The ferry to Moreton Island is operated by Micat Ferries and accommodates approximately fifty vehicles at a time. Passengers can relax in the comfortable lounge area overlooking the deck while they enjoy refreshments and food available for purchase from the snack bar.
The journey takes just over an hour from the Port of Brisbane. Upon reaching the island the barge nuzzles up to a beach beside the Tangalooma Wrecks and drops its ramp onto the sand to discharge the 4WD vehicles and foot passengers. Do note that road conditions on Moreton Island are only suitable for four-wheel-drive vehicles.
Dolphins and Diving at Tangalooma
The landing beach is within sight of Tangalooma resort, the only one on Moreton Island. Accommodation is offered at the resort, as well as a variety of outdoor activities. Interact with the wild dolphins that visit the jetty in the evenings or splash out on a diving expedition around the wrecks. A camp site is situated next to the wrecks and in the opposite direction, up the beach heading in a northerly direction, another is located at Ben Ewa.
Ablution facilities are maintained at all camp sites on the island.
Just before the Ben Ewa camp site a track turns into the forest that lines the beach. This is Middle Road, one of the well-maintained sandy tracks that criss-cross the island. It winds roughly five kilometres from the Western beach to the Eastern beach through a forest that glows in daylight filtered through a tangled web of branches overhead. In the off-road conditions the drive through the forest takes a while, allowing time to enjoy the beautiful forest scenery.
Blue Lagoon, Yellow Patch and the Lighthouse
Over at the other end the track empties out onto a long stretch of sandy beach broken only by coconuts and other flotsam that decorate the high water mark. Turning north, the Eagers Creek camp site is nearby while a further 8 or 9km up the beach is the Blue Lagoon camp site, so named because of its proximity to a huge freshwater lake known as the Blue Lagoon.
It feels surreal to swim in water as clean and clear as this while the thunder of ocean waves can be heard nearby, just over the sand dunes.
For those who wish to do more than lie in a hammock slung between trees next to their tent all day, there are a number of options. Visit the lighthouse perched on rocky cliffs at Cape Moreton and then descend to the nearby beach at Yellow Patch for a dip in the sea. A surf gully is a great place for children to swim and they are bound to enjoy sharing their pool with the little fish left behind by the tide.
Fishing is one of the most popular pastimes on Moreton Island and fishermen are spoilt for choice as far as locations are concerned.
What to Pack for the Camping Trip
There is currently no place to buy fuel on Moreton Island, so do ensure that the vehicle is full before bringing it over on the ferry. Consider bringing a spare few litres of fuel along in a container, in case the car gets thirsty from driving on sand.
Also be familiar with the vehicle’s recommended tyre pressures. Tyres should be deflated as appropriate for soft sand before the ferry reaches the island and air pressure hoses are available on the barge to re-inflate them on the return journey.
Apart from the usual (e.g. tent, chairs, bedding, torches, insect repellent and food), one of the most important things to remember is to bring fresh water. Showers are available at the ablution facilities but the water is not suitable for consumption.
It is also worthwhile bringing a gas cooker as there may be fire bans in place.
While the settlement at Bulwer – the oldest township on the island – is home to a convenience store that is surprisingly well-stocked for its size, it is not advisable to rely on this for supplies. It is, however, a great source of ice-cream.
Most of the island has been declared a National Park. Permits are required to camp there and are available when booking the ferry trip. There is a limit to the amount of permits issued at one time. The result: no crowds.
This is the best part of camping on Moreton Island. It swallows people up as they disembark from the ferry and most of them are not seen again until they begin to queue on the beach to head back to civilisation.
References:
Therese Baz - Therese started writing in 2001 when she first ventured beyond the borders of her home country, South Africa. Inspired by the sights, ...
Join the Conversation