How to spend a nature-packed 48 hours on Moreton Island

Itinerary

Chelsea	 Tromans

By Chelsea Tromans

You needn’t travel far or for long to trade Brisbane city life in for a weekend of island fun in the sun. Sitting somewhere in Queensland’s island lineage between Fraser and North Stradbroke Island lies Moreton Island.

It’s smaller than Fraser Island, and not as close to the mainland as Straddie, but with world-class 4WDing, snorkelling, uncrowded beaches and adventure in abundance, there’s plenty of reason to plan a Moreton Island weekend getaway.

In fact, Moreton Island holds its own when it comes to adventure, accessibility and affordability – making it the ideal weekender from Brisbane.

If you’re keen to see what this 170km2 island is all about, here’s how to explore the best of Moreton Island in 48 hours.

Friday

Before you go

You’ll need a 4WD to traverse the unsealed, rugged and sandy roads throughout Moreton Island, and you must organise a vehicle permit before arriving on the island. Permits can be arranged through Mulgumpin Camping, which is owned and operated by the Quandamooka Yoolooburrabee Aboriginal Corporation (QYAC).

If you’re planning on camping, you’ll also need to book a campsite permit through Mulgumpin Camping. But fear not, it's some of the cheapest beachfront accommodation money can buy in Queensland. A campsite will cost you just $6.65 per person per night, and offers plenty of variety when it comes to locale, from the remote-sublime to the amenity laden. For tips on choosing the right campsite, read this guide.

Cowan Cowan Camping | 48 hours on Moreton Island

Of course, pitching a tent isn’t your only option. There are holiday homes and glamping tents scattered throughout the island, or for ease and all the amenities, you can’t beat family-friendly Tangalooma Island Resort. You can also get away with not bringing a 4WD if you stay here as there’s snorkelling right off the beach, activities aplenty, and you can organise to get out and explore the best of Moreton Island on a tour or two.

PM:

Beach driving on Moreton Island | national parks near Brisbane

With your car loaded and a sneaky early mark from the office, drive aboard the 1pm* MICAT ferry service from Brisbane to the wrecks on Moreton Island.

The trip from the Port of Brisbane to Moreton Island takes somewhere between 75 to 90 minutes to cover the 40kms that separates Brisbane and the Bay.

For those travelling without a car and staying at the resort, you can board Tangalooma’s passenger-only ferry from Holt Street Wharf.

Upon arrival, head to your camping site to get settled, or check into the resort then switch straight into holiday mode with a cocktail from B&B’s Bar. Or, find yourself a sun lounge around the pool.

Saturday

AM:

Moreton Island National Park | 48 hours on Moreton Island

Wake up naturally to the sound of curlews and kookaburras who are more than happy to remind you that an early start means more time to explore.

Today, jump in your 4WD and test your traction along the west coast. Travelling south to north, these are your must-stop attractions for the day:

WEST COAST

The Wrecks

Tangalooma Wrecks  | Things to do in Brisbane with kids

Pack your snorkel mask and fins – there are 15 sunken shipwrecks off Moreton Island, all teeming with marine life. And you don’t need a 4WD to reach then. Over 100 species of fish and sometimes even dolphins, wobbegongs and dugongs hang out around the wrecks, just north of the Tangalooma Resort.

The Wrecks are by far the most visited attraction on the island, so if you’d prefer to err on the side of crowd caution, head further up the coast to the lesser-known Bulwer Wrecks. Here you’ll find a shallow-snorkeller's dream and although you’ll be swimming at only one to two metres depth, there’s still an abundance of tropical fish to spot.

Champagne Pools

Meet the Champagne Pools – a bubbly swimming concoction of salty water cascading over a rock wall into clear pools below. You can thank the break wall made of volcanic and sandstone rock for this swimming sensation, which is best experienced in the late afternoon as the western sun dances across the water’s surface creating its champagne glow.

Moreton Island Lighthouse

Moreton Island Lighthouse | 48 hours on Moreton Island

Swap adventuring for a dose of history and visit Queensland’s oldest lighthouse, whose candy-cane facade dates back to 1857. Located within the Moreton Island National Park, the lighthouse was originally fuelled by an oil wick, but in 1997 it was given an eco-friendly upgrade and now runs full-time on solar power.

