Moreton Island Transport
Visiting Moreton Island by Foot and/or Vehicle
The "MICAT", operated by Moreton Island Adventures, offers a daily service from The Port of Brisbane to the Tangalooma Wrecks on Moreton Island. Travelling time is 75 minutes each way. See Micat for their timetable and pricing for all services.
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View MICAT Car Ferry To Moreton Island in a larger map |
Visiting Moreton Island by Foot
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Passengers travel in comfort aboard one of Tangaloomas three high-speed cats -
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View Tangalooma Resort Passenger Ferry in a larger map |
Visiting Moreton Island from Redcliffe and Scarborough
Moreton Island Four Wheel Driving Tips
To protect Moreton Island and its visitors, here are some helpful hints to guide you during your stay on Moreton island:
When sand driving
Stay on formed tracks. On the spot fines apply for driving on sand dunes.
Engage locking hubs and four wheel drive on inland tracks and soft beaches.
Check that your tyre pressure guage works. If you choose to reduce your tyre pressure to help maintain traction on the inland tracks and soft sand, do so within manufacturers’s specifications and reinflate your tyres again to resume speed on harder sand or mainland driving.
Avoid sharp turns and sudden braking.
Select low gears for soft, dry sand.
If your vehicle bogs, reverse and try to drive forward again.
Watch the tides!
The best time to travel around Moreton Island is around low tide. Avoid driving two hours either side of high tide and often for longer as some areas are more affected by tidal activity and onshore winds than others.
Creeks flowing out onto beaches should be crossed with caution.
Do not stop your vehicle in any creek bed, use low speed and check depth and sand softness before crossing.
For safety, avoid travelling at night.
Driving on Moreton Island Safely
Do not drive when you are tired or under the influence of alcohol or mediacation.
You need to be constantly alert and familiar with sand driving technuques – 4WDs handle differently in sand
Police visit the island with speed detectors and breathalyser units.
Before heading off
Ensure your vehicle is mechanically sound.
Carry essential spares, extra fuel, water, tyre guage, air pump, snatch strap, tow rope and a first aid kit.
Know how your vehicle handles in sand-driving conditions and use correct driving techniques.
Load your vehicle correctly
Do not overload your vehicle
Load your vehicle evenly with heavy items stored low.
Vehicles with too much stored on roof racks can overturn or become stuck.
Remember the weight and balance of a 4WD is different from a normal car.
Keep below the speed limit
Speed limit on the beach is 60km/hr or 30km/hr in beach safety zones and assigned on other tracks
Speed limit in townships is 20km/hr or as signed.
Depending on conditions, safe travelling speeds could be much slower.
People driving too fast for the unexpected are more likely to have accidents.
Obey all road rules
Road rules apply on all island tracks and beaches.
All vehicles must be registered.
Wear seat belts at all times.
Keep left of oncoming vehicles at all times.
IMPORTANT THINGS TO KNOW WHEN GOING TO MORETON ISLAND
All vehicles travelling to Moreton Island require a vehicle permit from Queensland Parks and Wildlife. These are available from the Micat office of from the Queensland Parks and Wildlife website. The sticker will be given to you at the time of boarding and must be affixed to the windscreen of your car so that the Moreton Island Park Rangers can easily see them.
Moreton Island is over 98% National Park. It is an offence to drive your vehicle in areas other than on the beach and designated tracks. Park Rangers will fine you if you are found to be damaging any areas of national park or wildlife on Moreton Island.
Put your vehicle into four wheel drive and reduce tyre pressure to manufacturers specifications prior to leaving the ferry and traveling on Moreton Island.
You cannot remove any wood from the island – dead or alive. Bags of firewood are available from the MICAT ticket office or the Bulwer store
As Moreton Island is 97% National Park there are no dogs or other animals allowed on the island (permanent residents are able to gain permits to have dogs at their houses).
There are general stores located at Bulwer township and Tangalooma resort.
Fuel is only available at the store at Bulwer
Moreton Island is an island made up of sand. Tracks are not boarded. There are no bitumen roads. ALL VEHICLES MUST BE 4WD. Camper trailers and trailer travel well on Moreton Island as long as they are not overloaded and your tyre pressures are reduced. Tyre gauges are available for purchase onboard Micat and we provide air pumps to allow you to reinflate your tyres prior to disembarking in Brisbane.
Please do not use soaps or detergents of any kind when swimming in Lakes or Lagoons on Moreton Island.
All vehicles on the island must be registered and must be driven by a licensed driver and normal road rules apply, including the wearing of seatbelts and not driving under the influence of alcohol (0.05). Police visit the island with breathalyzers and speed detectors regularly.
Speed limits on the island are 60 km/h on the ocean beach, 30 km/h on beach safety zones and 20km/h in townships around Moreton Island or as signed.
Be aware of washouts on the beach. Hitting these drops at speed unexpectedly can cause major injuries.
Please slow down when driving along the beach and approaching parked vehicles. Children may not hear you coming due to the sound of the surf and walk out unexpectedly.
Most of the tracks on the island are single lane and have two way traffic. Blind corners are frequent – be aware of oncoming traffic and keep your speed reduced on these tracks.
Bring a first aid kit – and know how to use it.
What To Do In An Emergency
Dial 000 for fire, medical or police emergency assistance.
If no mobile reception try 112 (may not be available to CDMA)
If calling from the ocean beach advise the operator of your closest distance marker. These are located on the ocean beach at two kilometre intervals north and south of Middle Road.
Stay with the injured person – keep them calm and protect them from the elements.
