A Moreton Island Travel Guide (Mulgumpin)

It was late January 2023, and I used to be queuing for the Moreton Island ferry in Brisbane once I first realised my aim in life.

As the 4WDs lined as much as pack tightly onto the 90-minute ferry, I seen a household get out of their sand colored Land Cruiser 76 collection. With fishing strains and a jet ski in tow, each cell in my physique lit as much as the journey this household had been about to embark on.

A weekend offline, on an island, in nature, with the youngsters rolling round within the wild. Heaven, proper?

If you’re somebody who additionally lives for an off-grid journey, cooking out below the celebrities and a mattress which you could roll straight into the ocean from… you’re going to be as obsessive about Moreton Island as I’m, and also you’ll wish to save this Moreton Island journey information.

Moreton Island (Mulgumpin within the Indigenous Quandamooka language) is an absolute paradise positioned simply off the coast of Brisbane in Queensland, Australia.

This uncooked and rugged island is likely one of the world’s largest sand islands and is likely one of the greatest 4WD adventures you’ll find alongside the east coast of Australia alongside Fraser island and North Stradbroke Island.

In this Moreton Island journey information, I’m going to share with you the entire greatest issues to do on Moreton Island in order that for those who’re contemplating making your means over there, you’ll know precisely what sort of journey to count on. I’ll additionally share the choices you need to recover from there, what to take with you and the very best time of yr to go to.

Notepads and pens on the prepared…

Getting To Moreton Island

Whilst Moreton Island is a 4WD-only island (no roads, simply sand), you’ll be able to nonetheless go to Moreton Island with out a 4WD of your individual. I’ve listed all of the choices under for you!

Getting to Moreton Island with a 4WD

If you will have a 4WD or are renting one, guide your self onto the Micat automobile ferry from the Port of Brisbane. Travelling on this automobile barge permits you to fill your automotive with all of your tenting gear and transport every part throughout to the island to roam freely. Book on-line right here.

• Price – Starts round $120 return for normal autos (plenty of add-ons out there)
• Duration – round 90 minutes.
• Tip – If you realize your days, guide effectively upfront! These ferries have restricted area and so they guide out on a regular basis. Keep an eye fixed on college holidays and weekends as that is peak reserving time.

Passengers Without Vehicles

If you don’t have a 4WD, don’t worry; you’ll be able to nonetheless discover this paradise in a number of alternative ways.

Tangalooma (the one resort on the island) presents a passenger ferry, which supplies you the choice to return over for the day or you’ll be able to keep in a single day at their lodging.

They presently have 4 ferries that depart from Brisbane’s Holt Street Wharf every day and excursions which you could select from if you wish to see extra of the island. See extra right here. I’ve heard you can even hire a 4WD from them, too.

• Price for a day return on the ferry: Around $99 return per grownup, $59 per youngster.
• Duration: 75 minutes.

Best Time to Visit Moreton Island, Australia

Moreton Island is an epic year-round vacation spot, so the very best time to go to Moreton Island is determined by what your precedence journey is while you’re right here.

If it’s snorkeling, diving, and sand tobogganing you’re after – go to in the summertime (December to February).

If it’s gentle temperatures, fewer crowds, and nice fishing situations – go to in Autumn (March to May). This is the very best likelihood to see dolphins and turtles energetic too.

If it’s whale watching and exploring the island with cooler temperatures that’s your precedence – go to in Winter (June to August).

Wildlife Spotting Calendar

• Dolphins: Year-round at Tangalooma Resort
• Humpback Whales: June to November, greatest seen from Cape Moreton.
• Turtles: Active from September to March, nesting from November.
• Dugongs: Often seen within the protected waters close to the island.
• Birdlife: Migratory shorebirds go to in spring and summer time.
• Marine Life: Snorkelers can spot reef fish, wobbegongs, and rays.

1. 4WD round Moreton Islands Sand Tracks

Moreton Island is 37 kilometers lengthy and 10 kilometers vast, consisting of 98% sand. So in case your visiting with a 4WD, you’re in for a enjoyable journey.

You have the choice of driving alongside the seashores (be careful for the tide) and utilizing the inland sand tracks, which current contrasting tropical jungle views (see under).

Things to recollect:

• You’ll have to buy your 4WD allow earlier than arriving on the island
• Lower your tire strain on the ferry or convey moveable tools
• Take a screenshot of the tide instances earlier than you arrive in order that you realize when you’ll be able to and can’t drive on the seashores!

2. Pull up someplace and revel in lunch/dinner within the wild

This might be my favorite factor to do on Moreton Island.

I like that you’ve got every part with you in your automotive and you may drive round till you’re feeling impressed, hungry or drained… pull up, have a tip and get the camp range out.

For probably the most a part of the yr, you’ll end up with spots all to your self. The final unplug from the world and the final word plug into nature and restorative time with pals / household.

You can discover all of my favorite pull up and camp spots on the island in my Australia Google Map Legend right here. You can open this map in your cellphone and navigate to my precise location pins!

3. Go snorkeling at Tangalooma Wrecks

Snorkelling the wrecks is up there with the very best issues to do on Moreton Island. You’ll see these wrecks as you arrive to the island on the ferry as they’re proper exterior the Tangalooma Resort.

These 15 sunken shipwrecks create a man-made reef that’s teeming with marine life. You can swim out from the seaside, rent a kayak or head out in a transparent canoe.

Seeing turtles, tropical fish, and dolphins aren’t any unusual experiences right here on the Tangalooma Wrecks!

4. Camp out and prepare dinner below the celebrities

This is simply IT for me.

