out on the water around the island, you might spot sleek dolphins slicing through the waves, gentle manatees drifting near the surface, seasonal whale sightings, and schools of brightly colored fish flashing beneath your boat.Number two.On the island’s towering sand dunes, you can race down on a sandboard, the grit hissing under your feet, or tackle the slopes in a roaring 4WD for a heart-pounding ride.Whether you’re carving down the dunes on a board or just strolling across the warm, shifting sand, they spark a rush of adrenaline against the island’s wild, breathtaking backdrop.4WD Tours: Moreton Island is a driver’s dream, with sandy tracks winding past turquoise water.Guided 4WD tours let you rumble over towering sand dunes and weave through the island’s rough, sun-baked trails.You can wind along dusty off-road tracks, slip down to quiet beaches where the sand sticks to your toes, and steer past the island’s old stone landmarks.Three.On Moreton Island, one of the biggest highlights is the Tangalooma Dolphin Feeding program, where you can wade into the shallows at dusk and offer a fish straight from your hand to a wild bottlenose dolphin.Most evenings at Tangalooma Island Resort, wild dolphins glide into the shallows, close enough for you to see the glint of water on their backs as they mingle with visitors.Number four stood alone, like a single chalk mark on an empty board.The calm waters around the island are perfect for paddling a kayak or gliding on a paddleboard, with nothing but the soft splash of water against your boat.Whether you’re strolling along the sandy shoreline or dipping a paddle into the calm waters of Moreton Bay, the island gives you quiet places to savor every moment.Number five glared up from the page, neat and sharp like it had just been pressed in dark ink.From June to October, winter skies over Moreton Island frame the perfect backdrop for spotting whales as they rise and spray mist into the cool air.Humpback whales travel down the coast, and you can hop on a whale-watching boat to see them up close-sometimes you’ll spot a tail slicing through the bright, choppy water as they pass the island.Six.With its waters teeming with snapper and whiting, Moreton Island makes a fantastic place to cast a line.You can fish right off the beach, head out on a deep-sea charter, or drop a line from a small boat, and the island’s waters ripple with life-silver flashes darting just beneath the surface.While Moreton Island is far less built-up than many other Australian islands, you’ll still find places to stay, from beachfront apartments with salt on the windows to the fully equipped Tangalooma Island Resort, which offers everything from luxury suites to self-contained units.The resort offers guided tours, dolphin-feeding sessions where you can feel the splash on your hands, and plenty of other activities for guests.If you’re after a rougher, back-to-basics trip, pitch your tent in one of the island’s designated camping spots, where the night air smells faintly of salt and pine.North Point, Ben-Ewa, and Comboyuro Point are favorite camping spots, each just a short walk from the island’s rugged cliffs and quiet beaches.You can camp in the backcountry, but you’ll need a permit tucked in your pack first.Eco-lodges: If you want a greener place to stay, you’ll find small, eco-conscious lodges where you can wake to birdsong and fresh air, all without giving up comfort.You can reach the island by ferry, with regular trips from the mainland to Moreton Island.The Tangalooma Ferry, for example, carries passengers from Victoria Point straight to Tangalooma, where the salt air greets you the moment you step off the boat.The trip usually takes around an hour and fifteen minutes, just enough time to finish a coffee before you arrive.You can bring your vehicle over on the ferry, but make sure to book ahead-spots fill fast, especially when the salt air carries that first hint of summer.Private boat or water taxi: If you’d rather have the place to yourself, you can charter a boat or hop on a water taxi from Brisbane, feeling the sea breeze all the way to Moreton Island.Weather to keep in mind: Moreton Island swings from scorching summer days where the sand almost burns your feet to gentle, mild winters.Bring sunscreen, a couple of hats, and plenty of water-you’ll be glad you did when the sun’s beating down.Wildlife: Moreton Island shelters native creatures like koalas dozing in eucalyptus trees, wallabies grazing at dusk, and flocks of colorful birds calling through the air.It’s a gorgeous place-sunlight spilling over the hills-but visitors need to watch out for
