Moreton Island

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Moreton Island is the island in the top-right of this satellite image

Moreton Island from above the waters of Moreton Bay

Moreton Island is a large sand island on the eastern side of Moreton Bay, on the coast of south-east Queensland, Australia. The island covers an area of approximately 170 square kilometres, and extends for 38 kilometres from north to south. Moreton Island lies 40 kilometres east of the Queensland capital, Brisbane.

Moreton Island is 98% National Park in Queensland, Australia, 58 km northeast of Brisbane.

1 Fact sheet
2 Geology
3 Topography
4 History
5 Recreation
6 Trivia
7 See also
8 Reference
9 Notes
10 External links

[edit] Fact sheet

Area: 168.00 km²
Coordinates: 27°03′09″S, 153°23′28″E
Date of establishment: 1966
Managing authorities: Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service
IUCN category: II

[edit] Geology

Cape Moreton, at the north eastern tip of the island, is the only rock outcrop on the island. It was named Cape Morton by Captain James Cook in May 1770, and was at that time assumed to be part of the mainland. The current spelling came about because of a clerical error later.

The southern tip of Moreton Island and the narrow gap of sea north of North Stradbroke Island

Large sand cliff showing sand rivers running

[edit] Topography

Most of the island is contained within the Moreton Island National Park. The highest point on the island is named Mount Tempest, which, at 278 metres, is reputedly the highest coastal sand dune in the world.

[edit] History

During World War II, a number of defense installations were installed on the island by the Royal Australian Navy and Australian Army. These sites included anti aircraft guns and mine control buildings. Their purpose was to protect the approaches to the port of Brisbane.

Between 1952 and 1962, Tangalooma, on the western side of the island, was the site of Queensland's only whaling station, with humpback whales being harvested on their annual migration north. The site of the whaling station is now the Tangalooma Wild Dolphin Resort. The flensing deck of the station still exists as part of the resort. The island is nowadays an attractive site for whale watching.

[edit] Recreation

On Moreton Island, there are many activities to enjoy. For example, you can feed dolphins, snorkel in shipwrecks and parasail. Camping and four wheel driving is permitted and possible in many parts, with the appropriate fee. Motor vehicle access is by ferry, but is for four wheel drive vehicles only, as there are no sealed roads on the island.

There are more very large sand islands to the south, Stradbroke Island and North Stradbroke Island, and to the north; Bribie Island and Fraser Island (reputed to be the largest sand island on planet earth).

[edit] Trivia

Moreton Island has no kangaroos or wallabies unlike North Stradbroke Island.
A salt-water lagoon on the island was used as a temporary home to a dugong called Pig. Pig was the youngest dugong ever successfully reared in captivity ^[1]. The dugong was placed in the lagoon to increase its natural instincts before being released into the wild.