Moreton Island
MORETON ISLAND ACTIVITIES AND TRAVEL | Moreton Island Hotels | Moreton Island Hotels
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Moreton Island is a sand island which
is home to Mt Tempest, the highest coastal sandhill in the
world at the height of 280 metres. The Island occupies 17
000 hectares of land, and at a length of 38km is made up
mostly of the island being National Park, lush forests,
and glistening lakes and lagoons. The swampy regions are
towards the north of the island with the ‘Desert’ being
towards the south.
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There is evidence on the Island of Aboriginal
inhabitance, with the first European settlement in 1848. Moreton
Island was also home to the only whaling station in Queensland,
which was in operation between 1952 - 1962 at Tangalooma. Sandmining
also began on Moreton Island, although has since stopped due to
campaigning against it.
Many types of natural environments can be found
at various points across Moreton Island. Beautiful forest land
can be seen along Middle Road, heathlands can be found along Bulwer-North
Point Road, swamps can be seen along the Cowan Bypass Road (with
the largest reaching from Comboyuro Point in the north to Ben
Ewa along the west coast), and both Perched Lakes and Window Lakes
can be found around the Island, with the spectacular Blue Lagoon
situated towards the north.
There is a whole host of wildlife on Moreton
Island which you can see on the numerous beaches, and along the
walking and 4WD trails. Many wading birds can be found on the
island, in particular between September and April when many birds
migrate from other countries. You may also be lucky enough to
see Green and Loggerhead Turtles which often nest between November
- February.
In the waters surrounding Moreton Island (part
of the Moreton Bay Marine Park) is more wildlife. Creatures you
are likely to see include many Dolphins, Dugongs, and also Humpback
Whales which can be viewed from Cape Moreton. There is also plenty
of different fish species in this area, including Bream, Dart,
Flathead, Tailor and Whiting.
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The main resort on the island is at Tangalooma
on the western coast of the island. There
are plenty of activities you can get involved in whilst
at the resort, including snorkelling, diving, fishing, or
just relaxing by the pool. The main attraction, however,
is the dolphin feeding which happens early every evening.
Unfortunately this is only available to the resort guests,
although anyone can go to watch.
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Other settlements include Bulwer to the north
of the island, Cowan Cowan between Bulwer and Tangalooma and Kooringal
to the south of the island. The only accommodation at these settlements
are holiday houses and flats, although camping is also available
on the island at Ben-Ewa and Comboyuro Point and The Wrecks on
the mid west coast and at Blue Lagoon and Eagers Creek on the
east coast. You can buy camping permits in Brisbane from the QPWS
Ph:(07) 3227 8186, or from the ranger on Moreton Island Ph:(07) 3408 2710.
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There are some fabulous 4WD trails around
the island, as well as some great walking trails. However,
you will need to stay a few days, at least, to explore
the island. Walking trails include the Big Sandhills and
Little Sandhills where you will see various lakes and
wildlife.
Guided tours to the sand dunes enables
you to take part in downhill sand tobogganing. Blue Lagoon
offers a host of birdlife and wildflowers during Spring.
Cape Moreton has nice views across the beautiful sea,
North Point offers good fishing as well as swimming, and
the Old Telegraph Road offers interesting scenery.
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If you are walking you should make sure that
you carry a compass, a small first aid kit, and plenty of water.
For any keen divers there is also a ship wreck on the western
coast which you can visit. If you don’t have your own 4WD then
you can join a 4WD tour.
There are 4 ferries operating to the island.
Both the Moreton Venture and the Tangalooma Flyer run to Tangalooma. The Moreton Venture is a vehicle
ferry which leaves from Lytton 6 days a week and also travels
to Reeders Point, while the Tangalooma Flyer leaves daily from
Holt Street, Pinkenba. Another vehicle ferry is the Combie Trader
which leaves daily from Scarborough, travelling
to Bulwer, with the M.V. Sirenia leaving fom Redland
Point and travelling to Reeders Point.
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Popular Queensland Travel Destinations
PLEASE NOTE: The Queensland travel destinations outlined above are only a small selection from the tens of thousands of Australian travel information pages available on Australian Explorer. A comprehensive list of destinations for Queensland Holidays can be found on the main Queensland Holidays location guide.
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