Moreton Island is located in the northern part of Moreton Bay, just a short
boat trip from Scarborough or Manly on the mainland. The 4WD and passenger ferries are regualry operating to and from
Moreton Island.
Together with Bribie and North Stradbroke Islands, Moreton Island
forms a physical barrier to the Pacific Ocean, creating the
sheltered and calm waters of Moreton Bay.
Moreton Island is one of the world's largest sand islands and comprises almost
completely of National Par. A perfect place for nature lovers, Moreton Island is also famous as one of only a handful of places in the
world where you can hand feed dolphins in the wild at Tangalooma Wild
Dolphin Resort . Towards the northern end of Moreton Island the Blue Lagoon, a freshwater lake home to a host of birdlife and wildflowers during spring. For bushwalkers, there are several established walking tracks on the island.
Nearby, at Cape Moreton, stands the Moreton Island Lighthouse, the oldest lighthouse in Queensland which was first lit on February 14, 1857. The lighthouse itself is built from sandstone quarried on Moreton Island. The Moreton Island lighthouse was built to manage the increased
shipping movements
along Queenslands northern coast. For a long time the Moreton Island
Lighthouse was the only light on the
entire east coast of Australia!
It is becasue of the hazardous nature
of the area to ships that there are now a large number of wrecks
scattered
around the entrance to Moreton Bay, near the island. The original light source oil wick was converted to
pressurized acetylene gas in1930 then to 240 volt electricity in 1937
and finally to solar power in 1993.
For those into adventure, Moreton Island is perfect for the unique experience of
sand-tobogganing down the world's tallest stabilised sand dune - Mt
Tempest. Tangalooma Wild Dolphin Resort offers guided tours; along with
all the equipment you'll need (a slim piece of waxed masonite).
Scuba
diving and snorkeling are also popular things to do on Moreton Island due to its
shipwrecks and colourful coral reefs. And the fishing is excellent too, with beach, headland and offshore options rating well with locals and visitors.
As Moreton Island is a sand island with no sealed roads, only four
wheel drive vehicles can be driven here, and a permit is required for
this purpose. You can bring your own over on a vehicle ferry, or book a
four wheel drive tour with one of the tour operators servicing the
island. Tour options range from a nature-based focus, including whale watching
in season (June - November) to thrill seeking adventures such as sand
tobogganing. Interestingly, the island has a historic link to whales
with the remnants of a large whaling operation, which had operated on
the island for many years, still visible today.
Moreton Island Ferries run seven days a week and cater for Day
trips for passengers (perfect for swimming, snorkelling, sand
tobogganing, surfing and walking through the many of the tracks
available); Camping trips; and 4WD's Day trips for weekends or longer.
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