Discover Moreton Island: Lagoons, Dunes and Marine Life

Moreton Island appeals to travellers who want to include freshwater landscapes, dunes, wildlife watching and coastal experiences in their travel plans. Blue Lagoon and Honeyeater Lake represent freshwater and birdlife, Cape Moreton offers views of marine wildlife, and The Desert is an expansive sandblow. The differences below can help you decide what to focus on before looking for a hotel for your trip.

Blue Lagoon and Honeyeater Lake: two freshwater destinations

Blue Lagoon is a freshwater lagoon surrounded by flowering heath. It is a window lake, where groundwater reaches the land surface. The Blue Lagoon track runs 500 m return through heath to a wind-shaped sand dune by the lake. You can picnic, paddle and swim at the lagoon.

For paddling, you can carry a canoe, kayak or paddleboard along the track and paddle beside the lagoon’s forested shores. This makes the walk and the activities on the water distinct experiences. Check local conditions before entering the water.

The Honeyeater Lake track leads to a viewing platform overlooking a freshwater lake with sedges, flowering heath and abundant birdlife. The platform is near the car park; access to the lake is via Bulwer–Blue Lagoon Road. You can spot a variety of waterbirds at Honeyeater Lake. Honeyeaters feed on Banksia flowers around the lake; musk ducks visit occasionally and can sometimes be seen on the water. Sightings may vary.

Bird and marine wildlife watching

At Honeyeater Lake, the focus is on freshwater and birds; at Cape Moreton, it is on the sea, where you can spot dolphins, sharks and turtles, among other marine life. Whale watching is listed for June to November; sightings can vary here too. If wildlife watching shapes your travel plans, you can choose between birdwatching by the lake and a lookout for marine wildlife.

Dunes and island landscapes

Mount Tempest is 280 m high and the island’s tallest sand dune. The Desert Track follows the ridge of a large coastal dune to The Desert, the island’s expansive sandblow. The two landscape destinations therefore have different defining features: Mount Tempest is notable for its height, while the Desert Track’s route along the dune ridge and The Desert as its destination are the main focus.

Heritage and experiences on the water

Cape Moreton Lighthouse was built in 1857, is 23 m high and is heritage-listed. It is Queensland’s only stone lighthouse. Its construction date, height and design make it a distinct point of interest for travellers interested in the island’s built heritage as well as its natural attractions.

Shell middens on Moreton Island are evidence of thousands of years of Aboriginal occupation. Treat these cultural sites with respect. The waters around Mulgumpin (Moreton Island) are also home to several well-known snorkelling and diving sites; local water conditions can affect whether you can take part. This distinguishes freshwater activities at Blue Lagoon from snorkelling and diving in the waters around the island. Check local conditions before entering the water.

Discover more destinations: Tieri, Bororen, Daydream Island, Palmview, Burleigh Heads, The Keppels, Fletcher, Pallarenda

For the broader travel overview: Queensland.