Enjoy nice views of the Bay from Moreton Island
The tropical islands of Moreton Bay lay just 25 kilometers from Brisbane’s city center. Sheltered from the Pacific Ocean by four sand islands, the bay is home to a wide variety of marine life, including the endangered and intriguing dugong.
Bribie Island in the north is separated from the mainland by the Pumicestone Passage, a shallow water channel that is a magnet for bird and sea life. It’s possible to spot dugongs feeding on the seagrass at the bottom of the passage, as well as dolphins, turtles and numerous birds. While the island has been heavily urbanised in the south, most of it remains uninhabited and a protected National Park.
Moreton Island is the second largest sand island in the world. There are no roads here, just wide expanses of sand, so you’ll need to hire a 4WD to get around. If you do you’ll be rewarded with deserted beaches, towering sand dunes, freshwater lagoons, lakes and birdlife. There’s diving and snorkeling at the Tangalooma Wrecks on the western coast and a chance to feed wild dolphins if you stay as a guest at the Tangalooma Wild Dolphin Resort.
‘Straddie’ (North Stradbroke Island) is a much-loved spot for vacationing Queenslanders. Fringed by white sand beaches on its eastern side and more rugged outcrops to the north, it’s no exaggeration to say that it is possible to swim, surf and see whales pass by all on the same day. The three main towns on the island are transformed during the Australian summer months from sleepy villages into major tourist towns.
South Stradbroke Island was once joined to North Stradbroke Island before a storm split them into two in 1896. It appears all the wallabies became marooned on the island after the split as South Stradbroke is home to hundreds of the cheeky critters. Small and close to the mainland, South Stradbroke is popular with campers and holidaymakers who come to explore the rainforest, wetlands and wildlife. The eastern beaches are known for their excellent surf.
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