Moreton Island Island

Address: Moreton Island, Queensland, Australia (access via Tangalooma or Kooringal)

Website: https://parks.des.qld.gov.au/parks/moreton-island

Moreton Island is a large sand island off the coast of Queensland, northeast of Brisbane. It is known for beaches, coastal sand dunes and nearshore wrecks used for recreation.

The island offers sheltered snorkeling at the Tangalooma Wrecks, beaches and large sand dunes suitable for sandboarding and off-road driving, as well as picnic and camping areas. A historic lighthouse crowns the northern headland and provides a prominent coastal landmark.

The island has long been used by Indigenous Australians and later by European settlers for maritime activities; sections of the coastline have been altered by tourism infrastructure in the 20th century. The Tangalooma Wrecks were placed deliberately to form a protected snorkeling site.

Located in Moreton Bay off southeast Queensland, the island is reached by ferry or private boat from Brisbane and nearby coastal towns.

• Access and vehicle requirements: Accessible by ferry from Brisbane and nearby mainland terminals; much of the island is driveable by licensed four-wheel-drive vehicles requiring permits.
• Top activities: Popular activities include snorkelling at the wrecks, dune rides, beach fishing and seasonal whale watching in coastal waters.

What to See#

• Tangalooma Wrecks: A line of deliberately scuttled vessels near Tangalooma resort that form a sheltered reef popular for snorkelling and beginner-level diving.
• Cape Moreton Lighthouse: A 19th-century lighthouse sited at the island’s northern headland that marks approaches through Moreton Bay; it is a frequent photo point for visitors.
• Sand dunes and beaches: Extensive coastal sand dunes and inland beach systems used for sandboarding, four-wheel driving and scenic viewpoints across the bay.

Ferries and barges depart from Brisbane (Holt Street Wharf in Pinkenba) and from the Gold Coast to Moreton Island (Tangalooma Resort and Kooringal). Private 4WD access is possible; vehicle permits are required for driving on beaches and tracks. Day trips and camping options are available through commercial operators and the Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service.

• Book 4WD ferry transfers in advance during peak holiday periods.
• Visit the Tangalooma Wrecks for snorkeling early in the morning to avoid crowds and see clearer water.
• If driving from Brisbane, the ferry departs from Holt Street Wharf, Pinkenba - leave time for parking and check ferry departure procedures.