Moreton Island

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Moreton Island, also known as Mulgumpin, is a large sandy island in Moreton Bay, off the coast of South East Queensland, Australia. The Coral Sea is to its east, and it lies about 58 kilometres northeast of Brisbane.

Key facts
- Size and shape: about 186 square kilometres in area, 44 km long and 13 km wide. The highest point is Mount Tempest at 280 metres.
- Landscape: famous for vast sand dunes; it’s the third largest sand island in the world and, with nearby K’gari, forms the largest sand structure on earth. Cape Moreton is the island’s rocky north-eastern tip.
- Climate: one of Brisbane’s wettest areas, with year‑round rain and warm, humid summers.

People and places
- Traditional owners: the Ngugi people.
- Main settlements: Bulwer (north-west), Cowan Cowan (west), Kooringal (south-west), and the western side around Moreton Island’s main area. Tangalooma is a well-known resort area on the western shore.
- The island has several lighthouses, reflecting its long maritime history.

Nature and history
- Most of the island (about 98%) is in Moreton Island National Park, managed for conservation. Camping, four-wheel driving, and many outdoor activities are popular with visitors.
- Notable sites include Blue Lagoon, Honeyeater Lake, Dolphin Lake, and Lake Trusiak. The central area has large sand dunes and dune formations.
- History highlights: a whaling station operated at Tangalooma (1952–1962). World War II defenses were built on the island. Mining for mineral sands occurred but was eventually halted.
- In 2019, the Quandamooka people were granted native title to Mulgumpin, and the island’s management includes joint stewardship with the Quandamooka Yoolooburrabee Aboriginal Corporation.
- A major oil spill from the container ship MV Pacific Adventurer in 2009 affected parts of the coast nearby.

Getting there and getting around
- Access is by ferry or barge from Brisbane or nearby coastal towns. The island has no sealed roads; four-wheel-drive vehicles are typically required to explore, and you need a permit to drive on the island.
- There are airstrips at Cowan Cowan and near Tangalooma, and a separate airstrip at Kooringal.
- The Amity Point service to North Stradbroke Island ended in 2009; the Amity Trader barge now serves the route to Amity Point.

Activities
- Popular activities include camping, sand‑tobogganing, snorkeling and diving, bird watching, dolphin feeding, whale watching, fishing, and parasailing.

Notes
- The island is a protected natural area with sensitive environments, so visitors should follow park rules and obtain the necessary permits.