Destination guides > Australia > Queensland > Moreton Bay > Moreton Island
Moreton Island
This sand island, only 35km from Brisbane, is often compared to Fraser Island and offers pretty much the same attractions without the crowds.
You can visit as a day trip from Brisbane, but a longer visit gives you a better experience of the island.
Coming & going
Moreton Island is best reached by ferry from Lytton in Brisbane’s southeastern suburbs or Scarborough on the Redcliffe Peninsula north of Brisbane.
Micat Moreton Island Ferries (tel (07) 3895 1000) charge $45 return or $190 return for a 4WD with up to two passengers. Their ferries depart from Howard Smith Drive in Lytton (with pick up service from Wynnum North train station) and sail to the Tangalooma Wreck.
The Combie Trader II (tel (07) 3203 6399) charges $40 return or $165-185 return for a car with two passengers. It sails between Scarborough and Bulwer.
Another option is the more expensive ferries that depart Brisbane at Holt Street Wharf, Pinkenba and go to the Tangalooma Resort. These ferries are popular with day-trippers and return fares are $70.
Local transport
Because it is a sand island, you’ll need a 4WD vehicle to explore Moreton Island, however there is a network of hiking tracks. There are plenty of places in Brisbane to rent a 4WD, and also a number of companies that organise affordable tours to the island.
Moreton Island is a national park and you will have to pay $35.40 for a vehicle access permit, this permit is sometimes included if you’re taking a tour.
Companies operating tours of the island include:
Moreton Bay Escapes
This highly recommended company run tours to the island that includes sailing, snorkelling and hiking.
Tel 1300 559355
Website www.moretonbayescapes.com.au
Day trip $149 ($139 HI/YHA, VIP, students); two-day overnight camping tour $239 ($229 HI/YHA, VIP, students)
Sunrover Expeditions
This tour operator runs day trips from Brisbane as well as longer two and three day camping safaris.
Tel (07) 3203 4241
Website www.sunrover.com.au
Day trip $120; two-day tour $195; three-day tour $295
Accommodation
There are five campgrounds on the island, which is really the only affordable accommodation option. You’ll have to pay camping fees of $4 per person per night.
Sights & Activities
Tangalooma Wild Dolphin Resort
This is one of the few places in the world where visitors can hand feed wild dolphins in their natural environment and every evening, several wild dolphins swim here. The resort’s dolphin care programme staff supervises the nightly feedings to ensure the dolphins are not harmed in any way. Daily pelican feeding is another of Tangalooma’s natural animal attractions.
Tangalooma Resort, Moreton Island
Tel (07) 3268 6333
Website www.tangalooma.com
Whale watching
You can see humpback whales on their annual northern migration (Jun-Oct) from Antarctica. The whales put on a spectacular show and you can see them from Cape Moreton – the only part of the island that isn’t sand – or you can take one of the whale watching trips that are offered by a number of operators; these trips depart from Manly and Scarborough.
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