Moreton
Island
G'DAY MORETONEER!
You're one step closer!
To getting off-road and unplugged on beautiful Moreton Island!
Get me there quick!
That pesky GPS update
We know you’re keen to Escape the Fake so we won’t
bore you with unnecessary details - we just want you to
have all the info you need for an enjoyable and fuss-free
trip!
There have been some recent road updates recently
that your GPS (and google maps) may not be aware of
– check out our ‘Contact Us’ page for instructions on
how to get to the terminal without having a meltdown.
We don’t want to leave you behind, so please make
sure you book your 4WD and trailer at the correct size
- check out our ‘Fares’ page for more info. Chat to one
of our Escape Experts if you’re unsure of how to do this
so you don’t get left in the concrete jungle when you
should be chilling with your feet in the sand!
Yep it's a National Park
I have to be where when?
Departures: Please arrive at 14 Howard Smith Drive, Port
of Brisbane or Moreton Island Wrecks 1 hour prior to
your departure time for 4WDs* – for walk-on passengers
please arrive around 30 minutes prior or if you’re keen
for a cafe latte and smiley pie to start the day then come
a little earlier! *Sunday 14.30 service – you only need to
arrive by 13.45 as the ferry will arrive back to port around
2pm.
So there are fees to keep Moreton looking as beautiful
as ever which are not included in your MICAT fares.
If you don’t want to share a tent with crazy Bob we
recommend booking your camping and vehicle permits
BEFORE you arrive. We love talking to the rangers, but if
you want to stay on their good side you’ll need to print
and display your vehicle permit on your windscreen
before driving on to the sand.
We can take all the hassle out of booking your permits
by doing it for you, but do so on behalf of you through
National Parks. A small fee is all you will pay for this
timesaving service which covers our basic costs.
CAN I TAKE MY NISSAN MICRA
TO MORETON?
WHERE CAN I REFUEL ON
MORETON?
Moreton is a sand only island with no sealed roads so only
4WD’s can travel to the island. So unless you want your
head in the sand, jump onboard the MICAT as a walk-on
passenger! Come get wrecked with shipwreck snorkelling
or laze about all day on the white sandy beaches!
The Castaways store at Bulwer, Moreton Island is open
5-6 days a week depending on the time of year. Trading
hours vary during peak and selected periods. You can
buy all your holiday essentials including petrol and diesel,
firewood, ice, bait, gas, grocery items and 4WD recovery
gear just in case!
IF NOT, WHERE CAN I PARK uP?
We have secure parking at the ferry terminal but please
note spaces are limited and subject to availabilty on the
day of travel. If there are no parking spaces available, you
can park your vehicle out the front of the terminal.
WHAT ABOUT MY LUGGUGE?
We do offer complimentary use of luggage trolleys at the
ferry terminal to transport your gear onboard the MICAT
for walk-on passengers. You can grab a trolley from
under the passenger waiting shed at the ferry terminal. All
luggage trolleys must remain on the mainland.
Want to know more? Check out
our FAQ’s page on our website!
WHERE CAN I GRAB A BITE TO
EAT?
Castaways at Bulwer is the place to go for legendary
Sunday brekkies, lazy lunches and relaxed dining. Take a
break from camp cooking and join us for relaxed dining
under the thatched roof of Castaways at Bulwer. It’s an
all-round great place to catch up with the locals or your
camping and fishing buddies!
WHO TO CONTACT WHEN I NEED
A HAND?
No really - we are here to help! If you want to change or
make a booking check out our website. If you need to
chat to an expert, contact an Escape Expert by phoning
the Escape office on 07 3909 3333.
North Point
Walking Tracks
Vehicle Tracks
Creeks
MICAT Landing
Camping
Settlement
Wetlands
Sand
Ranger Station
Information
MICAT Landing
Parking
Camping
Camping Ground
Settlement
Vehicular Ferry
Wetlands
Drinking Water
Sand
Toilets
Ranger Station
Showers
Information
Walking Track
MICAT Landing
Parking
Ampitheatre
Camping
Camping Ground
Telephone
Settlement
Vehicular Ferry
Emergency Helipad
Wetlands
Drinking Water
General Store
Sand
Toilets
Lighthouse
Ranger Station
Showers
Shipwreck
Information
Walking Track
Fires Prohibited
Parking
Ampitheatre
Spearfishing Prohibited
Camping Ground
Telephone
Reeders Point
MORETON ISLAND!
