Author's product rating: 
| Advantages: |
The opportunity to feed dolphins in the wild |
| Disadvantages: |
hard to get there |
| Recommend to potential buyers: |
yes |
Moreton Island is situated 35km away from Brisbane. The island is 98% National Parks which is very obvious when you are exploring the island as there isn't a lot of shops or houses. In my opinion its like a mini paradise with its sparkling clear water and unspoilt beaches.
HOW TO GET THERE
You can get there by ferry which operates 6 days a week and you can take your vehicle if you wanted to. This is how we got there and we chose to do a day tour package that we could feed the dolphins in the wild. There are loads of different tours to suit different people where you can whale watch, feed the dolphins, watch the dolphins being fed or just do a day cruise.
Our package was a 'Extended day cruise with dolphin feeding', which cost $90 adult and $50 child. This included transfers on a bus from Roma Street Transit Centre in Brisbane to the docks which left at 7.30am. The ferry across which had commentary en route to Moreton Island telling you about the different things we passed on the boat. We had 8 hours in the resort to do whatever we wanted. This meant if you chose to do any extra tours it was at your own cost. Participation in the Dolphin Feeding Programme was included and straight after you fed the dolphins at roughly 7pm you got back onto the ferry to go back to Brisbane. As we were coming home on what they called the late launch the coach transfer back to Brisbane was not available so they booked a taxi upon request for you which you had to pay extra for. As there was 4 of us in the taxi it only cost us $10 each. It all ran very smoothly and there was no hassle or complications with getting there or getting back home.
'WHAT YOU CAN DO IN MORETON ISLAND
*Desert Safari Tour*
This is a tour which will take you out to the Sand Dunes on a 4WD and you can sand toboggan down the sand dunes (you can reach speeds of up to 40km per hour). The prospect of doing this petrified me so we decided to give it a miss, but I did see pictures in the photograph shop of people doing this tour. It looks like you sit on a board and go down a steep slope in the sand. It costs $25 adult and $16 children and lasts 1.5 hours
*ATV Quad Bike Tour*
We arrived too late for this tour but I did see people out on the beach in a group of about 20 people on their quads. This tour will take you through the beach and bush lands of Moreton Island. You are assured that regardless of your experience they will provide you with basic training and children from 6 years upwards can participate. It costs $58 and last 45 minutes.
*Dugong, Dolphin and Turtle Eco Cruise*
We decided to do this tour and I was really glad we did I had a great time. We got on a small catamaran which held 20 people so it was a small group which I thought was nice as you could ask questions easily about the different animals and had unobstructed views of everywhere around you. We went out in search of dolphins, dugongs, green sea turtles, sea cucumbers and stingrays. We seen dugongs, turtles and stingrays. I really didn't think we would have seen as much to be honest. There was also spectacular views of Moreton Island. We also sailed around the shipwrecks and got to feed some of the tropical fish. During the whole cruise there was commentary about the animals we seen and I learnt loads of interesting facts. One thing I would advise if you were doing this tour is to cover up and put loads of suncream on as both myself and my partner got burnt quite badly. The cruise lasted 3 hours and cost $58 adult. For children it cost $44.
*Blue Lagoon Ocean Beach Tour*
On this tour you would have visited Blue Lagoon one of the largest freshwater lakes on the Island. It lasts 3 hours and cost $48 adult and $30 child.
*Northern Safari Tour*
On this tour you journey along the western beaches and learn about honeymoon bay. Then you will head to Cape Moreton Lighthouse where you will experience cliff views of Moreton Island. It last 4 hours and costs $48 adult and $36 child. We arrived too late to do this tour so it wasnt an option for us.
*Whale Watching*
There are whale watching tours from the months of June to October for anyone who wants to see them. The prices vary from $48 - $98 depending on the type of tour you want to do.
*Helicopter flight*
You can get a helicopter ride over the island and you would see the shipwrecks, sand dunes and cape Moreton. There is also a free helicopter demonstration for guests who are staying on Tangalooma Resort and you would have the chance to sit in a helicopter if you wanted.
*Parasailing*
The first thing I noticed when we arrived was people parasailing along the shorelines. It costs tandem $65 each and a single price of $77 each.
*Jetski Tours*
This is a tour which will bring you around the bay on a jetski and you have stops along the way learning about the history of Moreton Island. It last an hour and costs $90 single and $40 double.
*Snorkelling & Diving*
You can snorkel along the shipwrecks. I wanted to do this however I am short sighted and was told that they did not provide prescription goggles. I never even thought about this fact and was disappointed I could not snorkel, however as I did the cruise I got to see the shipwrecks. Also on the particular day that we went the visibility was only 3meters and we were told that we wouldn't see a lot anyway.
ACCOMMODATION
There are various different types of accommodation on Moreton Island from hotel rooms, resort suites, resort units, villas and houses. As I didn't stay in any accommodation I am not sure what they are like. There are bars on the complex and only guests are allowed to be in the premises after a certain time. There are pool tables, jukebox, tourist information desk and a massage therapist available.
DINING
There are restaurants, a steakhouse, beach bbq and a coffee shop.
DOLPHIN FEEDING
The highlight of my day was feeding the dolphins. We had to go between 1pm and 5pm to check in that we were feeding the dolphins. You are told to go to the jetty where the dolphins start coming in to the beach and eventually they put on lights so you can see them clearer as it starts to get dark. You are told how to feed the dolphins and there is a short presentation on what to do and what not to do. You had to take all jewellery off and wash all sun cream or insect repellent off as this can harm the dolphins. It is explained that you have to feed the dolphins the fish making sure you hold the tail of the fish. As the fish's spine can get stuck in the dolphins throat otherwise. Then you make your way onto the beach and have to wait in a short queue to feed the dolphins. I had to wash my hands in disinfectant first and then you go in pairs or groups into the water with a member of Tangalooma staff. The staff member will hold your arm as you are advised not to jump and pull the fish away when feeding the dolphins so I'm assuming that is why this is done. You have to go waist deep into the water and the dolphins swim up to you. You put the fish under the water and they take it from your hand. The Tangalooma staff takes a photo of you doing this which you can purchase for $15. It was a great experience we got to feed 2 fish to the dolphins, I was slightly nervous but the staff member reassured me.
OVERALL
Overall I had a great experience of this island. There is so much to do and the highlights for me was feeding the dolphins and seeing the shipwrecks. I would recommend if anyone is in Brisbane that if they can make time to see this island they definitely should.
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