"Moreton Island" a Moreton Island Travel Page by pedroswift

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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.

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

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.