Moreton Island

Written by Callum Taylor, Camille Laurent, Marika Maslanka
23/08/2025
Aerial shot of shipwrecks in turquoise waters of Moreton Island, Australia.
Julie Sergeant, Pexels

Moreton Island is a pristine island paradise offering a mix of adventure, natural beauty, and tranquility, known for its extensive sand dunes, clear waters, and abundant wildlife. Visitors can engage in thrilling activities or simply relax amidst stunning coastal landscapes.

Opportunities for socializing exist, particularly for backpackers and those on guided tours. Many day tours and overnight packages cater to individuals seeking a social experience with other travelers. Tangalooma Island Resort also serves as a central hub with dining options and a lively atmosphere.

Top 5 Things to do in Moreton Island

Activities predominantly feature water-based explorations around historic wrecks, exhilarating descents down towering sand dunes, unique wildlife interactions, and scenic hikes to panoramic viewpoints.

1. Snorkel or Kayak the Tangalooma Wrecks

Just off the coast, a cluster of 15 sunken ships forms an artificial reef teeming with vibrant marine life, including colourful fish, turtles, and even dolphins. Snorkelling through these wrecks provides an immersive underwater experience, allowing you to get up close with the rich ecosystem that has claimed the vessels. Clear-bottom kayaking offers a unique perspective, gliding above the wrecks while observing the marine world beneath. This is a truly captivating experience, especially at night when guided transparent kayak tours illuminate the underwater scenery.

Cost: Joining a guided snorkel tour typically ranges from AUD $55 to $70. Day cruises from Brisbane that include wreck snorkelling, ferry transfers, and a lunch voucher generally start from AUD $169 per adult. For independent exploration, if you possess strong swimming skills and your own snorkel gear, you can swim out to the wrecks from the beach near Tangalooma Resort. Equipment hire may be available at the resort, with catamaran hire for example around AUD $49.

Transport: The Tangalooma Wrecks are located on the western side of the island, a short distance from the Tangalooma Island Resort. Accessing the island involves taking a ferry from Brisbane. The Tangalooma Island Resort Ferry (approx. AUD $88 return per adult) departs from Holt Street Wharf, Pinkenba. The Micat Ferry (approx. AUD $38 each way per adult) departs from the Port of Brisbane and docks closer to the wrecks. Many day tours provide return ferry transfers from Brisbane or the Gold Coast directly to the activity site or resort.

2. Sand Tobogganing in the Tangalooma Desert

Venturing into the island's expansive desert landscape, you will find enormous sand dunes perfect for an adrenaline-pumping sand tobogganing experience. Strapping yourself onto a board and sliding down these steep, sandy slopes, you can reach speeds of up to 40-60 kilometres per hour, creating an exhilarating rush. The journey to the desert in a 4WD bus is an adventure in itself, navigating sandy tracks and enjoying the island's unique inland scenery.

Cost: Sand tobogganing is almost exclusively offered as part of guided tours, which include 4WD transport to the dunes and equipment. A 'Desert Safari Tour' from Tangalooma Resort typically costs around AUD $55 per adult. Full-day tours from Brisbane, combining ferry transfers, lunch, and sand tobogganing, range from AUD $155 to $225 per adult.

Transport: The activity requires 4WD transport to reach the remote sand dunes. Most tours include this specialist 4WD bus transfer from the Tangalooma Resort area. If traveling independently with a private 4WD, a vehicle access permit for the national park would be necessary.

3. Wild Dolphin Feeding at Tangalooma Island Resort

As dusk settles over Moreton Island, a pod of wild dolphins often approaches the shores near Tangalooma Island Resort. Participating in the wild dolphin feeding program allows you to hand-feed these magnificent creatures, a truly memorable and intimate encounter with nature. Expert Eco Rangers guide the experience, providing insights into the dolphins' behaviour and ensuring their welfare. This activity provides a deep connection to the island's abundant marine life.

Cost: The wild dolphin feeding experience is typically included as part of day cruise packages from Brisbane. These packages, often bundled with ferry transfers and a meal voucher, usually start from AUD $229 to $243 per adult. The experience is managed by Tangalooma Island Resort, and direct feeding is reserved for guests on specific packages.

Transport: This activity takes place at Tangalooma Island Resort. Return ferry transfers from Brisbane's Holt Street Wharf are almost always included in the dolphin feeding day packages. There is no public transport directly to the feeding jetty on the island itself.

4. Hike Mount Tempest

Embarking on the hike to the summit of Mount Tempest, the world's largest vegetated sand dune, offers a rewarding challenge. The steep climb through eucalypt forests and grasstrees leads to a breathtaking 360-degree panoramic view of the entire island, Moreton Bay, and on clear days, even the Glass House Mountains on the mainland. This trek provides a wonderful sense of achievement and showcases the island's vast, untouched natural beauty from its highest point.

Cost: There is no direct cost for hiking Mount Tempest itself. However, accessing the trailhead requires a 4WD vehicle, as it is located in the island's interior, accessible only via sandy tracks. If you do not have your own 4WD, you would need to join a tour that includes 4WD transport around the island or hire a 4WD vehicle, which would incur costs.

Transport: Mount Tempest is in the center of the island. A high-clearance 4WD vehicle is essential to reach the start of the walking track, typically accessed via Middle Road. There is no public transport on the island, and taxis are not a viable option for this remote location.

5. Swim at Blue Lagoon and Champagne Pools

The Blue Lagoon offers a tranquil freshwater swimming experience, with waters naturally tinted a beautiful bronze by tea tree oils, which are also known for their skin-benefiting properties. Further north, the Champagne Pools are a series of natural rock pools on the ocean side that fizz and bubble as waves crash over them, creating a natural spa-like sensation. Both locations provide idyllic spots for relaxing swims and enjoying the island's diverse natural freshwater and coastal environments.

Cost: There is no entry fee for either the Blue Lagoon or the Champagne Pools. Access, however, requires a 4WD vehicle to traverse the island's sandy tracks to the eastern beaches where these attractions are located. Some island tours may include visits to these spots as part of a 4WD sightseeing package.

Transport: These natural attractions are located on the eastern side of Moreton Island. Access is only possible with a high-clearance 4WD vehicle, driving along designated sandy tracks and beaches. Taxis and public transport are not available for these areas. Some resort tours offer a 'Blue Lagoon Safari Bus Tour' which provides 4WD transport.

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