Dolphins and whales are a regular sighting off Cape Moreton in winter and the walk around the lighthouse offers box office seats to the humpback highway.

Tides permitting, we’d recommend scooting home ocean-side as the sun sets to your passenger’s side of the 4WD.

If you opted not to bring a 4WD along on your Moreton Island weekend, then book a 4WD bus tour through Tangalooma to see all of Moreton Island’s top highlights.

PM:

Moreton Island brings out its trump card after dark. You’re allowed fires at almost all beachfront campgrounds. Pack your firewood (you can’t collect firewood on the island, but you can purchase it) and kick back for an evening al fresco. For a full list of where you can light up, consult the Mulgumpin Camping site.

Resort guests can get up close to the island’s wildlife with kookaburra feeding sessions at the Eco Centre (held daily at 4.45pm). Then, after sunset, if you're staying at Tangalooma you'lll have the opportunity to wade knee-deep out into the ocean to hand-feed wild dolphins (this experience is available only to those who booked it as part of their package).

For dinner, choose between Tangalooma Island Resort’s Stone or Fire restaurants. Stone serves up contemporary Australian cuisine overlooking the beach while Fire’s punchy menu of traditional Sichuan cuisine is made for sharing.

Sunday

AM:

This time, work your way from south to north on the east coast with these landmarks:

EAST COAST

Mt Tempest Hike

Mount Tempest Hike | 48 hours on Moreton Island

Moreton Island has plenty of walks to get you out from behind the wheel and none are better than the hike to the summit of Mt Tempest, the highest coastal sand dune in the world.

It won’t take you long to appreciate why the Aboriginal name for Moreton Island is Moorgumpin, meaning 'place of sandhills'. Sure, the climb might only be 285m above sea level, but the near-vertical stairs will get your heart rate pumping.

The views at the top are well worth the climb – and you’ll be able to see exactly why this island is precisely 98% national park.

Tip: Pack lots of water because there are no amenities here and it gets very hot, even in winter.

Honeyeater Lake

Honeyeater Lake | 48 hours on Moreton Island

Birdwatchers should grab their binoculars and make like David Attenborough to Honeyeater Lake. You’ll find that the banksias are alive with the sound of honeyeaters who’ve made cities in the native trees that surround the lake.

Blue Lagoon

One part fresh water, one part tea tree oil, Blue Lagoon is the kind of place that’s refreshing with a capital R. While generally brown in colour due to the tea tree, on a sunny day you’ll find bright blue water and an orchestra of birdsong to accompany your dip.

Honeymoon Bay

Honeymoon Bay | 48 hours on Moreton Island

For arguably one of Queensland’s prettiest beaches, head north between Cape Moreton and North Point to the perfectly crescent-shaped Honeymoon Bay. There’s a short walk to the pristine 50m patch of beach, which is protected by 15m high rocky hills.

If you’re chasing magic photos – a heads up, this beach is eastern facing so you might want to reverse the itinerary and hit this beach first.

Tip: There are no lifeguards on Moreton Island, so be careful swimming here. Rips are common, not to mention the sharks.

PM:

Moreton Island Fishing | 48 hours on Moreton Island

The last boat off the island is at 4.30pm* when sadly you’ll dust the last sand off your shoes and adjust your tyre pressure back to high. The silver lining? A boat ride to hold onto that island feeling…. at least for another 70 minutes or so.

Of course, you could use the time to plot your next Moreton Island weekend away. Next time, add these experiences to your itinerary.

*Always check timetables ahead of travel for accurate ferry times.

Planning your next weekend getaway from Brisbane?

●      Here are 30 weekend country getaways near Brisbane.

●      Spend a weekend on Fraser Island.

●      Discover Queensland’s wine country with these Granite Belt vineyard escapes.

Let's stay in touch

We'll help uncover your perfect Queensland experience

Bunji
Welcome to Queensland! ☀️ How can I help you?