Moreton Island (Australia)

After talking about Madrid and Sydney, two cities I like a lot, back to nature.

And for that, nothing better than Australia of course.

I lived in this wonderful country for 7 years, before my Solo Wedding in Santorini, which gave me lots of opportunities to visit amazing places.

With its 7.692 million km², I still have a lot to visit, for example I’ve never been to the west coast. It gives me even more reasons to want to go back someday.

In the meantime, I'm taking you today to another famous island in Queensland: Moreton Island!

 
A precious memory that the discovery of this island for a whole weekend and that for several reasons.

First, I did it with my younger sister in February 2016, just 5 years ago. She came to live a year with me and this excursion was her last, and what an adventure!

Pick up in Brisbane by our driver and guide with a 4X4, to board a ferry; at only 40km (25mi), the crossing takes about an hour and a half. Which is long enough for my sister to be seasick...

Third largest sand island in the world, only 4X4 vehicles are allowed on this island classified as a national park.

By the way, for information, the 4 largest sand islands in the world are in Queensland

1. Frazer Island
2. North Stradbroke Island
3. Moreton Island
4. Bribie Island 

Like the visit of North Stradbroke island, I’ve told you about already, the discovery of Moreton is also adventurous…

Apart from the white sand beaches as far as the eye can see, which I personally never tire of, you can discover the sand dunes in the desert.

As impressive as those in Dubai (reread the article Desert) and perfect for tobogganing with a wooden board.

First time for my sister & I, was fantastic; no photos or videos unfortunately, I was too busy having fun!

The 4X4 also provides easy access to the heights of the island to Cape Moreton Lighthouse, the first lighthouse built in Queensland in 1857.

One of the buildings has been transformed into an information centre with a presentation of the island and its history.

Remember that Moreton Bay including Brisbane, and Australia in general, was initially a penitentiary centre for British convicts.

When the weather is clear, you can easily see whales, sharks, turtles, dolphins, rays and dugongs.

The vegetation is very astonishing here and offers a surprising spectacle, perfect for photography.

Let’s stop at the Blue Lagoon, a lake in the middle of the island, with a sandy bottom formed by the natural collection of rainwater over thousands of years. Its cool water infused with the natural tea tree oils that surround it, makes it a popular spot.

For fish & snorkelling lovers, let’s head to the beach to enjoy the 15 ships that were deliberately sunk there in 1963 to create a breakwater. Coral and wildlife have taken over the place and the atmosphere is quite unique.

Again, no photos, I was head underwater admiring fishes, but beautiful images in the video at the end of the article ...

You know me well enough now to guess that I picked the hotel instead of the campsite.
However, the Tangalooma Island Resort is not like any hotel.

Originally the place was a whaling fishing station that operated between 1952 and 1962. The island is in the way of the whale migration route from June to November.

Today, an Eco Centre installed within the hotel, protects and informs about the environment and the island’s wildlife. Lots of activities are organised around it, interesting for both adults and children.

A whole ecosystem coexists here, which makes it a surprising and magical place ...

I've saved the best for last, if you've read my article My Favourite Animals, I talked about it briefly: dolphins!

Every evening, about ten wild bottlenose dolphins come to the shores of the hotel.

You have the option of being able to feed one of them by hand. The research team take the opportunity to check the health of the dolphins and to count them.

They are only fed 10-20% of their daily requirement to keep them wild.

The experience is incredible and truly extraordinary, the dolphins are curious and playful, and being able to approach them so closely is a great chance.

To leave this little paradise, we had to take the ferry again, much to the despair of my sister who would have preferred the helicopter!

Reread my Previous Articles:

• Almudena Cathedral (Madrid)
• In the Air 3 (Sydney)
• Sunset
• Desert
• Australia
• Christmas in Brisbane
• North Stradbroke Island
• Palm Cove (Australia)
• My Favourite Animals

Have a great week!
 
Love & Joy,
L.