In the vicinity of Brisbane, there are a variety of islands of all sizes, such as "North Stradbroke Island" and "Southern Moreton Bay Islands", which are popular among locals. But Moreton Island is one that many tourists won't want to miss!
Today, I'll share my travel experience on Moreton Island, along with some practical tips on transportation, accommodation, and sightseeing spots, to make your trip planning smoother!
1. Why Do I Recommend Joining a Tour?
First off, if you've seen my blogs, you'll know I'm a big fan of independent travel. I enjoy planning and arranging everything myself, but why would I recommend joining a tour to Moreton Island?
The reason is simple, it's really inconvenient!
Moreton Island is the world's third-largest sand island, with roads almost entirely made of sand, and the terrain is quite rugged. Thus, it requires a four-wheel-drive vehicle. This makes it inconvenient for many locals and independent travelers to drive their own or rental cars on the island.
And what about taking a bus?
Sorry, there are no buses on the island! Furthermore, finding food can be challenging (there are only three small convenience stores), accommodations are limited, inconvenient to book (many are not listed on booking websites), and prices are not low (unless you camp). There are no gas stations, no ATMs, and almost no internet signal. In short,
It's a super primitive island!
Therefore, most people traveling to Moreton Island choose to join a one-day or two-day tour group, alleviating the stress of food, accommodation, and transportation. Many local travel companies offer such services. "Sunset Safaris" is a popular choice. However, they only have an English website. So, if you want to plan ahead, consider using Chinese booking sites, like KKDAY's "One-day tour to Moreton Island" or "Two-day tour to Moreton Island", to avoid language issues. Surprisingly, the prices are often even cheaper than booking directly from the official website!
2. How to Get to Moreton Island?
To get to Moreton Island, you mainly have to rely on "ferry transportation". There are currently 3 routes:
| Name | Route | Related Information |
| Micat | Departs from the 'Whyte Island' ferry terminal on the south side of Brisbane, to 'Tangalooma Wrecks' on Moreton Island. Both vehicles and passengers are allowed on board. | Micat Official Website (07) 3909 3333 Timetable & Fare |
| Tangalooma | Departs from the 'Pinkenba' ferry terminal on the north side of Brisbane, to 'Tangalooma Resort' on Moreton Island. Only passengers are allowed on board. | Tangalooma Official Website (07) 3268 6333 Timetable & Fare |
| Amity Trader | Departs from 'Victoria Point', passes through 'Amity Point' on 'North Stradbroke Island', then to 'Kooringal' on Moreton Island. Both vehicles and passengers are allowed on board. | Amity Trader Official Website (07) 3820 6557 Timetable & Fare |
From the table, unless you plan to depart from "North Stradbroke Island" (few ferries) or spend all your travel time at "Tangalooma Resort", most people, whether in a group or traveling independently, will take the first ferry "Micat" from Brisbane.
(Micat has hundreds of seats. The bottom level is for vehicle parking, and the second floor and above are free spaces for tourists to rest. There are toilets available. Guides usually recommend changing into swimwear on the ferry if you plan to swim since there are not many toilets on the island. There's a small restaurant selling coffee, souvenirs, snacks, and drinks.)
(If you go upstairs, there are outdoor seats for those who want to enjoy the sun and scenery.)
3. What Is Fun on Moreton Island?
Next, I'll share in detail the various spots I visited and activities I experienced during my "two-day itinerary" on Moreton Island. This includes the three must-do things on Moreton Island: snorkeling, kayaking, sandboarding, as well as accommodation information, precautions, etc. Let's conquer this "primitive island" together!
(Our tour company was "Sunset Safaris" (the same company listed on KKDAY's "One-day tour" and "Two-day tour"). You can choose to gather in "Gold Coast city" or at Brisbane's "Brisbane Transit Centre" (same building as Roma Street Railway Station). Because of the ferry schedule, we usually depart around 7 am.)
(Before boarding, each person will be charged for the 'ferry fee' and 'environmental protection fee' for Moreton Island, totaling 50-70 Australian dollars (depending on the number of days). The slight inconvenience here is that only cash payments are accepted, and typically, only the 'itinerary fee' is collected during online booking.)
(About an hour and a half later, you will arrive at the stunning 'Tangalooma Wrecks', a famous spot on Moreton Island. There are 15 shipwreck relics, making it a popular snorkeling location on the island.)
(As soon as you step off the boat, you'll notice how incredibly laid-back it is here! You're genuinely immersed in the island vacation vibe!)
(Group travelers will ride in a four-wheel drive bus. There are no paved roads on the island, so you're truly bumping along through the jungle - this description is no exaggeration!)