ABOUT THE ISLAND
BACK IN THE OLD DAYS!
“Brissie’s little slice of paradise” is one of the best
experiences that Australia has to offer! Brisbane is
fortunate in having on its doorstep one of Australia’s
largest sand islands, making Moreton Island perfect for
that much needed getaway to “Escape the Fake”.
European residents settled on the island in 1848, when
the Amity Point pilot’s station on North Stradbroke
Island was relocated to Moreton Island. This was due
to several shipping disasters through the South Passage
after the Sovereign shipwrecked on the island, and a
pilot station was established at Bulwer.
Moreton Island remains one of the few untouched
areas of natural wilderness along the east coast. We’ve
got all the same crystal clear waters, stunning coral
formations and white sandy beaches that you’ll hear
about from some of the other spots in Queensland,
but what’s missing is the pain-in-the-backside travel,
briefings, tourists and price tag!
Just a short 75 minute ferry ride across the bay,
Moreton Island is quickly being discovered as an
unspoilt paradise for people wanting to relax and enjoy
nature or for the wacky and wild wanting to have some
fun and adventure!
From beach or rock fishing to shipwreck snorkelling,
walking through wildflowers, exploring historic sites or
just lazing about on the white sandy beaches, Moreton
Island offers something for everyone! So what are you
waiting for!? Come get unplugged and onto Moreton!
In 1857, convicts built Queensland’s first lighthouse
from local sandstone at Cape Moreton. The lighthouse
today is Queensland’s oldest operating lighthouse! A
telegraph line was built in the 1890s to service the Cape
Moreton lighthouse. In 1952 the line was abandoned,
but relics of the old line are still visible along the Bulwer
to North Point track and the Telegraph Road.
Queensland’s only whaling station operated at
Tangalooma between 1952 and 1962, with humpback
whales being harvested on their annual migration.
Remains of the whaling station are still part of the
Tangalooma Resort.
Major coastal defence bases were located on Moreton
Island during the world wars. In World War I, Cowan
Cowan Point provided the main defence base. During
World War II, two large defence battery complexes were
built at Cowan Cowan and the east side of the island;
the Rous Battery. The Rous Battery is home to the only
155mm battery within driving distance of Brisbane!
EXPERIENCES
Moreton Island is an amazing place to visit!
No crowds, pristine crystal blue waters and an untouched environment to explore!
Below are some things to see and do that you’ll need to check off while visiting Moreton!
01 GET WRECKED
06 NORTH POINT
15 sunken shipwrecks amongst colourful fish and
marine life create an amazing snorkelling site.
Brisbane’s only shipwrecked snorkelling site will
blow your mind, it’s a must do experience!
Mix sun setting with North Point for spectacular
evening views, spice it up with a hint of Glass House
Mountains, a bottle of wine and some cheese for an
unforgettable experience!
02 EXTREME SANDBOARDING
07 MT TEMPEST HIKE
Wax up your sandboard and feel the rush as you
reach speeds of up to 60km/h— the higher you go up
the faster you come down! Get ready to burn some
calories as you climb back up our amazing sandhills!
Add boots, sweat and plenty of ocean views,
Mt.Tempest is a must do experience for the
adventure seekers! Hike energetically for a while
before sitting and soaking up the beauty of Mt
Tempest’s 360-degree views of the Island.
03 CAPE MORETON LIGHTHOUSE
Take vintage 1857 Moreton Cape lighthouse, and
serve with fantastic views for a wonderful mix of
time and place. Dolphins and whales are added
when in season.
04 CHAMPAGNE POOLS
08 BATTERY ACID
Big guns and fantastic views are vigorously whisked
together to create a simple, yet powerful shot. The
Rous Battery is home to the only 155mm battery
within driving distance of Brisbane. Definitely worth
a look whilst visiting Moreton Island!
Blend volcanic rock and sandstone until it forms a
break wall for the surf. Add plenty of ocean water
so that it energetically cascades over it to then
bubble and foam into a series of crystal clear pools.
Champagne Pools is an invigorating spectacle that
simply has to be experienced.
