Moreton Island: Day Trips and Tours from Brisbane

One of Australia's best-kept secrets, Moreton Island boasts crystal-clear waters, white sandy beaches and abundant wildlife. Blessed by year-round warm weather, it's the perfect place to escape from the hustle and bustle of city life.

Whether you're looking for a romantic getaway or a family vacation, Moreton Island has something for everyone! From snorkeling with dolphins to kayaking around its stunning coastline, there are plenty of activities and adventures to experience on this subtropical paradise.

As the third largest sand island in the world, a Moreton Island day trip from Brisbane promises relaxation, privacy and adventure all in one.

Here's all you need to know about Moreton Island, one of the most exciting day trips from Brisbane.

How to get to Moreton Island From Brisbane?

Moreton Island is located in the southeast of Queensland, just off the coast of Brisbane, Australia's third-largest city.

Despite being an island with no connecting roads, there are still several ways to get to Moreton Island from Brisbane, making it an easy and convenient day trip from Brisbane.

From Brisbane to Moreton Island by car

To get to Moreton Island from Brisbane by car, you'll need to drive to the  Port Of Brisbane at Howard Smith Drive. Once there, take your car on the Micat ferry. The journey takes approximately 90 minutes.

Schedules are based on demand, so be sure to book in advance. Note that Moreton Island only has sand-based roads, so a 4WD car is essential.

Guided tour to Moreton Island From Brisbane

The easiest and most convenient way to get to Moreton Island from Brisbane is by taking a guided tour. Most companies offer day trips that include return ferry transfers, lunch, and activities like snorkeling and kayaking in the crystal-clear waters of Moreton Bay.

These tours typically depart from the city center or your hotel and take you straight to Tangalooma on the island. This is an ideal option for those who want to explore Moreton Island without worrying about transportation or car rental.

What is the typical itinerary?

The most common itinerary for a Moreton Island day trip from Brisbane includes starts with convenient pickup from your hotel or the city center, followed by a ferry transfer to Tangalooma on the island.

The transfer takes around 75 to 90 minutes, during which your guide will provide interesting information about the island and its history.

Once you arrive at Tangalooma, you'll usually start your day of exploring in an air-conditioned 4-wheel drive vehicle. The first part of the journey is usually a drive along the sand to the Tangalooma Wrecks, where you can take a dip in the crystal-clear waters or snorkel around the sunken shipwrecks.

From there, you'll usually continue on your tour of Moreton Island's incredible coastline, with stops for lunch and other activities like sandboarding, kayaking, sand dune jeep tour, or simply relaxing on the sand.

You'll also have the chance to spot some of Moreton Island's native wildlife, such as dolphins, turtles and birds.

At the end of your day trip, you'll often be taken back to Tangalooma for a ferry transfer back to Brisbane. Most tour operators will drop you off at your hotel or the city center.

Each tour differs slightly, however, rest assured that sand, sea and sightseeing are all part of the trip.

What kinds of tours are available to go to Moreton Island?

There are several different types of tours available for Moreton Island day trips from Brisbane. Which you book depending on your interests, time allowance and budget. The most common options are listed below.

Guided day tours to Moreton Island from Brisbane

This is the most popular option for first-time Moreton Island visitors. Starting with a ferry ride from Brisbane, these tours typically include lunch, a variety of activities like snorkeling, sandboarding, 4-wheel driving on sand dunes and kayaking, as well as wildlife spotting.

2-Day tour to Moreton Island from Brisbane

Suited to travelers wanting a more comprehensive experience of Moreton Island, these tours typically include two days of activities and sightseeing. Highlights can include the Tangalooma Wrecks, Blue Lagoon, Cape Moreton Lighthouse, Honeyeater Lake and Bulwer Hill Lookout, to name a few.

Day trip to Moreton Island with scuba diving from Brisbane

For adventurers looking for a more action-packed experience, this tour combines all the highlights of a typical day trip, with an additional session(s) of scuba diving.

