Things to do on Moreton Island
Walking
There are many walking tracks on the island, ranging from short easy strolls to half-day hikes. Walking is one of the best ways to appreciate the island's features and discover some of the various wildlife habitats. Take care when walking over sandblows or up steep sections of tracks, particularly on hot days.
Take care of yourself - carry a map, compass, food, drinking water and first-aid kit. Wear protective clothing, hat, sunscreen, sunglasses and insect repellent.
Blue Lagoon - 500m return (Allow 20 minutes) Grade: Easy
The track winds through heathland to the dune sandblow on the lake. Blue Lagoon is a window lake, created where the watertable is exposed at the land surface. Access to Blue Lagoon is from the ocean beach, north of the Bulwer-Blue Lagoon track. Toilets are located before you reach the carpark.
Honeyeater Lake - 60m return (Allow 5 minutes) Grade: Easy
Enjoy a short stroll to a viewing platform looking over this perched lake - created when water collects in a depression with a solid bottom which prevents rainwater filtering down to the watertable. Honeyeater Lake, a good place to see a variety of waterbirds, is surrounded by the sounds of the honeyeaters feeding on banksia flowers. Musk ducks are occasional visitors and are sometimes seen on the lake. You can view the lake from a platform located near the carpark.
Cape Moreton - 1.5km return (Allow 1 hour) Grade: Moderate
See Queensland's first lighthouse, built in 1857 of island sandstone. Access into the lighthouse, the grounds and the lighthouse keeper's wife's grave is not permitted, however Cape Moreton is a good viewing point for watching marine life. See whales (June - November), dolphins, sharks and turtles as well as magnificent island scenery. The walk up the hill can be very hot in summer.
The Desert - 4km circuit (Allow 2 hours) Grade: Moderate
Walk along a track from the western beach south of the resort, over a large sand dune, and watch for wildlife that lives in this harsh environment. This walk has many steps and a moderate level of fitness is required.
Five Hills lookout - 1km return (Allow 30 minutes) Grade: Moderate
From North Point Road the track heads up through low heathland to the top of a large sand dune. Do this walk in the cooler part of the day. You'll be rewarded with views of Heath Island, the Five Hills area and some of the island's coastal swamps.
Mount Tempest lookout - 2.5km return (Allow 2 hours) Grade: Difficult
Walk up Mount Tempest - the highest sand dune on the island, 280m in elevation. Expect many steps. Seats are provided along the way and at the lookout. After your steep climb, be rewarded with 360-degree views of the island, Moreton Bay Marine Park and, on a clear day, the Glass House Mountains. Read about Moreton Island's indigenous people - the Dolphin clans. This walk is best done in the cooler part of the day or in winter. Take plenty of water.
Telegraph Road - 16km return (Allow 6 hours) Grade: Difficult
Discover interesting habitats and relics of the old telegraph line. The track goes through several vegetation types including heathland and eucalypt woodland. Look out for the perched swamp found on top of the dune ridge. In spring, the track is lined with heathland flowers. This long track is best walked in winter and spring, or in the early morning during summer. A one-way walk option is to arrange to be dropped off at the end of the Bulwer-Blue Lagoon Road and walk through to Mount Tempest, meeting your lift at the Mount Tempest carpark.
Rous Battery track - 9.8km one-way (Allow 3.5 hours each way) Grade: Moderate
See the remnants of a World War II fort scattered around the dunes. The walk follows the old Rous Battery service road. This is the only walk on the southern end of the island. You'll wander through scribbly gum forest and patches of the green, feathery ground plant called foxtails (Caustis blakei). Always carry sufficient drinking water. Bore water is available along the track near the ocean beach but should be treated before use.
Guided tours and talks
Commercially operated guided tours are available; see the local tourism information centre for more information.
Boating and fishing
Moreton Island is surrounded by Moreton Bay Marine Park, a multiple use marine protected area, which protects the high natural, cultural, recreational and amenity values of the bay. Two conservation zones adjacent to Moreton Island add greater protection to sensitive areas.
North Moreton Island conservation zone includes Heath Island Lagoon which provides a critical high tide roost site for shorebirds and supports a high density of soldier crabs.
Peel Island-South Passage conservation zone includes extensive seagrass beds which provide significant habitat for turtles, dugong and benthic invertebrates. The zone also contains shallow sandbanks, which are exposed at low tide and provide significant low tide feeding sites and high tide roost sites for shorebirds.
In these conservation zones, jet skis and similar motorised personal watercraft are only permitted within navigation channels. No trawling is permitted. See the Moreton Bay Marine Park map for boundaries.
Tailor, flathead, dart, bream and whiting are often caught on the beaches and headlands. Reef and surface-feeding fish are caught offshore. Crabs are seasonal. Bag limits and size limits apply to some species. For more information about recreational fishing rules and regulations see the Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries.
- When fishing, keep fish, bait and burley in sealed containers away from wildlife.
- Bury fish remains and unused bait just below high tide mark. Dig a deep hole and cover scraps with at least 50cm of sand.
- Dispose of used bait bags and unwanted fishing line in bins or take them home.
- Fish cleaning is prohibited in all campgrounds and camping areas.
- All freshwater fish are protected on Moreton Island. Fishing or collecting bait in lakes and streams is not permitted.
- When boating over seagrass beds, take it easy and go slow for those below.
Spearfishing is prohibited within the waters of the artificial reef area off Moreton Island. Approximate reef boundaries extend from Tangalooma Point to Comboyuro Point, with a 700m offshore boundary out from the beach. For more information see the Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries.
Viewing wildlife
Moreton Island provides great opportunities to view wildlife. Over 180 species of birds, including seabirds, waders, forest birds and birds of prey, can be seen. Avoid disturbing shorebirds on the beach by giving them a wide berth. Forty species of reptiles have been recorded on the island including blue-tongued lizards, goannas, major skinks, various snakes and marine turtles. Take care not to disturb nesting turtles in summer. Keep clear of any sea snakes washed up onto the beaches, and report them to rangers.
The island has a rich array of plant communities from stunted heathlands to open eucalypt forests. Freshwater lakes, creeks and swamps provide havens for frogs and native fish. For panoramic views of the island's plant life and Moreton Bay take a walk up Mount Tempest. Cape Moreton is a good viewpoint for watching marine life such as whales (from June to November), dolphins, sharks and turtles.
Snorkelling and diving
The waters around Moreton Island provide a chance to explore some marine life, with a number of well-known snorkelling and scuba diving sites. Tangalooma Wrecks and Flinders Reef provide good snorkelling and diving. Curtin artificial reef is also popular with divers. Strong rips and currents are often present; check local site information when planning your trip. Always take care in the water and never swim, snorkel or dive alone. There are no patrolled beaches and no measures to protect swimmers from sharks around Moreton Island.