It was late January 2023, and I used to be queuing for the Moreton Island ferry in Brisbane after I first realised my purpose 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 collection. With fishing traces 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 below the celebrities and a mattress you could roll straight into the ocean from… you’re going to be as obsessive about Moreton Island as I’m, and also you’ll need to save this Moreton Island journey information.

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 finest 4WD adventures you’ll find 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 finest issues to do on Moreton Island in order that when you’re contemplating making your approach over there, you’ll know precisely what sort of journey to count on. I’ll additionally share the choices you need to recover from there, what to take with you and the perfect time of yr to go to.
Notepads and pens on the prepared…
Getting To Moreton Island
While Moreton Island is a 4WD-only island (no roads, simply sand), you may nonetheless go to Moreton Island with no 4WD of your individual. I’ve listed all of the choices under for you!
Attending to Moreton Island with a 4WD
If in case you have a 4WD or are renting one, ebook 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 part throughout to the island to roam freely. Ebook on-line right here.
- Value – Begins round $120 return for normal autos (numerous add-ons out there)
- Period – round 90 minutes.
- Tip – If your days, ebook effectively prematurely! These ferries have restricted area they usually ebook out on a regular basis. Keep watch over college holidays and weekends as that is peak reserving time.
You’ll want a 4WD automobile allow
Should you’re heading over with a 4WD, you’ll must buy a 4WD allow. You may get a month-to-month ($57) or annual ($297) one right here: https://www.mulgumpincamping.web.au/pricing/4 wheel drive-permits/
Passengers With out Automobiles
Should you don’t have a 4WD, don’t concern; you may nonetheless discover this paradise in a couple of alternative ways.
Tangalooma (the one resort on the island) gives a passenger ferry, which supplies you the choice to return over for the day or you may keep in a single day at their lodging.
They at the moment have 4 ferries that depart from Brisbane’s Holt Road Wharf each day and excursions you could select from if you wish to see extra of the island. See extra right here. I’ve heard you can even lease a 4WD from them, too.
- Value for a day return on the ferry: Round $99 return per grownup, $59 per baby.
- Period: 75 minutes.

Finest Time to Go to Moreton Island, Australia
Moreton Island is an epic year-round vacation spot, so the perfect time to go to Moreton Island is determined by 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 gentle temperatures, fewer crowds, and nice fishing circumstances – go to in Autumn (March to Might). That is the perfect 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, finest considered from Cape Moreton.
- Turtles: Energetic 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 might have 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 under).
Issues to recollect:
- You’ll must buy your 4WD allow earlier than arriving on the island
- Decrease your tire stress on the ferry or deliver moveable tools
- Take a screenshot of the tide occasions earlier than you arrive in order that when you may and can’t drive on the seashores!

2. Pull up someplace and revel in lunch/dinner within the wild
That is in all probability my favorite factor to do on Moreton Island.
I like that you’ve every part with you in your automotive and you may drive round till you’re feeling impressed, hungry or drained… pull up, have a tip and get the camp range out.
For essentially the most a part of the yr, you’ll end up with spots all to your self. The final word unplug from the world and the final word plug into nature and restorative time with associates / household.
You will discover all of my favorite pull up and camp spots on the island in my Australia Google Map Legend right here. You possibly can open this map in your cellphone and navigate to my actual location pins!

3. Go snorkeling at Tangalooma Wrecks
Snorkelling the wrecks is up there with the perfect issues to do on Moreton Island. You’ll see these wrecks as you arrive to the island on the ferry as they’re proper outdoors the Tangalooma Resort.
These 15 sunken shipwrecks create a man-made reef that’s teeming with marine life. You possibly can swim out from the seaside, rent a kayak or head out in a transparent canoe.
Seeing turtles, tropical fish, and dolphins aren’t any unusual experiences right here on the Tangalooma Wrecks!

4. Camp out and cook dinner below the celebrities
That is simply IT for me.
Moreton Island gives 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, surely, some of the stress-free, restorative adventures I’ve ever been on so when you’re trying to change off, you’re heading to the appropriate place.
All you want is your swag, your rooftop tent, or your camper arrange and to ebook a website! Spots are cheap to ebook nevertheless it simply means you may reserve a spot. Ebook right here.
Issues to recollect:
- All tenting permits should be bought earlier than you arrive on the island (there isn’t any self-registration or reception on website).
- A tenting tag should be displayed at your campsite always.
- A restrict of 1 automobile per campsite is allowed.

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 may 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: Carry binoculars for recognizing marine life!
6. Sand Tobogganing at The Desert
This is likely one of the hottest adventures to go on and among the best issues to do on Moreton Island when you’re down for a little bit of adrenaline. From the beachside sand dunes to the favored spots of Little Sand Hills, Large Sand Hills, and The Desert, that is your likelihood to slip down some epic dunes at thrilling speeds!!
If this feels 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 could have guessed, positioned on the North of the island by Champagne Swimming pools and Honeymoon Bay – two different spots you may take a look at while you’re up right here.
North Level is the place you’re most probably to search 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 seaside and pitch up right here to play video games on the seaside, cook dinner up lengthy, sunbake and surf.
Whether or not it’s for an hour, a morning or an entire day, hanging out at North Level is likely one of the finest issues to do on Moreton Island.
Simply take a look at the photographs under!

8. Spot the whales migrating
Should you’re on a whale mission, you’ll need to go to between June and November to witness the Humpback whales migrate previous the island. As beforehand talked about, among the best spots to see this spectacle happen is on the north of the island at Cape Moreton.
Or, in fact, you might ebook 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 when 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 ebook into, too, when you’re searching 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 a fantastic one to tee up with a go to to Honeymoon Bay and North Level seaside!
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 finest issues to do on Moreton Island due to the epic views it gives for a comparatively brief strolling distance.
On the aspect of the sand observe, whenever you arrive, there are a couple of informal parking bays, and you may 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 liked including it on this time as a result of it offers you a distinct perspective throughout the center of the island (the bush) and offers you an actual idea of the dimensions of Moreton Island!


12. Look out for Dolphins
Okay, so I knew seeing the dolphins was among the best issues to do on Moreton Island, however I had no intention of being a customer of Tangalooma Resort to expertise it. It’s a widely known truth that each night, a household of untamed dolphins visits Tangalooma Resort’s pier to work together with guests and company staying there.
Nonetheless, 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 received to share with my mumma!
Should 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 High ideas 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 in an effort to navigate even whenever you lose sign
- Restoration gear, tire deflator, and shovel (put together for getting caught!)
- Tenting tools and sufficient consuming water
- Printed or screenshotted tide charts (so that you simply don’t get caught out!)

I feel that’s every part you might want to know earlier than visiting Moreton Island!
Belief me, get it in your bucket record and even higher, spherical up your folks and ebook your ferry!
Have you ever been to Moreton Island, Australia?
What are the perfect issues to do on Moreton Island, Australia? Something you’d add to this Moreton Island, Australia bucket record?
Love as at all times and glad adventuring…Â