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If you’ve been following along on our family adventure to Fiji and Australia, this is the final instalment of our epic trip. We left off in Brisbane after checking into the Adina Apartment Hotel, visiting the Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary and of course, Bluey’s World.
Unfortunately, the day before our trip to Tangalooma Island Resort on Moreton Island, a massive storm rolled in. I was worried the water would be rough; seasickness is bad enough, but seasick kids? No thanks. Thankfully, we were assured it would be fine, so we drove the 20 minutes from our hotel to the port. If you’re nervous about rough seas, don’t be. The crew says it rarely gets choppy. When it does, the most stable spot is the middle-back of the boat, which is where we sat.
The 75-minute catamaran ride departs at 10am (ours left at 10:05am) and slowly cruises up the Brisbane River until hitting the bay. The boat didn’t really pick up speed until around 10:50am. The bay crossing took just 38 minutes and was surprisingly smooth and very enjoyable. FYI: The photo above is of our arrival at Moreton Island.
My five-year-old daughter and I had a blast going back and forth to the bow of the ship and recreating the famous Titanic scene, even though she’s never seen the movie!
Meanwhile, my wife and eight-year-old son were completely passed out on the lower, air-conditioned level, the gentle ride lulling them to sleep.
On the way back, we sat upstairs, which was even better. The restaurant-style seating with tables was perfect for the kids to draw and pass the time.
On the main deck, there’s a bar and big jugs of 50+ SPF sunscreen available for free. There’s also a top outdoor deck, but it was hot and windy, so it wasn’t too crowded. GOOD TO KNOW: My T-Mobile phone service worked the whole way across and on the island but don’t forget to pack a portable phone charger. You’re going to be taking a LOT of photos once you arrive.
Pulling up to the Tangalooma dock felt like arriving in the tropics — crystal-clear, turquoise water that looked like it was straight out of the pages of a glossy travel magazine and a squadron of Australian pelicans waiting to greet us. I wasn’t surprised to learn that Tangalooma was named one of Lonely Planet’s 100 Best Beaches in the World.
We were just there for a day trip, and unfortunately the resort was fully booked, so I couldn’t check out the rooms. From the outside, they might not look like much but the real magic is on the island itself.
I did have a chance to swim in the pool with my kids, who have yet to meet a pool they don’t like. Moreton Island is an ideal spot for families wanting a laid-back but memorable getaway, full of nature and discovery.
FUN FACT: If you’ve seen the 2002 movie Scooby-Doo, starring Sarah Michelle Gellar, Freddie Prinze Jr., and the gang, the island might look familiar; it was one of the filming locations! The video below shows the same dock we arrived at (the background was just CGI).
There’s a ton to do on the island.
We considered a 10-minute helicopter ride, but my wife wasn’t into it — it only fits three people including the pilot, and she didn’t want to take any risks (fair enough — I’ve learned which battles are worth picking, and this wasn’t one of them). It did look fun though.
Visitors can also do ATV tours, but be sure you have your driver’s license on you as you need it to operate the ATVs (my wife didn’t have hers with her).
We opted to do the Wrecks Fish Feeding Tour instead, which was super chill.
The kids loved feeding the fish and seeing all kinds of marine life — fish, dolphins, even a sea turtle.
We also saw the sunken ships. According to the Tangalooma Island Resort website, “Located just north of the Tangalooma Island Resort are the Tangalooma Wrecks, a cluster of ships scuttled by the Queensland Government between 1963 and 1984 to provide safe anchorage spot for recreational boat owners on the eastern side of Moreton Bay. Coral is now starting to form in and around the wrecks, providing a haven for over 100 species of fish and sometimes even dolphins, wobbegongs and dugongs.”
But honestly, the kids’ favorite part? Just playing on the beach. The soft, white sand and the shallow, warm, crystal-clear water were perfect. And of course, post-lunch ice cream from one of the two restaurants was a hit.
We originally planned to catch the last ferry back (around 7pm) after the resort’s famous dolphin feeding at dusk, but we had an early flight home to L.A. via Fiji and still needed to pack — so we left earlier than planned.
The kids enjoyed sitting on the upper deck and coloring with a view.
Other cool activities on Moreton Island:
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Snorkeling & Scuba Diving – Explore the Tangalooma Wrecks with a guide. The 15 sunken ships make for an amazing artificial reef.
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Sandboarding – Zoom down the island’s massive dunes. So fun!
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Wildlife Watching – See dolphins, birds, koalas, and kangaroos. Night tours might even reveal nocturnal animals!
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Beach Activities – Think kayaking, paddleboarding, parasailing, or just chillin’ on the shore.
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4WD Tours – Go off-road to spots like Blue Lagoon (a freshwater lake) or the Cape Moreton Lighthouse.
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Fishing & Boat Tours – Enjoy everything from whale watching (in season) to deep sea fishing or scenic cruises.
One thing’s for sure: six hours wasn’t nearly enough. I would’ve loved to spend a night or three there. For more information, check out Tangalooma.com.
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