Sunday, July 13, 2025

A Moreton Island Journey Information (Mulgumpin)


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

Because 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 sequence. With fishing strains and a jet ski in tow, each cell in my physique lit as much as the journey this household have been about to embark on.

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

In case you are somebody who additionally lives for an off-grid journey, cooking out beneath the celebrities and a mattress that you may 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 Australia - We Are Global Travellers

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 yow will discover alongside the east coast of Australia alongside Fraser island and North Stradbroke Island.

On this Moreton Island journey information, I’m going to share with you all the greatest issues to do on Moreton Island in order that in case you’re contemplating making your manner over there, you’ll know precisely what sort of journey to count on. I’ll additionally share the choices it’s important to recover from there, what to take with you and one of the best time of 12 months to go to.

Notepads and pens on the prepared…

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Get lifetime entry to my countless hours of analysis and time spent on the bottom discovering one of the best locations to eat, drink, loosen up and discover within the space. You merely open the Google Map in your gadget and all my pins are on the contact of your fingertips.

Getting To Moreton Island

While Moreton Island is a 4WD-only island (no roads, simply sand), you possibly can nonetheless go to Moreton Island with out a 4WD of your personal. I’ve listed all of the choices beneath for you!

Attending to Moreton Island with a 4WD

You probably 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 thing throughout to the island to roam freely. E book on-line right here.

  • Worth – Begins round $120 return for traditional autos (a lot of add-ons obtainable)
  • Length – round 90 minutes.
  • Tip – If you already know your days, guide effectively prematurely! These ferries have restricted area and so they guide out on a regular basis. Regulate faculty holidays and weekends as that is peak reserving time.

You’ll want a 4WD automobile allow

When you’re heading over with a 4WD, you’ll must buy a 4WD allow. You will get a month-to-month ($57) or annual ($297) one right here: https://www.mulgumpincamping.web.au/pricing/4WD-permits/

Passengers With out Autos

When you don’t have a 4WD, don’t concern; you possibly can nonetheless discover this paradise in a couple of other ways.

Tangalooma (the one resort on the island) presents a passenger ferry, which provides you the choice to return over for the day or you possibly can keep in a single day at their lodging.

They at present have 4 ferries that depart from Brisbane’s Holt Avenue Wharf each day and excursions that you may select from if you wish to see extra of the island. See extra right here. I’ve heard it’s also possible to hire a 4WD from them, too.

  • Worth for a day return on the ferry: Round $99 return per grownup, $59 per youngster.
  • Length: 75 minutes.
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Greatest Time to Go to Moreton Island, Australia

Moreton Island is an epic year-round vacation spot, so one of the best time to go to Moreton Island will depend on 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 delicate temperatures, fewer crowds, and nice fishing situations – go to in Autumn (March to Might). That is one of the best likelihood to see dolphins and turtles lively 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 Recognizing Calendar

  • Dolphins: 12 months-round at Tangalooma Resort
  • Humpback Whales: June to November, greatest considered from Cape Moreton.
  • Turtles: Lively from September to March, nesting from November.
  • Dugongs: Usually 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 huge, consisting of 98% sand. So in case your visiting with a 4WD, you’re in for a enjoyable journey.

You’ve 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 beneath).

Issues to recollect:

  • You’ll must buy your 4WD allow earlier than arriving on the island
  • Decrease your tire stress on the ferry or carry moveable gear
  • Take a screenshot of the tide instances earlier than you arrive in order that you already know when you possibly can and can’t drive on the seashores!
Moreton Island Australia - We Are Global TravellersMoreton Island Australia - We Are Global Travellers

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

That is most likely my favorite factor to do on Moreton Island.

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

For probably the most a part of the 12 months, you’ll end up with spots all to your self. The final word unplug from the world and the last word plug into nature and restorative time with buddies / household.

Yow will discover all of my favorite pull up and camp spots on the island in my Australia Google Map Legend right here. You’ll be able to open this map in your telephone and navigate to my actual location pins!

Australia Google Map LegendAustralia Google Map Legend

Get lifetime entry to my countless hours of analysis and time spent on the bottom discovering one of the best locations to eat, drink, loosen up and discover within the space. You merely open the Google Map in your gadget and all my pins are on the contact of your fingertips.

3. Go snorkeling at Tangalooma Wrecks

Snorkelling the wrecks is up there with one of the 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 synthetic reef that’s teeming with marine life. You’ll be able to swim out from the seashore, rent a kayak or head out in a transparent canoe.

Seeing turtles, tropical fish, and dolphins are not any unusual experiences right here on the Tangalooma Wrecks!