09 4WDING
05 BLUE LAGOON
10 WALK IT
Who needs a shower when you have Blue Lagoon?
Equal parts cool clear water and tea-tree oil. Dive
in and splash around for a while to experience a
refreshing and relaxing end to the day.
Moreton Island offers some amazing walking trails
for the energetic! You can spot an abundance of
diverse wildlife, see breathtaking views from the
Cape Moreton Lighthouse and Honeymoon Bay.
Walking trails range from easy to difficult.
Moreton Island contains over 420kms of unsealed
bliss for the four wheel drive enthusiast! Add you
and adrenaline, and then bounce around for a few
hours for the ultimate road free experience!
THE TOWNS
BULWER
The small quiet township of Bulwer was established in
1848 on Moreton Island as a pilot station. Bulwer was a
small community and even included a school until the
end of December 1909.
Bulwer is now a charming holiday and fishing village
located on the north west side of Moreton Island. Just
100 metres from the beach, Castaways Store and Cafe
offers travellers all the holiday essentials as well as
accommodation options inluding Glamping tents.
The beach in front of Bulwer offers calm, crystal clear
blue waters, white sandy beaches, great fishing near the
Bulwer Wrecks and is a safe swimming area for the kids.
COWAN COWAN
The village of Cowan Cowan is situated about 7kms
south of Bulwer on the western Beach. There are
several land allotments strung out along the beach for
about 1km with Cowan Cowan being home to many of
the residents of Moreton island.
Cowan Cowan was first used by the maritime
authorities as a pilot station for ships entering Moreton
Bay once the Lighthouse at Cape Moreton was built in
1857. It was used as a Pilot Station until it was closed
in 1963. Remains of military buildings such as gun
emplacements and forts can still be seen on the beach
in front of Cowan Cowan.
KOORINGAL
Kooringal consists of a number of private holiday
homes, fishing clubhouses and houses scattered along
the beachfront and is a major township for residents of
Moreton Island.
The township is the mellow part of Moreton Island and
is a great place to relax and unwind. Kooringal is also
home to the famous Gutter Bar which provides high
quality seafood, meals and other services for the locals.
Kooringal is renowned for their seafood that is fresh
from the local trawlers and oysters from the clear local
waters of Moreton Bay at the Kooringal oyster farm!
EXPLORE
LAKES
Blue Lagoon
Blue Lagoon is a natural fresh water lake located on the
north-eastern side of the island. Equal parts cool clear
water and tea tree oil make it the ideal combination to
help you look younger! (well that’s what they say!)
The pure fresh water and white sand make is the ideal
spot for a swim to cool off, or to just sit back and relax!
Blue Lagoon is also a great place to look out for wild
flowers and a variety of birds so keep your eyes peeled!
Honeyeater Lake
Honeyeater Lake is a smaller lake also located on the
north-eastern side of the island. Honeyeater is a great
place to see a variety of waterbirds and is surrounded
by banksia flowers which attract honeyeaters.
Relax and enjoy the sound of the honeyeater while taking
in the great views. Honeyeater Lake was created when
water collected in a depression with a solid bottom,
which then prevents rainwater filtering down into the
water table.
BEACHES
The best part of any Moreton adventure has got to be
hanging out at the beach! Crystal clear blue waters and
white sandy beaches make Moreton an island paradise.
That’s not bad for a short trip from Brissie!
Kilometres of white sandy beach line the island’s eastern
side making it ideal for swimming, surfing, and fishing.
The sheltered western edge offer a calm environment for
those after a more relaxing experience with crystal clear
blue water and soft white sandy beach.
WALKING
Moreton Island has many walking and hiking trails on the
island, ranging from short easy strolls to half-day hikes.
Walking is one of the best ways to appreciate the island’s
environmental features and discover some of the various
wildlife habitats. Quiet observation with binoculars or a
camera can be very rewarding so keep your eyes peeled!
Bring your boots and try out the Mt. Tempest hike! It’s
a must do experience for the adventure seekers but be
prepared to burn some serious calories! Make sure you
have all the essentails - carry a map, compass, food,
drinking water and first-aid kit. Wear protective clothing,
hat, sunscreen, sunglasses and insect repellent.
