Explore Moreton Island
HANDY INFORMATION WHEN VISITING MORETON ISLAND See our FAQ's and the end of this page
|
MORETON ISLAND`S NATURAL FEATURES
By the end of 1855 the growing importance of the settlement at Brisbane resulted in greatly increased shipping activity.
The wreck of the ‘Venue’ and the ‘Phoebe Dunbar’ highlighted the need to provide navigational aids at the port entrance.
CAPE MORETON
On February 18, 1856 tenders were called for the erection of a lighthouse and keepers dwellings at Cape Moreton. The successful tender for 4,265 pounds included costs such as ‘employment for the bullock driver for six months at 4 pounds’.
The tower of the lighthouse was built from the local siliceous sandstone which was near the immediate site of the light and later from a hill about 500 metres to the North West. Contrary to popular belief, convict labor was not used on the construction but 35 trusted civil prisoners assisted the tradesman. The iron rings at the base of the tower (which you can still see) were for the pulleys which lifted the construction material and the lower windows were barred to prevent pilfering. Meanwhile the light mechanism consisting of a revolving lantern, the hand-wound mechanism to drive it and 21 oil lamps with reflectors had been built in London for the sum of 1419 pounds and shipped to the colony.
This light mechanism was the only catoptric (reflector) lighthouse system installed in Queensland, all other being dioptric (prismic).
The light mechanism arrived at Moreton Island on September 21 1856 along with 45 cases of machinery and a light smith, Thomas Hook. On the night of Saturday, February 14, 1857, the Moreton Lighthouse beamed out for the first time from the lonely tower on the Cape. It has done so every peacetime night since.
The Moreton Island lighthouse was the first off the Queensland coast.
Externally, the 23 metre high lighthouse has altered little in more than a century. Within its 60 centimetre thick sandstone walls, one significant change has been made – the original oil lamps and the clockwork mechanism which turned them on has been replaced by electric arcs and motors.
The lighthouse is not open to the public and camping is not permitted on the lighthouse reserve which is closed to traffic. Rocky Cape Moreton is a the only part of the island which is not pure sand. A bonus for visitors to the Cape are the breathtaking views west to the Glass House Mountains, north and east over the Pacific and south along Ocean Beach to North Stradbroke Island.
Cape Moreton now hosts a free visitor information centre which is run by Queensland Parks and Wildlife. It has a host of historical information on display and is open daily.
THE BLUE LAGOON
The Blue Lagoon south of Cape Moreton Lighthouse on Moreton Island is an area where the dunes have formed natural catchments for rainwater. This is a place of tranquil marshes, teeming wildlife, deep lakes, tangled heathlands, wild flowers and bungwall fern. Blue Lagoon on Moreton Island one of the largest of the islands lake and is filled with crystal clear water and ringed by pure white sand.
THE OCEAN BEACH
The Ocean Beach on the eastern shore of Moreton Island is 37 kilometres of wide, white sandy beach between the Pacific surf and the coastal dunes. Please travel on the sand and not the grassed areas and be sure to keep your speed limit to a maximum of 60 kilometres per hour over this area. The beach is an ever changing attraction and hazards such as rocks and washouts can make traveling any faster than this potentially dangerous.
Whilst the Ocean Beach offers excellent tailor and whiting fishing, it is a matter of finding the right gutter. Weather conditions play a big part and gutters can change from day to day.
THE DESERT
The Desert, one kilometre south-east of Tangalooma on Moreton Island, is appropriately named. These bare, white dunes with patches of colour are in stark contrast with the thick vegetation which surrounds them. Wind shapes and reshapes the dunes into sweeping crescents, smooth in parts, scored with parallel furrows in others.
The Desert is a popular place for visitors to try sand boarding. Basic Sand boards (which after much experimenting we found are the best!!) can be purchase at the Bulwer shop
REEDERS POINT
Reeders Point is located at the southern tip of Moreton Island just past the Kooringal Township.
This point is a beautiful spot with uninterrupted views from Moreton Island across to Stradbroke Island. It is very picturesque and a lovely place for a picnic and a swim, however, please take care of the changing currents.
MIDDLE ROAD
Middle Road consists of two one way tracks that run from the Western Beach across to the Eouthern Beach on Moreton Island. These tracks are approximately 7 kilometres in length and are clearly signed at both ends. Mt Tempest walking track can be found off middle road (in either direction) at about 1 kilometre from the ocean beach. Signage will show you where to go to get to the walking track and there is parking for 4WD vehicles in the track.
There are two opportunities to turn around on these tracks should you wish to change direction.
These tracks are quite bumpy and care needs to be takes through these areas. We recommend that you keep your vehicle in low range. Please note these tracks are not boarded.
