Moreton Island Full Day Trip with 4WD and Snorkelling Brisbane
Overview
Our Moreton Island day trip from Brisbane takes you to one of the largest sand islands in the world for a full day of guided adventure. You cross Moreton Bay by boat, snorkel among the Tangalooma Wrecks, paddle a kayak over clear water, ride across the island in a 4WD and try the giant dunes known as The Desert. Snorkelling gear, a life jacket, a beach lunch and a live guide are included in every option, so the day suits active couples, friends and families with children from four.
Highlights
- Snorkel around the Tangalooma Wrecks, a line of sunken ships that now works as an artificial reef
- Paddle a kayak over calm, clear water with your guide beside you
- Cross the island in a guided 4WD along beaches and bushland tracks
- Slide down the huge dunes of The Desert on a sand toboggan
- Build-your-own wraps for lunch on the beach, with snorkel gear and a life jacket included
- Depart from central Brisbane Coach Station or from the Port of Brisbane, depending on the option
- Live commentary on the island's nature, history and traditional owners
Full Description
Moreton Island, the sand island in Moreton Bay
Moreton Island, known to its traditional owners as Mulgumpin, is one of the largest sand islands on earth and lies just across Moreton Bay from Brisbane. Almost all of it is national park, with white beaches, freshwater lakes, coastal heath and rolling dunes, and there are no sealed roads. People often ask whether Moreton Island is worth visiting for a single day, and a guided trip is the easiest way to see the highlights without organising your own vehicle.
This Moreton Island tour from Brisbane covers the wrecks, the beach and the dunes in one loop. The best time to visit Moreton Island is from spring to autumn, when the water is warm for snorkelling, although clear winter days are quieter and still very scenic.
Tangalooma Wrecks snorkelling and kayaking
Just off the western shore lie the Tangalooma Wrecks, about fifteen old vessels that were deliberately sunk from the 1960s to create a sheltered anchorage for small boats. Corals and fish have since settled on the hulls, which is why Tangalooma Wrecks snorkelling is one of the most popular things to do in Moreton Bay. Your guide leads the snorkel, and the equipment and life jacket are provided.
You can also paddle over the wrecks in a kayak, looking down through shallow water at the rusted steel below. You may see fish, rays or a turtle, although wildlife is never guaranteed. Bring swimwear, sunscreen and a towel, because you will be in and out of the water for a good part of the morning.
The Desert dunes and the 4WD island tour
Inland from Tangalooma rises The Desert, a wide area of bare pale sand within Gheebulum Kunungai (Moreton Island) National Park. Driving here needs a permit and experience of soft sand, so a Moreton Island 4WD tour with a guide is the practical way to see it. You travel along the beach and through bushland tracks before reaching the dunes.
The highlight is sand tobogganing: you lie or sit on a board and slide down a steep dune at surprising speed. Climbing back up is slow work in soft sand, so pace yourself and drink water. Your guide explains the island's plants, birds and history as you go.
How to get to Moreton Island from Brisbane
There is no bridge to the island, so the only way to get to Moreton Island is by boat or barge. On this trip the crossing of about 75 minutes is part of the day, and you sit on a boat with covered and open seating while you cross Moreton Bay and watch for dolphins and seabirds.
Depending on the option you choose, you meet at the central Brisbane Coach Station at 7:00 AM or at the Port of Brisbane at 7:30 AM. Hotel pickup is not included, so plan your own way to the meeting point using the details in your booking voucher.
Itinerary
- Check-in in BrisbaneMeet your guide at Brisbane Coach Station (about 7:00 AM) or the Port of Brisbane (about 7:30 AM), depending on your option.
- Boat crossing of Moreton BayAbout 75 minutes on a spacious boat with commentary and views of the bay.
- Tangalooma Wrecks snorkel and kayakA guided snorkel and a kayak paddle over the sunken ships, with life jackets and equipment provided.
- Beach lunchBuild your own wraps and eat on the beach during a relaxed break.
- 4WD tour and The DesertRide through beach and bushland tracks to the great dunes and try sand tobogganing.
- Return to BrisbaneCross the bay again and finish at your meeting point in the late afternoon.
What's included
- Fully guided tour of Moreton Island
- 4WD experience on the island
- Snorkelling equipment and kayak
- Life jacket and safety orientation
- DIY wraps for lunch on the beach
- Live tour commentary
- Return transport
Not included
- Additional food and drinks
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
- Peak surcharge on public holidays
Not suitable for
- Children under 4 years
- Pregnant women
- Wheelchair users and travellers with walking difficulties, because of soft sand and boat boarding
- Anyone who cannot walk on soft sand or climb dunes
Meeting point
There are two departure options. The Brisbane Coach Station option checks in at about 7:00 AM, and the Port of Brisbane option checks in at about 7:30 AM at 14 Howard Smith Drive. Hotel pickup is not included in either option. Your booking voucher gives the exact check-in details, and we recommend arriving 15 minutes early.
Important information
- Bring swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, a hat, sunglasses and a reusable water bottle.
- Wear a swimsuit under your clothes so you can go straight into the water.
- Bring a little cash for extra snacks and drinks, which are not included.
- Pets, luggage and large bags are not allowed on the trip.
- Children aged 3 and younger cannot join; children from 4 to 13 pay the child rate.
- A peak surcharge may apply on gazetted public holidays and is shown at checkout.
- Keep your booking voucher on your phone; it has the check-in details for your option.
- Conditions on the bay can change the order of activities, and your guide will adjust the day for safety.
Good to know
Frequently Asked Questions
Straight answers to what travellers ask us most, before they book.
How much does the Moreton Island day trip ticket cost?
The price depends on the option you choose, that is the departure point. The booking panel on this page shows the current price for each option, for adults and for children.
Is hotel pickup included?
No. You meet at Brisbane Coach Station or at the Port of Brisbane, depending on the option, and the exact details are in your booking voucher.
How long is the Moreton Island day trip?
It is a full-day trip. Check-in is at about 7:00 or 7:30 AM depending on the option, and you return to Brisbane in the late afternoon.
What is the difference between the options?
The options differ only in the departure point and time: Brisbane Coach Station at about 7:00 AM, or the Port of Brisbane at about 7:30 AM. The activities and inclusions are the same.
Is lunch included?
Yes, do-it-yourself wraps are provided for lunch on the beach. Additional food and drinks are not included.
Is the Moreton Island tour suitable for children?
Yes for children aged 4 and older who are comfortable around water. Children aged 3 and younger cannot join. Child rates apply from age 4 to 13 and are shown in the booking panel.
What should I wear and bring?
Wear swimwear under light clothing and bring a towel, sunscreen, a hat, sunglasses and a water bottle. Closed shoes are not required, but you will walk on sand.
Do I need to be a good swimmer for the Tangalooma Wrecks snorkelling?
The snorkel is guided and you wear a life jacket, so beginners are welcome. Tell your guide if you are nervous in the water.
Can I book for today or tomorrow?
Choose your date in the booking panel to see what is available. Popular days sell out, so we recommend booking as early as you can.
What is the best time to visit Moreton Island?
Spring, summer and autumn are best for swimming and snorkelling. Winter days are cooler but often clear and quiet.
