One of the most beautiful islands on Moreton Bay is the third largest sand island in the world; Moreton Island. Situated only 58km north east of Brisbane, Moreton Island is an isolated and tranquil corner of the world that can only be accessed by 4WD. If you’re a 4WD and camping enthusiast, then this island is a wonderful place to for a week long camping getaway with the family. Almost all of the 240km island is a national park and its sandy tracks are bordered by bushland, lagoons, cultural sites, campgrounds, and massive sand dunes of course!
How to get there There’s a couple of barges that take you to Moreton Island, but I’ve found the most convenient (and scenic) is from Victoria Point, roughly 30km south east of Brisbane in Redland Bay. The trip takes about 2 hours depending on the tides, and the barge will drop you off at Kooringal on the southern side of the island. 4WD’s that have high clearance and low range function are ideal to explore the island, and even if you don’t own a 4WD, you can hire one from Fleet Crew. What to expect There are three townships on Moreton Island which are all built on the western side, with lots of small holiday houses, campsites, and an amazing resort at Tangalooma on the northern side. Off the coast of Tangalooma is a famous ship wreck and loads of marine life that can be explored by scuba diving and snorkelling. All the sandy 4WD tracks loop the island in a figure eight, with Middle Road parting the island and allowing access between the western beach side and the ocean beach side. Middle Road takes you to Mount Tempest which is the largest sand hill on the globe, standing at 285 metres high and offering a panoramic view of Moreton Bay. Cape Moreton Lighthouse is another popular attraction positioned on the north eastern side. Built in 1854, Cape Moreton is the oldest lighthouse in Queensland and the only one made from stone. In relation to camping, there are a total of 10 campsites scattered throughout the island all within walking distance of the beach. Each are sheltered from the wind and lie in lush and shady areas. The only campsite on the ocean beach side is Blue Lagoon which is great for family camping being so close to the freshwater lake. The other campsites are located at North Point, Comboyuro Point, Honeymoon Bay, Bulwer Wrecks, and Tangalooma. Preparation It’s best to fill up your tank with petrol before you arrive at the barge. Most 4WD tanks will lastaround a week on the island, but you can always purchase a 20L drum from Bulwer General Store if you do run empty. You’ll also need to purchase a vehicle access permit to be able to drive your 4WD on the island. Depending on how long you wish to stay, you can purchase a range of access permits, from a single day to yearly permits. Understanding the tide times is also paramount to getting around on the island. You don’t want to get stuck with an incoming tide, so it’s best to explore the island two hours either side of low tide when the beach is at its widest. As a general rule of thumb, don’t travel on the island two hours either side of high tide. 4WD pointers As all of the island is sand, it's important that you have some experience in driving in sand to make your trip as rewarding as possible. Here are a few suggestions for driving on the island:
Moreton Island has a vast range of activities and attractions to explore, from whale watching (in season), scuba diving and snorkelling, sand tobogganing, alongside cultural sites with rich history. Perfect for a long weekend with the family, Moreton Island is an experience not to be missed. If you plan to travel to Moreton Island and need any 4WD products or accessories, orany extra camping gear, speak to TJM Australia by phoning 07 3865 9999. Alternatively, use their convenient store locator to find the TJM store closest to you.
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