moreton island

We have been to Moreton heaps of times in the boat but rarely land. There is a heap of camping run by EPA and seems to be very basic with only toilets supplied - no power.

No fuel is available on the island

Not sure about medical facilities but there is a large resort.
See http://www.moretonisland.com.au for further info about shops (shop), etc.

Fishing, don't believe the hype. You have to target what you want to catch and be very scientific about it - otherwise no fish. If you hav a boat, you should do quite well at the reefs off the northern tip. Note that EPA is putting some areas into green zones so no fishing incl parts of the shore.

Campervans - you will land on the beach and will definitely need 4wd. Beaches are part of the road network and I think that you may not be allowed on the barge with 2WD.

The above web sit has barge references - there is also the Combi Trader from Redcliff. Each barge lands on a different part of the island so you get the one that ends up where you want to be.

Good Luck

>>can i take campervan,what typical cost on barge
Yes. About $190 for the camper on the barge, assuming it isn't too long. Same cost as car

>> is there beach camping or camping areas.
Yes, most of the camping is open beach (behind dunes) camping

>>the nat parks web site says no fuel available surely this isnt right.
Used to be fuel at bulwer but I heard a rumour they stopped it because the combi trader stopped running

>> are camping crounds powered sites ?
No, none of the epa campgrounds have powered sites. I don't believe there are any privately run campgrounds.

>>are there shops on the island,
I assume the bulwer shop is still there although I haven't visited it for a couple of years. There's also a bar/shop at Kooringal (visited that the other week so it is definitely still running - not much of a shop though) and maybe something at cowan cowan (not sure on that one).

>> is there medical services on the island?
Dunno, but I doubt it.

>>Coming from NSW what would be the best point to get on the barge.
The only barge still running (except the tiny one from Straddie) is the micat. Google for micat. Most of the answers to your other questions will be found on their website.

>>have searched google but it results in mainly adds for the resorts,not a single photo or reference to camper vans
what fish could we catch?
Some of the exits off the beach to the campgrounds are difficult even without a camper, so you may be limited in your choice of spot but there's usually enough to choose from.
As for fish, in January your best bet is to get some eugari (pipies) or beach worms (if you can catch them) and throw a line in off the eastern beach. Bound to catch a dart or three and maybe some nice whiting or bream. If the swell/wind are too much on the eastern beach head to north point/yellowpatch and you might get a bream or two.

I just reread your question and you say you've been to fraser a few times - well Moreton is pretty similar but not as big or as busy.

shhh, it's a secret, no there's no barge there, no you can't buy anything there, no you can't afford to go there, no there's no fish (fingers crossed behind back), if the midges or horsefiles don't getcha the snakes will, every barge that tries to go there sinks, etc etc.

But seriously, January will be a heat stumper of a time to go. Make sure you take some fans or something.

the beauty about the island is that if the dart, brim, tailor, flathead, tarwhine, aren't biting off the beach cause of conditions it's a short drive to the other side to get the same plus the chance of a GT, and out of the wind making the beach like camping in front of a blow dryer.

It's rough, the inland track will test your suspension and the packing of your eggs, think 4WD as a pogo stick, but the rewards are the there and the tourists are not.

But you do need to pack well, down to water and firewood, and snake kit. And if there is a storm cell around, very common in January, Moreton will be hit hard.

Hi,

Step 1 is to prebook as you can't camp without having your booking up front now. Go to the Queensland EPA website at www.epa.qld.gov.au to do this.

Yes you can take a camper and depending on where you want to stay and the track conditions at the time will govern where you will get to with it.

The island has both beach camping and established camp grounds but all sites must be marked as you can't just pull up where you might want to. No power is available and the established campgrounds generally have water, septic or enviro toilets and cold showers. Good idea to boil the water before drinking. There are large rubbish bins at a few places on the islnad for getting rid of your rubbish.

There is a shop in the North at Bulwer where you will get basic supplies and there is one at the resort at Tangalooma where you will get basic supplies. I think there is a small shop at the South of the island at Kooringal but I don't think it has a lot of variety.

No fuel is currently available on the island as the Combie Traader barge is no longer operarting and I believe they were tied up with the ownership of the garage. The main barge service now is on a great catamaran called Micat and they have a lot of info on their website. They leave from the mouth of the Brisbane River. I understand they are looking at getting fuel up and running again in the near future from the Bulwer garage.

There is no resident doctor however there are two Queensland Ambulance staff who live on the island and answer emergency callouts. They are linked in to ambulance communications in Brisbane and all serious cases are airlifted off the island generally from the main helipad at the resort although the chopper has retrieved patients from the other helipads on the island such as at the lighthouse etc .

The fishing is very good and depending on the season you can get, tailor, bream, flathead, whiting and the list goes on. Live bait is available to get yourself or purchase as well.

Summer holidays can be busy and hot with the likelihood of afternoon storms so you need to be well covered and set up.

As someone else mentioned, you won't get any change out of $400.00 for a return trip with a trailer. The other costs are your vehicle permit and camping fees. It's all on the EPA website. When fuel was available it was generally a fair bit dearer than the mainalnd as is the norm with places like that.

It is a great spot. Have a good time.

Pepper2

If going to Moreton Island, make sure you take heed of tide information.

Otherwise you will be in for a long wait (3 hours), or worse.

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