4x4 Driving Track Series - Moreton Island
Along with many other 4x4 enthusiasts, one of my passions is exploring new and interesting places with my family. One of the most pristine spots I’ve had the pleasure of exploring is Moreton Island, which is the third largest sand island on the planet. Situated in Moreton Bay only 58km north east of Brisbane, the island is a 4x4 paradise filled with a plethora of sand tracks which lead to lagoons, cultural sites, campgrounds, bushland, and heaps of enormous sand dunes! Only accessible by 4WD, Moreton Island is a serene and secluded haven and 98% of its 240km landscape is protected as a national park.
How to get there
There’s a couple of locations in and around Brisbane which take you to Moreton Island, but I prefer the ferry stop at Victoria Point which is roughly 33km south east of Brisbane. This barge heads straight to Kooringal on the southern tip of the island and the trip is roughly 2 hours long, depending on the tides of course. It’s best to travel to Moreton Island in a 4WD which has low range function and high clearance, and even if you don’t own a rig you can hire one from Fleet Crew.
What to expect
Along the western side of the island, there’s three townships which are all accessed through Middle Road which splits the island and offers access from the western beach side to the ocean beach side. Starting at Kooringal in the south, you head north and reach Cowan in the middle, and then Bulwer which is the most northern township on the island. Along your journey you’ll discover heaps of small holiday houses and a breathtaking resort at Tangalooma, which is also home to the famous ship wrecks which can be easily explored by snorkelling and scuba diving.
Almost the whole island is accessible through sand tracks which loop the island in a figure eight. Some of the best tourist sites to visit is Mount Tempest where you can sand toboggan the highest sand hill on the planet (285 metres high) after taking in 3600 views of Moreton Bay. You can also visit the oldest lighthouse in Queensland, Cape Moreton Lighthouse, which is positioned on the north eastern side.
If you’re keen on camping, the island houses 10 campsites which are all a short walk to the beach and positioned in beautiful green and shady areas. Blue Lagoon is a perfect family campsite which is located next to the tea-tree infused freshwater lake. Other campsites located on the island can be found at Comboyuro Point, North Point, Honeymoon Bay, Bulwer Wrecks, and Tangalooma.
Preparation
Bulwer General Store sells petrol in 20L drums only, but if you fill up your 4WD tank before you reach the barge, you should have plenty of petrol for a week's worth of exploring. Also, to drive your 4WD on the island, you have to pay for a vehicle access permit which must be displayed on your windscreen. These permits can be purchased for a several days, or you can decide to purchase a monthly or yearly permit if you wish.
It's necessary to know the tide times when traveling to or around the island. Only travel to the island two hours either side of low tide when the sand is hardest and steer clear of driving anywhere on the island two hours either side of high tide.
4WD pointers
As all of the island is sand, it's important that you have some experience in driving in sand to make your trip as memorable as possible. Here are a few recommendations for driving on the island:
Be careful when driving in soft sand, mainly when there's been no rainfall for extended periods of time. Engage your locking hubs and select low gears
Bring the necessary tools including a well-calibrated tyre pressure gauge, shovel, spare tyre, and first aid kit
Always keep your momentum when going uphill and remember to change speeds gradually
Never stop your 4WD when crossing a creek as your vehicle could stall or sink
You'll likely get bogged at least once while exploring the island. Don't panic and try to force your way out, simply reverse out and try again
Moreton Island has a wide variety of activities that the whole family will enjoy. From scuba diving and snorkelling, whale watching (in season), sand tobogganing, together with lots of cultural sites with rich history, Moreton Island is ideal for a long weekend with family and friends.
If you plan to travel to Moreton Island and need any 4WD products or accessories, together with any camping gear, contact TJM Australia by phoning 07 3865 9999. Alternatively, use their convenient store locator to find the TJM store closest to you.
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