THE BIG SANDHILLS
The Big Sandhills are 8.5 kilometeres north of Kooringal on Moreton Island. In places the dunes are up to 80 metres high. A walk through the dunes is a great way to test your endurance but please remember not to leave any rubbish behind and do not attempt to take your vehicle into this area.
THE SMALL SANDHILLS
The Small Sandhills are a belt of dunes which cuts right across Moreton Island from east to west. Six kilometers north of Kooringal on Moreton Island they are smaller but no less spectacular than their “big” brothers. A delightful area easily accessible from Kooringal, the small sand hills are an ideal location for a family day out. Once again, this pristine area is part of a Moreton Island National Park and vehicle access is not permitted.
TANGALOOMA WRECKS
The Tangalooma Wrecks on Moreton Island are just north of the Tangalooma Resort have been sunk offshore to give shelter for boat anchorage. Among the hulks are vessels which have seen service in Moreton Bay – the German built ‘Remora”, the dredges “Maryborough” and “Platypus”, the barges “Stingaree”, “Seal” and “Morwong” and the whale chaser “KOS I” The last of the Tangalooma wrecks – the Harbours and the Marine dredge “Echeneis” was positioned in 1984. Today the Tangalooma Wrecks on Moreton Island provide a safe haven for boats and good diving in depths from 2-10m. Even in this shallow water, the Tangalooma Wrecks attract an amazing amount of marine life, including wobbegongs, trevally, kingfish, yellowtail and lots of tropical fish. The occasional dolphin and turtle have also been seen in this area around the Tangalooma Wrecks on Moreton Island. |
.jpg) |
BULWER
Bulwer is the settlement located at the northern end of the west coast of Moreton Island was named after Edward Bulwer Lytton, a novelist playwright, British MP and Colonial Secretary 1858-59. From 1848 to 1909 the pilots who guided ships into Moreton Bay were based at Bulwer. In the past Bulwer boasted a protected anchorage formed by a string of sunken vessels. Originally in eight fathoms of water, the wrecks have long since been reclaimed by the shifting sands on Moreton Island.
COWAN COWAN
In 1899 a lighthouse was built at Cowan Cowan to act as an additional signal light to the Cape Moreton Lighthouse. The lighthouse no longer stands at Cowan Cowan Point, rumour has it that in the 1970`s it was destroyed by an out of control camp fire after some teenagers used the structure as shelter from the rain one night.
During both World Wars, Moreton Island was prepared to be the first line of defence in case of an attack on Brisbane from the sea. Cowan Cowan Point on Moreton Island was the main defence base during World War I. Few traces of the base remain because hundreds of metres of coastline in this area have been eroded over the years. During World War II up to 900 troops were stationed on Moreton Island. The main Encampments were at Cowan Cowan and Toompani Beach (Rous Battery) but in other places on Moreton Island the remains of forts and barbed wire entranglements are still to be found.
Cowan Cowan Township on Moreton Island is a small community which grew out of the original military installations for both world wars. A wartime relic still of interest is the major artillery piece which guarded the main shipping channel into Moreton Bay.
The beach in front of Cowan Cowan is closed to all traffic and provides a safe haven for beach goers, espically the kids without the danger from vehicles. It is a quiet township with easy access to a beach which is not accessible by vehicles. Cowan Cowan has no public facilities available and is a short drive to Tangalooma on Moreton Island.
TANGALOOMA RESORT
Every year schools of whales migrate along the Queensland coast. In 1952, a whaling station was opened at Tangalooma on Moreton Island. The whalers operated in an area which extended for about 250 kilometers north-east and south of Moreton Island. Usually two boats operated at one time assisted by a spotter plane.
In the first 10 years of operation, the whalers took up to 660 humpback whales in a year at Tangalooma. In 1962 when the total kill was only 68, the Tangalooma station closed.
Since the Tangalooma whaling station on Moreton Island ceased operation, the whale population has increased again and significant sighting have been made off Moreton Island an Tangalooma in recent years.
The Tangalooma Villas and other holiday accommodation was established on Moreton Island on the site of the former station and the flensing deck and floor have become part of the resort facilities.
Two of the original whale chasers at Tangalooma are still at Moreton Island. KOS I and KOS II are part of the Cowan artificial reef.
Daily activities at Tangalooma Resort
Coffee Shop
Beach Cafe for casual dining
Beauty salon
Tangalooma Resort operates a general store selling basic supplies which is open to the general public. You can purchase takeaway alcohol from the bar.
