RentaRig - Moreton Island 4WD Hire Surf and Beach Adventure

This is a great holiday for those that love the beach, pristine forest , surfing and fishing. The waters around Moreton are great for free-diving and exploring, you will most likely see turtles and dolphins enjoying the crystal blue waters. On one side you have the sheltered waters of Moreton bay and on the western side the magnificent white sands of the surf beach. Best of all it's only a few hours from Brisbane and you are there !
When you hire one of our 4wd hire vehicles for Moreton Island we also supply an air compressor, tyre guage and recovery gear suitable for sand driving on Moreton Island.

Day 1: Brisbane to Moreton Island

Moreton Island - Image courtesy of Tourism Queensland

Pick up your rig from Rent-A-Rig in Brisbane and get a thorough briefing on your rig's features and equipment. The vehicle barge service to Moreton Island, departs from Lytton. Be sure to book your vehicle ferry in advance. The vehicle ferries take about two hours and arrive on the western side of the island at Tangalooma or Bulwer.

Tangalooma Wild Dolphin Resort is the main resort on the island. If you prefer to camp in the national park, or stay in rented holiday accommodation, then head up the west side of the island on the beach road to the camping areas, or the tiny township of Bulwer. Limited accommodation is available but must be booked in advance.

Bush camping is available at Ben-Ewa, Blue Lagoon, Comboyuro, Eagers Creek and The Wrecks. Beach camping is also possible. Campgrounds are at Ben-Ewa and The Wrecks. You can also camp on the beach at existing sites, except as signed.

Take your time traversing the western beach road (track), and spend the rest of the day at leisure and setting up camp, or return back to Tangalooma for the night if you prefer.

Tangalooma's history dates back to the mid-20th century when it was originally set up as a whaling station. Remnants of, and historical details about the whaling station can still be seen at the resort today.

Moreton Island offers a range of camping experiences from established campgrounds to remote beach camping. You can camp in the 5 campgrounds and 4 camping zones along the beach. All campsites are marked with a totem.

Camping permits are required and fees apply. A tag with your booking number must be displayed at your campsite at all times.

Food, fuel and ice can be purchased on the island at Bulwer or Kooringal, or at Tangalooma - however, provisions are limited and quite expensive.

Days 2-4: Enjoying the beach

Take a couple of days to ease into the experience enjoying your remote campsite, the beautiful beaches. There are amazing walks through the national park and the beaches are ideal for fishing.

Moreton Island is a sand island with the highest coastal sandhill in the world at the height of 280 metres, Mt Tempest. The Island occupies 17,000 hectares of land, and is mostly National Park, lush forests, and glistening lakes and lagoons. The swampy regions are towards the north of the island with the 'desert' being towards the south. Evidence of Aboriginal inhabitance can be seen on the island. The first European settlers arrived in 1848. Moreton Island was also home to Queensland's only whaling station, which operated from 1952 to 1962 at Tangalooma.

Day 5: Tangalooma to Cape Moreton

Moreton Island - Image courtesy of Tourism Queensland There is an abundance of wildlife on Moreton Island. Many wading birds can be found on the Island, in particular between September and April. Keep an eye out for Green and Loggerhead Turtles which nest between November-February each year. You can also see Dolphins, Dugongs, and Humpback Whales. Head north to Bulwer and take the track across the island to explore the clear blue lakes, enjoy a refreshing swim at the Blue Lagoon, and then continue further north along the eastern beach road to the most northerly point of the island at North Point and Cape Moreton. The views from the lighthouse at Cape Moreton are spectacular, and if you're lucky you may spot a humpback whale or two (during whale season from about August to October each year). The sand tracks make driving quite slow, so take your time exploring and enjoy the adventure along the way.

Take a picnic with you and stop for lunch at one of the scenic spots on the way, or at the lighthouse. Head back via the tiny townships of Bulwer and Cowan Cowan to Tangalooma for the night, or back to camp.

If you return to Tangalooma prior to sunset, join in the wild dolphin feeding at the jetty at Tangalooma. National Parks organises a feeding session for the dolphins every afternoon; costs apply and you are not allowed to touch the dolphins. Anyone can watch from the beach and take photos.

About the Drive

Duration: 2 hrs
Distance: 47 kms
Road Conditions: Sand track, 4WD only

Day 6: Moreton Island to Brisbane

After enjoying a leisurely breakfast, head out to explore one of the main attractions on the island - the massive sand dunes of Mount Tempest and 'The Desert'. Mount Tempest (280m) is possibly the world's highest stable sandhill. Alternatively, take an organised tour from Tangalooma, and learn about the local history and native flora and fauna, and sand toboggan down a large sandhill. This is an experience not to be missed, and great fun! You are provided with a board and instructions to speed down the side of the sandhill. Make sure you close all pockets, leave valuables behind, and close your mouth on the way down! The only hard part is the difficult trek up the side of the steep sandhill, but the ride down is definitely worth it!!

If time allows, enjoy a walk across from The Desert, or drive across to the east coast of the island via the Middle Road and enjoy the smooth beach drive along the 26km surf beach. Beware of tides, and the open sea can get very rough on this side. Walking trails also include the Big Sandhills and Little Sandhills where you will see various lakes and wildlife.

Drive back to Tangalooma or Bulwer to board your (pre-booked) vehicle ferry to Brisbane.

Alternative Accomodation Options

If you would like to add a little luxury to your Moreton Island escape there is a range of accomodation options available on Moreton Island.

Tangalooma Villas 5, 14, 20 and 36, are four privately owned villas, located within the Tangalooma Wild Dolphin Resort. Each of the four luxurious and comfortable villas sleeps up to 8 people, and are located right on the beach at Tangalooma. For more information Call or email Nigel or Gwen enquiries@tangaloomavillas.com , (02) 95549000 or 0407 407 895.