(The roads on Moreton Island are like this, threading through the forest, and the other type follows a route along the beach.)
(The guide will enthusiastically introduce every passing landmark on the bus, occasionally stopping to talk about unique local flora and fauna.)
(This is the famous 'Blue Lagoon' on Moreton Island. Each spring, the lakeside blooms with all kinds of wildflowers, and it's also a place where Australians come to birdwatch and swim.)
(Cape Cliff is located at the northeastern tip of Moreton Island. The terrain is quite unique, and you can climb up the rocks to the top for a view of the surrounding scenery.)
(This is the view from the top, the coastline is truly breathtaking! And I think it looks so much like 'Main Beach' on 'North Stradbroke Island', ha!)
(The group tour on Moreton Island includes lunch, which is served buffet-style. Of course, the flavors are quite different from some foriegn countries, allowing you to fully experience the Australian travel lifestyle!)
(Next, we arrived at Cape Moreton Lighthouse. There's a deserted 'Visitor Center' nearby, which I think might be the 'most remote service center' I've seen in Australia, ha!)
(Besides taking pictures with the lighthouse, don't miss another feature of this area - there's a high probability of seeing turtles here. Just look down, and you'll often see turtles surfacing!)
(Near the northernmost point of Moreton Island (North Point), there's a place called Honeymoon Bay. It's a quiet beach with equally stunning scenery!)
(From Honeymoon Bay, you can walk to Champagne Pools. Along the way, the guide will introduce us to the unique species in this area.)
(Champagne Pools is mainly for wave watching and admiring the unique landforms formed by the waves. I must say that the topography of Moreton Island is incredibly diverse, each spot has its own characteristics.)
(Next, we arrived at Five Hills Lookout. From the flat ground, it only takes about 5-10 minutes to climb up for a magnificent view of the northern scenery.)
4. Accommodation on Moreton Island
There are 4 main accommodation areas on Moreton Island, including Bulwer, Cowan, Kooringal, and Tangalooma. The rest are 'camping areas' spread all over the island. You can refer to the official website for 'area descriptions' regarding camping and remember to 'apply in advance'.
As for our accommodation this time, it was in 'Bulwer' in the northwest. This area has one of the three mini-marts on the island. It mainly offers 'hostel-style' bunk rooms, but you can also upgrade to a single or double room, which requires an additional 60-80 Australian dollars. It's up to your preference.
(Accommodation Map of Moreton Island)
(The accommodation area actually feels a lot like a camping site. The facilities like bathrooms and toilets are more than sufficient and well-equipped. I think it's quite enough for a small island stay.)
(Rooms usually accommodate about 4-6 people. The only shortcoming, in my opinion, is the lack of power outlets. There are roughly two per room, so if you're traveling in a group, I recommend bringing an extension cord for convenience.)
(The accommodation area in Bulwer is only a two-minute walk from the beach, making it very convenient for swimming or water activities.)
(The group tour includes dinner, which is a BBQ. After dinner, those who have signed up for the 'Night Kayaking Tour' (for an additional fee) will proceed to the beach for the activity. If not, you can enjoy the campfire and your own time at the original place.)
5. Top 3 Must-Try Activities on Moreton Island
As mentioned earlier, snorkeling, kayaking, and sandboarding are the 3 must-do activities when visiting Moreton Island. These activities are typically included in all travel agency itineraries. Additionally, some itineraries might include "feeding dolphins," which could be a choice depending on personal preferences.
(Snorkeling usually takes place at the Tangalooma Wrecks, a spectacular site with sunken ship remains. Besides getting the chance to appreciate schools of fish and marine life, you can also marvel at the shipwrecks. I didn't take any pictures after diving into the water, but what I can share with you is that Australian snorkeling gear doesn't accommodate for nearsightedness, and whether to wear a life jacket is up to you. However, as the currents can sometimes be strong, I'd recommend wearing it for safety. The water clarity might not be the best, but there are indeed a lot of fish, making it worth exploring!)
(Morning hours are usually dedicated to snorkeling, followed by a beachside lunch during midday.)
(Another water activity is kayaking. What's unique about this experience is that the kayaks are transparent, allowing you to observe the underwater world in a relaxed way.)
(Lastly, there's sandboarding, my first encounter with a desert in Australia! This desert is not just any desert; it features Mt Tempest, the world's highest stable sand dune. Due to individual coaching for sandboarding, you might only get to try it two or three times, which is a bit of a pity because it's really thrilling and fun!)
That sums up the introduction to a two-day tour on Moreton Island. Moreton Island is truly a distinctive island near Brisbane, and a popular vacation spot. I would recommend everyone to experience this relaxing island trip if time permits!