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Moreton Island is situated 40km's
from Brisbane, the island is 38km long, and 9km across
at its widest point and covers 185 sq. km. Moreton is
one he largest sand islands in the world and forms much
of the eastern side of Moreton Bay.
Tall sand dunes, miles of sandy
beaches, crystal clear creeks and lagoons, coastal
heath, rocky headlands and abundant wildflowers make
Moreton Island a jewel in Moreton Bay.
Most of Moreton Island is both national park and
recreation area, which covers the national park and
beaches to low water mark. Tidal wetlands and waters
around the island are protected as part of Moreton
Bay Marine Park.
The sheltered bay waters are home to various
marine animals. Dugong feed on its seagrass
communities while migratory and resident shorebirds
feed and roost on the island's beaches. Humpback
whales can be seen from Cape Moreton during their
migration from June to November.
Moreton Island has a complex and fragile ecology
with many plants and animals adapted to the low
nutrient sandy soils and "tea-tree"-stained, acidic
waters. The island's shape is always changing in
response to the ocean currents and winds. The
development of Mirapool — from a series of islands
to its current form as a large lagoon — is a good
example of how quickly the sand environment can
change.
The Moreton Bay Marine Park — declared in 1993
for its important natural, cultural, recreational
and economic values to Queensland — surrounds the
island. Moreton Island is also part of the
southern Queensland sand mass which includes the
Cooloola coast, and islands of Fraser, Bribie and North
Stradbroke.
The island consists entirely of sand
apart from a small area of sandstone and rhyolite at
Cape Moreton. Several different dune types, of
differing ages are recognised by their form and soil
development. Mt. Tempest is considered the highest
coastal sand dune in the world at 285m.
One of the striking features of Moreton
Island are the bare sand areas. The northern west
coastline is dominated by a large sand-slip named
"Yellow Patch" and the bare sand hills behind Tangalooma
are a major tourist attraction.
Indigenous cultural heritage includes
shell middens that are evidence of thousands of years of
Aboriginal occupation. Ruins of coastal defence bases
from World War II are a reminder of Australia's
involvement in world conflict.
European settlement began in 1848 with a
pilot station at Bulwer. Following several shipping
disasters in the South Passage area, the northern
channel became the main route to Brisbane.
Land sales started in 1863, and though a
few cottages were built on the western side, most of the
island was left to a few fisherman and oyster farmers.
Goats and pigs were introduced in 1865
to provide food for shipwrecked sailors.
Cape Moreton lighthouse was the first
lighthouse made from local sandstone and still operates
today: By 1920, five more lighthouses were built,
though only two now operate.
The Lighthouse Cape
Moreton
In 1890 a telegraph line was built down
the island to link Bulwer with Amity Point on North Stradbroke Island.
Between 1952 and 1962, Tangalooma
operated a whaling station processing about 600 whales a
year, mostly humpback. When the whaling station closed,
the buildings were redeveloped into what now is
Tangalooma Resort.
From 1947 to 1992 small areas of Moreton
Island were mined but, mining operations ceased when
leases were relinquished and the lands were added to the
national park.
Freshwater Lakes
As the water table beneath the Island fills with rain
water the swamps and creeks flourish with large lakes
being formed.
Blue Lagoon is an excellent swimming spot. It is also
great for wild flower displays and bird watching.
The Sand Hills are awe inspiring mountains of
pure white sand. The bare sand dunes provide the slopes
for an exhilarating toboggan.
The Desert is a major sand blow reached by either 4wd
or a scenic walking track.
Mount Tempest is a vegetated sand hill in the
centre of the island. It is the highest sandhill in the
world. It is approximately 280m above sea level.
It makes a challenging climb but is well worth the
effort for the view of the Island is breath-taking.
The heath lands viewed from Mount Tempest are
dominated by Banksia and Grass Trees.
Open Forest
The Scribbly Gum and Pink Bloodwood dominate Moreton's
extensive forests. As the soils are low in nutrient,
trees and shrubs rely on the efficient recycling of
surface nutrients for food.
Wild Flowers
Wild flowers are at their best in spring with beautiful
displays along the tracks.
Wildlife
The foreshores and tidal areas are rich in marine life
supporting many resident wading birds.
Between September and April, Moreton plays host to
thousands of migrating birds from the Arctic tundra,
eastern Siberia and other parts of the Northern
Hemisphere.
Dunes
Spinifex grass and other salt resistant ground cover
plants, which are vital preventing erosion and nesting
birds, protect the sand dunes.
Blue Lagoon |