Moreton Island Australia - We Are Global TravellersMoreton Island Australia - We Are Global Travellers

4. Camp out and cook dinner beneath the celebrities

That is simply IT for me.

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

Tenting on Moreton Island is, certainly, one of the enjoyable, restorative adventures I’ve ever been on so in case you’re trying to change off, you’re heading to the fitting place.

All you want is your swag, your rooftop tent, or your camper arrange and to guide a web site! Spots are cheap to guide however it simply means you possibly can reserve a spot. E book right here.

Issues 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 web site).
  • A tenting tag have to be displayed at your campsite always.
  • A restrict of 1 automobile per campsite is allowed.
Australia Google Map LegendAustralia Google Map Legend

Get lifetime entry to my countless hours of analysis and time spent on the bottom discovering one of the best locations to eat, drink, loosen up and discover within the space. You merely open the Google Map in your gadget and all my pins are on the contact of your fingertips.

5. Go to Cape Moreton Lighthouse

While driving across the north a part of the island, make sure to cease on the island’s highest level, Cape Moreton.

As soon as parked up within the sand automotive park, take the 5 minute stroll as much as the highest, the place you possibly can 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: Deliver binoculars for recognizing marine life!

6. Sand Tobogganing at The Desert

This is likely one of the hottest adventures to go on and the most effective issues to do on Moreton Island in case you’re down for a little bit of adrenaline. From the beachside sand dunes to the favored spots of Little Sand Hills, Massive 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, make sure to pack your sand board, some cardboard OR take a look at sand dune excursions!

Tip: Wax up your board for additional velocity!

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

North Level is certainly one of my favorite spots on the island and is, as you might have guessed, positioned on the North of the island by Champagne Swimming pools and Honeymoon Bay – two different spots you possibly can take a look at while you’re up right here.

North Level is the place you’re most certainly to seek 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 seashore and pitch up right here to play video games on the seashore, cook dinner up lengthy, sunbake and surf.

Whether or not it’s for an hour, a morning or a complete day, hanging out at North Level is likely one of the greatest issues to do on Moreton Island.

Simply have a look at the photographs beneath!

8. Spot the whales migrating

When 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, the most effective spots to see this spectacle happen is on the north of the island at Cape Moreton.

Or, in fact, you might guide a specialised boat tour to stand up shut and private with the attractive species. Take a look at Tangalooma Whale Watching for extra.

9. Cease off at Blue Lagoon for a swim!

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

Blue Lagoon is a dreamy spot to chill off in, and in case you go to within the morning, you’ll doubtless have calm waters and the place to your self! There’s a camp floor close by that you might guide into, too, in case you’re on the lookout for someplace to remain.

10. Go to Champagne Swimming pools

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

These swimming pools are an excellent one to tee up with a go to to Honeymoon Bay and North Level seashore!

Tip: Go to at mid to excessive tide for the complete impact.

11. Stroll as much as 5 Hills Lookout for views throughout the Island

This lookout is positioned alongside the west aspect 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 aspect of the sand monitor, if you arrive, there are a couple of informal parking bays, and you’ll 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 cherished including it on this time as a result of it offers you a distinct perspective throughout the center of the island (the bush) and provides you an actual idea of the scale of Moreton Island!

Moreton Island Australia - We Are Global TravellersMoreton Island Australia - We Are Global Travellers
Moreton Island Australia - We Are Global TravellersMoreton Island Australia - We Are Global Travellers

12. Look out for Dolphins

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

Nevertheless, we ended up with a fairly 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 obtained to share with my mumma!

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

My Prime suggestions for Visiting Moreton Island:

Bear in mind to pack:

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

For 4WD Vacationers

  • Obtain Google Maps offline so that you could navigate even if you lose sign
  • Restoration gear, tire deflator, and shovel (put together for getting caught!)
  • Tenting gear and sufficient consuming water
  • Printed or screenshotted tide charts (so that you simply don’t get caught out!)
Moreton Island Australia - We Are Global TravellersMoreton Island Australia - We Are Global Travellers

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

Belief me, get it in your bucket record and even higher, spherical up your mates and guide your ferry!

Have you ever been to Moreton Island, Australia?

What are one of the best issues to do on Moreton Island, Australia? Something you’d add to this Moreton Island, Australia bucket record?

Love as all the time and blissful adventuring… 

Australia Google Map LegendAustralia Google Map Legend

Get lifetime entry to my countless hours of analysis and time spent on the bottom discovering one of the best locations to eat, drink, loosen up and discover within the space. You merely open the Google Map in your gadget and all my pins are on the contact of your fingertips.



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