EXPLORING BY FOOT
Exploring Moreton Island by foot is one of the best ways
to appreciate the natural beauty of the island!
Blue Lagoon - 500 M RETURN
If you’re an adventure seeker and ready to burn some
serious calories, see below walking trails we recommend!
Wind through heathland to the dune blow-out on the
lake. Blue Lagoon is a window lake, created when the
watertable is exposed at the land surface. Access to Blue
Lagoon is from the ocean beach on the western side.
ROUS BATTERY - 9.8 KM ONE-WAY
honeyeater lake - 60 M RETURN
See the remnants of a World War II fort scattered around
the dunes. The walk follows the old Rous Battery Service
Road. Definitely worth a look whilst visiting Moreton!
Enjoy a short stroll to a viewing platform looking over
this perched lake. Honeyeater Lake is a great place to
see a variety of water birds and is surrounded by the
sounds of the honeyeaters feeding on banksia flowers.
the desert - 4 KM CIRCUIT
FIve hills lookout - 1 KM RETURN
Walk along the trail over the large sand dune and watch
for wildlife that lives in this harsh environment. This walk
can be tiring so we recommend a good level of fitness.
The track winds through low heathland to the top of a
large sand dune. You’ll be rewarded with views of Heath
Island and areas near Yellowpatch and North Point.
MT. TEMPEST - 2.2 KM RETURN
cape moreton - 1.3 KM CIRCUIT
Mount Tempest is the highest, vegetated sand dune in the
world at 280 metres high! After your steep climb, you will
be rewarded with 360 degree views of the island.
Visit Queensland’s oldest lighthouse, built in 1857. Cape
Moreton is a great viewing point for watching marine life
such as dolphins, sharks, and turtles. Make sure you visit
the information centre and discover more about Moreton!
TELEGRAPH TRACK - 16 KM RETURN
Discover interesting habitats, and relics of the telegraph
line. The track goes through several vegetation types
including heathland and eucalypt woodland. Look out
for the perched swamp found on top of the dune ridge.
Don’t forget to download a MAP
of the trails from our website!
https://moretonislandadventures.com.au/about/
map-of-moreton-island/
ENVIRONMENT
Moreton Island represents one of the least polluted
and least disturbed coastal environments along the
Queensland coastline. The island is 37km long, 10km
wide and is located 40km from Brisbane. Most of
Moreton Island’s 19,000ha is both national park and
beaches.
FLORA & FAUNA
For nature lovers there is a large range of natural
environments to be found right across Moreton Island.
The island has a rich array of plant varieties from
stunted heathlands to open eucalypt forests. Travel
through beautiful bush land around Middle Road and
Bulwer to North Point road which also has plenty of
grass trees and Banksia.
The Scribbly Gum and Pink Bloodwood grow
everywhere in Moreton’s bushland. The sandy soils are
low in nutrients so trees and shrubs rely on the surface
nutrients for food. Spinifex grass and other salt resistant
ground cover plants grow all over the sand dunes
holding them together preventing erosion. Moreton
Island also hosts a wide variety of wildflowers in the
spring time.
There is plenty of wildlife viewing on Moreton Island
which can be found around the island, along the
walking and 4WD tracks, in the waters surrounding the
island or on the beaches. Moreton Island is a perfect
place for bird watching with over 180 species of birds,
including seabirds, forest birds and birds of prey.
Wading birds can be found on the island, especially
between September and April when many birds migrate
from other countries.
MARINE LOCALS
The waters surrounding Moreton Island are teeming with
marine life! The Moreton Bay Marine Park is home to a
huge amount of amazing sea life - from countless species
of fish to sea turtles, dolphins, humpback whales the
gentle dugong as well as sharks and stingrays.
Cape Moreton is a great vantage point for watching marine
life such as humpback whales during their migration from
June to November. From Cape Moreton you might also be
lucky enough to spot dolphins, sharks and turtles cruising
about so keep your eyes peeled!
Whilst strolling over the shallow sandy flats at low tide you
might come across a range of marine life. The area is full
of green worms, sea anemones, molluscs and thousands
of blue soldier crabs, shellfish and ghost crabs.
DOLPHINS
These guys are real locals at Moreton and can easily
be spotted all around the island throughout the year.
