MoretonIsland

G'DAY MORETONEER!

You're one step closer!To getting off-road and unplugged on beautiful Moreton Island!

Get me there quick!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!

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!

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.

That pesky GPS updateThere 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.

Yep it's a National ParkSo 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 MICRATO 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!

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.

WHERE CAN I REFUEL ON MORETON?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!

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 NEEDA 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.

Want to know more? Check out our FAQ’s page on our website!

Walking Tracks

Vehicle Tracks

Creeks

North Point

Reeders Point

Ranger Station

Information

Parking

Camping Ground

Camping

MICAT Landing

Settlement

Wetlands

Sand

Vehicular Ferry

Drinking Water

Toilets

Showers

Walking Track

Ampitheatre

Telephone

Emergency Helipad

General Store

Lighthouse

Shipwreck

Fires Prohibited

Spearfishing Prohibited

Ranger Station

Information

Parking

Camping Ground

Camping

MICAT Landing

Settlement

Wetlands

Sand

Vehicular Ferry

Drinking Water

Toilets

Showers

Walking Track

Ampitheatre

Telephone

Emergency Helipad

General Store

Lighthouse

Shipwreck

Fires Prohibited

Spearfishing Prohibited

Ranger Station

Information

Parking

Camping Ground

Camping

MICAT Landing

Settlement

Wetlands

Sand

Vehicular Ferry

Drinking Water

Toilets

Showers

Walking Track

Ampitheatre

Telephone

Emergency Helipad

General Store

Lighthouse

Shipwreck

Fires Prohibited

Spearfishing Prohibited

MORETON ISLAND!

ABOUT THE ISLAND “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”.

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!

BACK IN THE OLD DAYS! 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.

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!

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 WRECKED15 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!

02 EXTREME SANDBOARDINGWax 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!

03 CAPE MORETON LIGHTHOUSETake 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 POOLSBlend 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.

05 BLUE LAGOONWho 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.

06 NORTH POINTMix 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!

07 MT TEMPEST HIKEAdd 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.

08 BATTERY ACIDBig 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 wortha look whilst visiting Moreton Island!

09 4WDINGMoreton 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!

10 WALK IT 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.

EXPERIENCES

THE TOWNS

BULWERThe 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 LagoonBlue 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 LakeHoneyeater 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.

BEACHESThe 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.

WALKINGMoreton 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 waysto appreciate the natural beauty of the island!

If you’re an adventure seeker and ready to burn some serious calories, see below walking trails we recommend!

ROUS BATTERY - 9.8 KM ONE-WAYSee 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!

the desert - 4 KM CIRCUITWalk 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.

MT. TEMPEST - 2.2 KM RETURNMount 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.

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.

Blue Lagoon - 500 M RETURN 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.

honeyeater lake - 60 M RETURN 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.

FIve hills lookout - 1 KM RETURN 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.

cape moreton - 1.3 KM CIRCUIT 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!

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 & FAUNAFor 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.

DOLPHINSThese 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.

TURTLESThese 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 sea-grasses 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 WHALESIf 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!

4WDINGMoreton 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!

ONBOARD THE MICAT 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.

WATCH THE TIDES! 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

WHEN SAND DRIVING1. 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.

4. Most beaches have washouts caused by creeks cutting across the beach. Slow right down to cross them

5. 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

The Wrecks to:

Tangalooma via Middle Rd 15 minutes Bulwer via Cowan Cowan 20 minutesThe Desert via Tangalooma Bypass 30 minutesKooringal via Middle Rd 50 minutes

Tangalooma to:

Bulwer via Cowan Cowan 35 minutesKooringal via Toulkerrie 60 minutesThe Desert via Tangalooma Bypass 15 minutes

Bulwer to:

Cape Moreton via Bulwer-North Point Rd 30 minutesBlue Lagoon via Bulwer-Blue Lagoon Rd 40 minutesThe Desert via Tangalooma Bypass 50 minutesKooringal via Middle Rd 70 minutes

*Note: Times will vary depending on beach and weatherconditions and the tides at time of travel. The above travel times are a estimate only and may vary.

TIDE VARIATIONS The tides on Moreton Island vary in a number of places.The variation at:

• 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

Don’t forget to download a MAP & tides times from our website!

Happy travels!

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