"Moreton Island" Moreton Island by pedroswift

Moreton Island Travel Guide: 40 reviews and 67 photos

Micat vehicle mover about to berth Tangalooma

Well worth a visit

Stop Press
During the second week of March 2009 a container ship inbound to the Port of Brisbane during a forecast Cyclone (hurricane, tornado) dropped 31 containers of explosive product (ammonium nitrate) into the ocean and sustained hull damage which dumped 250,000 litres of fuel oil into the ocean. Much has landed on Moreton's northern and eastern pristine beaches.
The clean-up continues. Will the beaches ever be the same again????

I can report that during a 4 day visit in mid March, we drove the full length of the western side of the island (accessible by vehicles) and encountered no sign of pollution from the fuel oil.

Jewel of South East Queensland, Moreton is the second largest sand Island. Its beautiful sandy beaches and pristine waters make it worth a visit. I give it three stars and make two 4 day trips there every year, mainly to fish.
Eco tourism is the name of the game at Moreton.
Check out the web sites of companies providing both access to the island and formal tours ranging from one day to many days. Other than using the car ferry to cross from the mainland and back, I have always self catered so I can't endorse(from personal experience) the services offered by the following:

http://www.sunrover.com.au/
http://www.hookedonmoreton.com/home.html
http://www.bushwacker-ecotours.com.au/BWE/about/
http://www.moretonventure.com/

I never cease to be amazed by the Tangalooma Wrecks and the snorkeling to be had virtually on Brisbane's back door. Ships have been sunk to provide shelter for boaties in a westerly wind. The marine life in the wrecks is fantastic.

National Park

Absolute beach frontage

A permit is required to drive your vehicle on the island. A permit to camp is required. Designated camp sites only. Total self-sufficiency required in most camp sites. Take your rubbish home. No pets allowed.
http://www.epa.qld.gov.au/publications/p00019aa.pdf/Moreton_Island_Recreation_Area.pdf

micat

micat on the beach behind the Tangalooma Wrecks

There is now a faster (more expensive) vehicular ferry "micat" departing from the south side of the Brisbane River at the Port of Brisbane. We have used the Micat during our last visits to Moreton since the demise of the service from Scarborough. The on board facilities were found to be a big step up from the Combie Trader and the faster ride made up for the extra distance we had to travel from home to the Port of Brisbane departure point.

Derivation of the name - "Moreton Bay/Island"
Captain Cook named Moreton Bay in 1770 after the Earl of Morton, which was misspelt to become Moreton.

Traditional Owners
Moorgumpin meaning "place of sandhills" is the Aboriginal name for Moreton Island. Moorgumpin lies within the area referred to as Quandamooka, which is commonly defined as the region and indigenous people of Moreton Bay and its islands. The indigenous people of Quandamooka include the Ngugi (Moreton Island), and the Gorenpul and Nunukal clans (North Stradbroke Island).
more on Moreton.

You may see remnants of some of the more recent history of Moreton Island when you visit. Cape Moreton Lighthouse on the NE extremity of the island was built in 1856 and still guides sailors today. Well worth a visit.
There are other navigation lights, buoys or beacons serving ships heading to Brisbane on the inside coastline at at Bulwer, Comboyuro Point and Cowan Cowan. There is evidence of the Second World War military fort at Cowan and the Whaling Station at Tangalooma (1952-63) which is now the site of Tangalooma Resort. which features dolphin feeding as part of their accom package.

Pros and Cons

Pros:Surrounded by ocean
Cons:mosquitos - take some coils to burn
In a nutshell:Take a short break - back to nature

Last visit to Moreton Island: Mar 2009
Intro Updated Nov 22, 2011
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Reviews (7)

Goes without saying - save for future generations - Moreton Island

Keep Moreton Beautiful Favorites (1)

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Moreton Beach Fishing - who needs to catch one? - Moreton Island

Fishing Things to Do (1)

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Four Wheel Drive A Must Warnings and Dangers (5)

Have just returned from a four day trip to Moreton. Spent 20 minutes one day watching the antics of 6 corpulent tourists... more travel advice

Gone but not forgotten (by the foolish driver) - Moreton Island

Cars can not swim Warnings and Dangers (5)

Many vehicles, including hired 4x4s driven by tourists, are lost each year on Queensland beaches at Moreton Island,... more travel advice

Comments (4)

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pedroswift Nov 27, 2008 at 11:00 PM

Hi Ann , thanks...was 'sposed to go to Moreton last weekend but had too many pre-Xmas functions. Blew like billeyo & poured. Glad I wasn't on the beach fishing. de p,
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aussirose Nov 27, 2008 at 8:53 PM

Enjoyed the read Peter. Great info! We used to drop the tinny in & fish here when I was a youngen :o) Cheers, Ann.
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Bwana_Brown Jul 15, 2007 at 6:36 AM

Idyllic looking beach to cast a line or two! Your Warnings tips made their point very effectively to me! That fire weed sounds like bad stuff.
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Nemorino Feb 8, 2007 at 2:57 PM

Sounds like a beautiful place except for all the crazy motorists.