They’re commonly spotted in pods of around 10
from the cape but if you’re lucky you might also spot
mothers and their babies playing in the bay. Dolphins
have also been seen coming quite close into shore to
catch their dinner, consisting of different species of
small fish and occasionally squids and crabs.
TURTLES
These amazing creatures can be spotted popping
up for air around the rock edges and waves of Cape
Moreton at the base of the Lighthouse. The turtles love
to have a swim around the rocks to feed on the seagrasses and jellyfish. From looking down from the Cape
at around 90m above sea level the turtles may seem
quite small, when in fact they can be 1m in length. The
female turtles come to shore to lay their eggs in the
dunes every year between November and March.
HUMPBACK WHALES
If you visit Moreton Island between the months of June
to October, you may be lucky enough to spot these
gentle giants from Cape Moreton! The humpback
whale is quite acrobatic often breaching and slapping
in the water. They only feed in polar waters in summer
and migrate north in winter to warmer waters to breed
and give birth. During whale watching season, Moreton
expects around 14,000 to 16,000 humpback whales to
pass by the island!
STAYING SAFE!
4WDING
Moreton Island is a sand only island without sealed
roads. Beaches may have hazards, including washouts
and exposed rocks, particularly after heavy rain and
rough seas. Stay alert when driving on Moreton Island
at all times. Accidents can happened due to reckless
driving or silly pranks. Passengers have suffered serious
injuries in vehicles travelling too fast for the road or
beach conditions, so if your driver makes you feel
unsafe in a vehicle — say something!
WHEN SAND DRIVING
1. Obey all road rules - normal road rules apply on all island tracks and beaches.
2. Keep below the maximum speed limits of 60k/h - police do patrol the island.
3. The speed limit is reduced to 20 kp/h in front of Ben-Ewa Campground, The Wrecks Campground, the MICAT, The Wrecks & Bulwer.
ONBOARD THE MICAT
4. Most beaches have washouts caused by creeks cutting across the beach. Slow right down to cross them
Once onboard th MICAT reduce your tyre pressure to
suit the conditions expected. Many locals on Moreton
Island lower their tyre pressure to around 18 psi,
however all vehicles are different. The MICAT has four
air hoses on the vehicle deck for your convenience.
5.
WATCH THE TIDES!
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The best time to travel is around low tide.
Avoid driving two hours either side of high tide and often for longer, as some areas are more affected by the tidal activity than others
Creeks flowing out onto beaches should be crossed with caution and at walking pace
You should not stop your vehicle in any creek bed — use low speed and check depth and sand softness before crossing
All roads are unsealed, rough, rutted, sandy and narrow and not suitable for speeds anywhere near the maximum. Slow down and beprepared to back up and give way to oncoming traffic.
6. Pass on the left and indicate to let other drivers know your intentions, show etiquette and give a wave
7. Keep left of oncoming vehicles at all times.
8. Wear seatbelts at all times.
9. For safety, it is best to avoid driving at night.
10.Please watch for children playing on the beach. They can’t hear your vehicle due to surf and wind.
DRIVING ON MORETON!
TRAVELLING TIMES
TIDE VARIATIONS
The Wrecks to:
The tides on Moreton Island vary in a number of places.
The variation at:
Tangalooma via Middle Rd Bulwer via Cowan Cowan The Desert via Tangalooma Bypass
Kooringal via Middle Rd 15 minutes
20 minutes
30 minutes
50 minutes
• The Wrecks is 30 minutes earlier than Brisbane Bar
• Ocean beach is 2 hours earlier than Brisbane Bar
• Day’s Gutter is 45 minutes earlier than Brisbane Bar
Tangalooma to:
Bulwer via Cowan Cowan Kooringal via Toulkerrie The Desert via Tangalooma Bypass
35 minutes
60 minutes
15 minutes
Bulwer to:
Cape Moreton via Bulwer-North Point Rd
Blue Lagoon via Bulwer-Blue Lagoon Rd
The Desert via Tangalooma Bypass
Kooringal via Middle Rd 30 minutes
40 minutes
50 minutes
70 minutes
*Note: Times will vary depending on beach and weather
conditions and the tides at time of travel. The above travel
times are a estimate only and may vary.
Don’t forget to download a MAP
& tides times from our website!
Happy travels!
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