The dive site is located just off Tangalooma and includes colorful coral gardens, shipwrecks and underwater wildlife such as sea turtles. Both beginners and certified divers are welcome.

Day tour to Moreton Island with dolphin feeding from Brisbane

A surefire hit for traveling families, this kind of tour includes a ferry transfer to Tangalooma, lunch and activities like kayaking or sandboarding. But the highlight of this tour is the opportunity to hand-feed wild dolphins during an exclusive session, usually at dusk.

How much does a day trip to Moreton Island from Brisbane cost?

The price of a Moreton Island day tour starts at around US$120 but varies depending on the length, operator and activities included. Generally, guided 1-day tours cost between US$100 and US$180, while 2-day tours to Moreton Island from Brisbane cost between US$200 and US$240 person.

Day trips to Moreton Island with scuba diving generally cost around US$180 each, while those featuring dolphin feeding cost around US$150.

What will you see and do?

What you will see and do on a Moreton Island day trip from Brisbane depends on the tour you book. However, the typical activities and sights include:

A ferry ride from Brisbane to Tangalooma

On board the ferry, you can take in the spectacular views of Moreton Bay and surrounding islands.

Exploring the Tangalooma Wrecks

During a boat tour to Tangalooma Wrecks, take a dip or snorkel around these 15 sunken ships, which are now part of an artificial reef system that's home to coral and marine life. Five on the vessels sunk in 1963, five in the 1970s and the rest in the 1980s – since then,  they’ve become an iconic attraction in Moreton Bay.

Sand boarding

Moreton Island is home to several sand dunes, including the massive Mount Tempest. At 285 meters above sea level, it's considered the highest coastal sand dune in the world. Places like these are great spots for sand boarding, quad biking or four-wheel driving with experienced guides.

Tangalooma Island Resort

An excellent place to relax and unwind, the resort includes a variety of facilities such as bars, restaurants and swimming pools. It also offers activities like kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding and glass-bottom boat tours.

Wildlife spotting

The island is a haven for native wildlife, so keep your eyes peeled as you explore and you may spot some of the stunning array of wildlife such as wallabies, koalas and dolphins.

Cape Moreton Lighthouse

A popular landmark in Moreton Island, standing 122 meters above sea level, the lighthouse is a great spot to take in spectacular views of the ocean and surrounding islands. It's found at the northern end of Moreton Island and dates back to 1857

Dolphin feeding

The highlight of some tours is feeding wild dolphins during an exclusive session at dusk - a truly incredible experience!

Hiking

Join a hiking excursion, as there are several notable walking tracks on the island, including Honeyeater Lake and Bulwer Hill Lookout. Most of them are suitable for all fitness levels and offer stunning views of Moreton Bay.

The Tangalooma Beach Circuit takes about an hour and it is one of the easiest hiking routes.

On the flip side, if you're up for a challenge, the 90-minute-long Mount Tempest Track stretches close to 4 kilometers as it makes its way up the hill. At the top, you're rewarded with an excellent vista of Moreton Island and the Pacific Ocean beyond.

When is the best time to visit Moreton Island?

Generally, the best time to visit Moreton Island is during summer and autumn (December to April), when the days are longest.

Brisbane, Queensland and Moreton Island are blessed  with a sub-tropical climate all year round, so it's no surprise that they are popular destinations throughout the year.

What are the other day trips from Brisbane?

• Gold Coast day trips from Brisbane
• Mount Tamborine day tours from Brisbane
• Stradbroke Island day trips from Brisbane
• Day trips to Fraser Island from Brisbane
• Bribie Island day tours from Brisbane
• Day tours to Glow Worm Cave from Brisbane

Travel tips

• The roads on  Moreton Island are mostly unpaved, so it's important to rent (or choose a tour with) a suitable vehicle.
• Be sure to arrive at your meeting point at least 15 minutes early. While other day tours are slightly flexibly, Moreton Island day trips revolve around set ferry schedules.
• Be prepared for all weather conditions, as the island is very exposed to the elements.
• Pack plenty of water and sunscreen — and don't forget your camera!