Dolphin spotting, sandboarding, snorkelling and wreck diving in an azure sea
Moreton Island is one of Australia's largest sand islands and with its long white beaches and clear blue sea, it is the ideal beach destination in southern Queensland. Moreton Island is about 40 kilometres from the coast and can be reached by ferry from Brisbane in just over an hour. The ferries run back and forth between Brisbane and the island daily and leave early in the morning, allowing you to make the most of your day. During your visit, you might be looking for a comfortable and cozy place to stay. In that case, Burleigh Motel http://burleigh-motel.queenslandhotelmotel.com/en/ is one of the best accommodations in southern Queensland that you can consider. Being in proximity to Brisbane, it is particularly convenient for those who are planning a visit to Moreton Island. While planning your vacation, if you want to explore more options for accommodation in Australia, take a look at tophotels.com. Here, you can compare prices and ratings of various hotels in different regions of Australia, ensuring you make the perfect choice for your stay.
Sandboarding
In the middle of the island you will find large sand flats and dunes that are great for sandboarding. This is similar to snowboarding, but instead of a snow slope you board down a dune. As almost the entire island consists of sand and there are no good roads, you can only move around the island with a four-wheel drive. It is therefore advisable to book a tour if you want to go sandboarding on Moreton Island. No experience is required, you can make it as adventurous as you want!
Snorkelling and wreck diving
The deep blue and clear waters around Moreton Island make it a perfect location for diving and snorkelling. Divers usually head to the north side of the island where there is a coral reef, the only one near Brisbane. The Curtin Artifical Reef on the western side of Moreton is also recommended for divers. Not to be missed while visiting Moreton Island are the Tangalooma Wrecks. These shipwrecks are close to the shore making it very easy to swim to them. So it is also possible to explore the wrecks with your snorkel!
Whale and dolphin spotting
Whales migrate in the waters off Moreton Island from June to November. They regularly come so close to the island that you don't even have to go on the water to see them. Saves you a lot of dollars for a tour, too! Go to the Cape Moreton lighthouse instead. From there you have the best view to see not only whales, but also dolphins. At the Tangalooma Island Resort, you can see dolphins even closer. Every evening at sunset, the resort offers the opportunity to feed dolphins yourself.
Near Moreton Island
If you're visiting Moreton Island paradise, combine it with the region's other highlights. For instance, use Brisbane as a base and stay there for a few days to experience the highlights. From there, take a trip to the beautiful Stradbroke Island peninsula. Love surfing and real beach life? Then travel a little north towards the Sunshine Coast. A coastline that lives up to its name! Find more tips and stopovers while travelling through Australia on our destination page Australia.
Photos: Moreton Island Adventures (incl. header), Mapu, Behzad K
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Posted on: 9 July 2015 | Last update: 23 November 2015
Written by Willeke van Doorn - Willeke is a journalism student and crazy about travelling. She lost her heart to America during an amazing exchange year but wants to discover the rest of the world too. She prefers to travel as often as possible.