Moreton Island presents many tenting spots (5 camp zones and 5 campgrounds) that really feel actually wild and unplugged from the matrix. Some of my favourites are Yellow Patch, North Point and Blue Lagoon.

Camping on Moreton Island is, for sure, some of the enjoyable, restorative adventures I’ve ever been on so for those who’re trying to change off, you’re heading to the correct place.

All you want is your swag, your rooftop tent, or your camper arrange and to guide a website! Spots are cheap to guide nevertheless it simply means you’ll be able to reserve a spot. Book right here.

Things to recollect:

• All tenting permits have to be bought earlier than you arrive on the island (there isn’t any self-registration or reception on website).
• A tenting tag have to be displayed at your campsite always.
• A restrict of 1 automobile per campsite is allowed.

5. Visit Cape Moreton Lighthouse

Whilst driving across the north a part of the island, remember to cease on the island’s highest level, Cape Moreton.

Once parked up within the sand automotive park, take the 5 minute stroll as much as the highest, the place you’ll be able to bathe in 360-degree views of the shoreline. You’ll see precisely why this can be a prime whale-watching spot from June to November.

Tip: Bring binoculars for recognizing marine life!

6. Sand Tobogganing at The Desert

This is likely one of the hottest adventures to go on and among the best issues to do on Moreton Island for those who’re down for a little bit of adrenaline. From the beachside sand dunes to the favored spots of Little Sand Hills, Big Sand Hills, and The Desert, that is your likelihood to slip down some epic dunes at thrilling speeds!!

If this appears like a little bit of you, remember to pack your sand board, some cardboard OR try sand dune excursions!

Tip: Wax up your board for additional pace!

7. Pitch up for the day and surf at North Point

North Point is certainly one of my favorite spots on the island and is, as you could have guessed, positioned on the North of the island by Champagne Pools and Honeymoon Bay – two different spots you’ll be able to try while you’re up right here.

North Point is the place you’re probably to search out your self a wave on this right-hand break.

It’s additionally a vibey spot to hang around for the day as many individuals drive alongside the seaside and pitch up right here to play video games on the seaside, prepare dinner up lengthy, sunbake and surf.

Whether it’s for an hour, a morning or an entire day, hanging out at North Point is likely one of the greatest issues to do on Moreton Island.

Just have a look at the images under!

8. Spot the whales migrating

If you’re on a whale mission, you’ll wish to go to between June and November to witness the Humpback whales migrate previous the island. As beforehand talked about, among the best spots to see this spectacle happen is on the north of the island at Cape Moreton.

Or, after all, you would guide a specialised boat tour to stand up shut and private with the beautiful species. Check out Tangalooma Whale Watching for extra.

9. Stop off at Blue Lagoon for a swim!

On the east facet of the island, a brief drive down from the North Point, lies a crystal-clear freshwater lake surrounded by pure white sand – Blue Lagoon!

Blue Lagoon is a dreamy spot to chill off in, and for those who go to within the morning, you’ll possible have calm waters and the place to your self! There’s a camp floor close by that you would guide into, too, for those who’re in search of someplace to remain.

10. Visit Champagne Pools

These pure rock swimming pools on the northern finish of the island are named Champagne Pools due to the glowing ‘champagne’ impact created as ocean wave’s crash over the volcanic rock & sandstone breakwall.

These swimming pools are an ideal one to tee up with a go to to Honeymoon Bay and North Point seaside!

Tip: Visit at mid to excessive tide for the total impact.

11. Walk as much as Five Hills Lookout for views throughout the Island

This lookout is positioned alongside the west facet of the island as you drive from Tangalooma (the place the ferry drops you off) as much as Cape Moreton and is likely one of the greatest issues to do on Moreton Island due to the epic views it presents for a comparatively brief strolling distance.

On the facet of the sand monitor, once you arrive, there are a number of informal parking bays, and you may full this stop-off in round 25 minutes when you’ve walked and brought 10 minutes to benefit from the view.

I didn’t do that on my first go to to the island, however I beloved including it on this time as a result of it provides you a special perspective throughout the center of the island (the bush) and offers you an actual idea of the dimensions of Moreton Island!

12. Look out for Dolphins

Okay, so I knew seeing the dolphins was among the best issues to do on Moreton Island, however I had no intention of being a customer of Tangalooma Resort to expertise it. It’s a widely known truth that each night, a household of untamed dolphins visits Tangalooma Resort’s pier to work together with guests and visitors staying there.

However, we ended up with a reasonably surreal expertise as we arrived simply south of the resort to take a morning dip within the water (round 6 am).

Two dolphins joined us and swam round us for about 10 minutes simply meters away. SO surreal. A as soon as in a lifetime expertise that I’m over the moon I received to share with my mumma!

If you’re eager so as to add a dolphin expertise to your time right here on Moreton Island, try the Tangalooma Dolphin Feeding.

My Top ideas for Visiting Moreton Island:

Remember to pack:

• Sunscreen, hat, and sun shades
• Swimwear and towel
• Insect repellent
• First-aid equipment

For 4WD Travelers

• Download Google Maps offline in an effort to navigate even once you lose sign
• Recovery gear, tire deflator, and shovel (put together for getting caught!)
• Camping tools and sufficient ingesting water
• Printed or screenshotted tide charts (so that you simply don’t get caught out!)

I believe that’s every part you might want to know earlier than visiting Moreton Island!

Trust me, get it in your bucket checklist and even higher, spherical up your folks and guide your ferry!

Have you been to Moreton Island, Australia?

What are the very best issues to do on Moreton Island, Australia? Anything you’d add to this Moreton Island, Australia bucket checklist?

Love as at all times and glad adventuring…