Moreton Island is the gem of south-east Queensland

Peter ‘Spida’ Everitt and his wife Sheree (who you might know from The Great Australian Doorstep TV show) run fully escorted motorhome convoy tours in Australia, New Zealand, USA, Canada and Alaska. Here, Spida takes us to Moreton Island, south-east Queensland.

Take the big blue ocean path across Moreton Bay from Brisbane in Queensland’s south-east and you’ll hit Moreton Island. If you are wanting to explore beaches, starry night skies and experience unique adventures this gem is the place to be. Moreton Island delivers amazing scenery, massive sand dunes, crystal lakes, tropical forests, pictureque beaches and a single lighthouse high on the point. If you name it, Moreton Island has it!

Together with Fraser Island, Moreton Island forms the largest sand structure in the world. It is a protected island and perfect for a much-needed relaxing holiday or four-wheel drive adventure. Only 25 kilometres off Brisbane’s shore, Moreton Island is quickly being discovered as an unspoilt paradise for people wanting to relax, go fishing and enjoy nature. This is a place where the crashing of the waves sets the pace of your day and a great place to turn your phone off.

You can travel to Moreton Island by ferry, barge or boat. Barges and ferries for vehicles and passengers depart daily. If you’re not taking a vehicle, you can book your island destination point and book the ferry or barge from the corresponding departure point.

We took our 4WD Isuzu MU-X, which was awesome on the sandy roads. It even made it up to the lighthouse.

Moreton Island has camping sites dotted all around for travellers to enjoy. In addition to camping, there is always a stay at the luxurious Tangaloom Island Resort or you could hire a beach house or other accommodation available on sites like AirBnB.

Tangalooma Island Resort is stunning. It is located right on the lagoon and caters for all sorts of activities, making it a fantastic destination for families as well as those just looking for some rest and relaxation.

You can learn from the Eco Rangers at the Marine Education Centre, relax at the beachside massage hut, stock up on essentials, or lie in the amazing surroundings. You can also take your pick of four restaurants and three bars to enjoy day and night.

We spent two nights at the resot and could have easily spent more time here. Our kids had a ball with the many activities they could try, and we found the staff to be fantastic!

One activity you shouldn’t pass up is the opportunit to snorkel around the shipwrecks. The Tangalooma wrecks are world famous, located right on the doorstep of the Tangalooma Island Resort. The wrecks are home to a  large variety of different species of reef fish, coral formations and marine life. The waters around Moreton Island are crystal clear and the sand is incredibly white, making it great for snorkeling and scuba diving.

If you are a 4WD enthusiast like I am, Moreton Island won’t disappoint. The roads are all sand, which makes for plenty of adventure as you explore the island. Four-wheel driving around the island also allows you to meet other adventurers and adrenalin junkies. It’s a lot of fun helping someone who gets themselves stuck in the sand.

Of course, if you don’t have a 4WD, it’s not a problem. You can take advantage of the 4WD taxis and Tangalooma has its own ‘cat’ that runs between Moreton Island and Brisbane.

Next time you’re travelling the Bruce or Pacific highways, consider breaking up your journey with a long weekend on Moreton Island.

Travel tips

• There are shops for general grocery items at Kooringal, Bulwer and Tangalooma.
• There are no banks on Moreton Island, but the Bulwer store and Tangalooma Island Resort have EFTPOS facility. The Tangalooma Island Resort also has ATM facilities.

Fast facts

• While Captain James Cook named the main headland on the island Cape Morton in May 1770, it was at that time assumed to be part of the mainland. The current spelling came about because of a clerical error later.
• Up to 300 Aboriginal cultural sites have been recorded on the island and include shell and bone scatters, large shell middens and a stone quarry.

The Great Australian Doorstep is on Channel 7Two on Saturday afternoons, or tune in to the radio show every weekend across the TripleM and FlowFM networks – 68 stations, Australia-wide.