The resort is closed to the public after 6pm
Vehicle access is not available through Tangalooma Resort, but a bypass road exists immediately south of the Resort that connects with middle road, which comes out north of the Tangalooma wrecks
If you are looking to stay at Tangalooma Resort, in one of the Tangalooma Villas or apartments, check out the Holidays page on this website, so see the range of Tangalooma Villas we have available and what special packages on sale. You can contact and or book direct through the website or contact Lizzie on 07 34080099
.
KOORINGAL
Kooringal Township is located on the southern tip of Moreton Island. The original community Oolong, home for itinerant squatters, fisherman and a lighthouse was surveyed in the early part of the century. It`s location, Cloherty`s Peninsula (named for the original light keeper) was lost to the sea by erosion.
Kooringal was re-established in the last 1960`s around the site of the home of Mr Frank Day, the “grand old man of Moreton” who gave his name to Day`s Gutter.
Kooringal, meaning “by the water”, is Moreton Island’s largest township, home to approximately 150 houses. Kooringal is popular with holiday makers and Brisbane people who maintain weekend holiday homes. There is a number of holiday homes available for rent within Kooringal township on Moreton Island.
Unfortunately the general store, known at “The Gutter Bar” has closed
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS WHEN STAYING AT TANGALOOMA RESORT
Question: Can we use all the facilities at the resort?
Answer: Yes you can. What their guests pay for so do you and what their guests get for free, so do you.
The only thing you cannot do booking this accommodation, is feed the dolphins.
You can go and watch the feeding
You can purchase an eco tour ticket which includes dolphin feeding, subject to availability.
Question: What are check-in and check-out times?
Answer: Check-in time is 1pm and check-out time is 10am. If we can assist with a variance of these times we will.
Question: Is there a grocery shop at the resort?
Answer: Yes, it is open 7 days a week and carries a good range of food ,vegetables, snacks etc etc. Takeaway alcohol is available at the bar.
Question: Where can we park our 4WD and trailer?
Answer: Turn right off the MICAT, drive along the beach and into the sand track the leads to the resort. Follow the signs to car park and the area for trailers.
Question: Is linen included?
Answer: Yes, all linen supplied and the beds are made up.
Question: Can you hire a cot, high chairs etc?
Answer: Yes you can. Each cost $25/week or part there of( Add to charges as a sundry item )
Question: Can you hire DVD,s?
Answer: Yes, and they are available at the convenience shop
Question: Are there internet facilities?
Answer: Not in the accommodation, however there is an internet café near the bar.
Question: What cooking facilities are provided and is there a BBQ?
Answer Each villa has a convection microwave and gas cook top. Some villas have a BBQ on deck others use BBQs in common areas
Question: What are the dining options?
Answer: Coffee shop
Beach café for light meals and snacks
Tursiops restaurant for breakfast
Steakhouse restaurants and Tursiops buffet for dinner
Question: Where can we moor our boat?
Answer: Moorings are available by arrangement with the resort.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS WHEN STAYING AT COWAN COWAN or BULWER
Question: Being on solar power, are there any restrictions?
Answer: Yes. You cannot use appliances with a heating element, toasters, hair dryers etc. Turn off TV at the wall…do not leave on standby. Do not use washing machines in the afternoons and not at all if the weather is overcast. If you are not using the room, leave the lights off. Only flush toilets when necessary, this also saves water.
Question: Can we use all the facilities at Tangalooma resort?
Answer: Yes, you are welcome to use the resorts, including the restaurants, during the day.
Non resort guests are required to leave by 6pm
Question: What are check-in and check-out times?
Answer: Check-in time is 11am and check-out time is 10am. If we can assist with a variance of these times we will.
Question: Are fuel and groceries available on the island?
Answer: Yes, at Bulwer shop. It is open 7 days a week and carries a good range of food,vegetables, snacks etc etc. Takeaway alcohol, fuel and firewood and bait, is also available there.
Tangalooma resort also has a shop for groceries.
Question: Is linen included?
Answer: Linen is not included in the accommodation prices but can be arranged for $15/person (Add to charges as sundry item )
Question: Can you hire a cot, high chairs etc?
Answer: Yes you can. Each cost $25/week or part there of( Add to charges as a sundry item )
Question: Can you hire DVD,s?
Answer: Yes, and they are available at the Bulwer shop
Question: Are there internet facilities?
Answer: Not in the accommodation, but you can mobile broadband reception. Alternatively, there is an internet café at Tangalooma
Question: What cooking facilities are provided and is there a BBQ?
Answer Each property has a gas cook top and oven and all have BBQ,s.
Question: Where can we moor our boat?
Answer: There are no moorings available a Bulwer.
At Cowan Cowan, you can use the moorings maintained by the residence association. Contact Phill Watt ph 340900099
