Bushwacker Eco Tours Moreton Island Snorkel & Sandboard Adventure

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A full day on Moreton Island from Brisbane: ferry across the bay, 4WD over the island to sandboard the dunes of The Desert, then snorkel or kayak around the Tangalooma Wrecks after a beach picnic. Pick-up, lunch, sandboards, snorkel gear and a wetsuit are all in the price.

Days

Full day, about 11 hours from Brisbane

Age

All ages

Group size

Small group with a local guide

Start / finish

Brisbane / Port of Brisbane / Moreton Island / Brisbane
Brisbane City, about 6pm

Return

Brisbane City, about 6pm

Transport

Return ferry across Moreton Bay, 4WD on the island, and transfers in Brisbane

Meals

Picnic lunch with cold drinks and fruit

Route

Map of Bushwacker Eco Tours Moreton Island Snorkel & Sandboard Adventure

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Included experiences

Moreton Bay — ferry crossing, watching for dolphins and turtles
Middle Road — 4WD through forest and grass trees
The Desert — sandboarding and tobogganing down the dunes
Tangalooma Wrecks — guided snorkel or kayak around 15 sunken ships

Bushwacker Eco Tours Moreton Island Snorkel & Sandboard Adventure

Pictures / Videos

Itinerary

Map

MORNING: FERRY ACROSS MORETON BAY

After an early pick-up you board the MICAT ferry at the Port of Brisbane for the crossing of Moreton Bay Marine Park. The ferry has open viewing decks, a bar and a coffee shop, so find a spot at the rail and watch for dolphins, turtles, stingrays and sometimes a dugong. Moreton Bay is one of the few places in the world where dugong graze within sight of a capital city. When you reach Mulgumpin (Moreton Island) there's no wharf to walk off. The 4WD drives straight off the ferry onto the sand, because 98 percent of the island is national park and there are no sealed roads.

MIDDLE ROAD AND THE DESERT

Your guide follows the west coast, then turns inland on Middle Road, a sandy track through eucalypt forest and stands of grass trees. Some are 250 years old, as these plants grow only a centimetre or two a year. The track ends at The Desert, a bare dune that the wind reshapes every day and that creeps north-west about a metre a year. Boards and toboggans are supplied and your guide shows you how. Beginners and young children start on the gentle slopes, while the steeper faces of dunes over 35 metres high can send a fast rider down at up to 50 km/h. Have your camera ready.

LUNCH ON THE WEST COAST

Back on the bay side, your guide sets out a picnic lunch with cold drinks, fresh fruit and biscuits, looking across Moreton Bay to the mainland. There's time for a swim in the calm water, a walk along the sand or a rest in the sun.

AFTERNOON: SNORKEL OR KAYAK THE TANGALOOMA WRECKS

The afternoon belongs to the Tangalooma Wrecks, 15 old vessels sunk from 1963 to shelter small boats, lying about 50 metres off the beach. In wetsuit and snorkel gear you swim out with your guide among parrotfish, big-eye trevally, wobbegong sharks, blue tang and clownfish. Not a strong swimmer? Paddle a kayak around the hulls instead and look down through the clear water. You return on the last ferry of the afternoon, and with luck the sun goes down behind the Glass House Mountains, the volcanic peaks Captain Cook named in 1770 because they reminded him of glass furnaces in Yorkshire. You're back in Brisbane City around 6pm.

Map

Good to know

Meeting point: Bus stop 125, Roma Street, Brisbane City (opposite Police Headquarters). Other stops in West End, Ann Street, Fortitude Valley, Kangaroo Point, Redcliffe Jetty and the Port of Brisbane, 14 Howard Smith Drive.
Departure time: Around 7am from Brisbane City (6am Redcliffe, 8am Port of Brisbane). Your pick-up time is confirmed when you book.
Finishes: About 6pm in Brisbane City (5pm at the Port of Brisbane).
Fitness: Suits most ages and fitness levels. Snorkelling means swimming in open water; the kayak is there for anyone who would rather stay on top.
Suits: Beginners, families with young children and anyone after a fast ride down a dune.
Please note: Tours run in most weather. In extreme conditions the guide may change the plan for safety, and another ferry may be used.

What to bring

Swimmers and towel
Sunscreen and a hat
Insect repellent
Walking shoes
Camera
Warm clothes in winter

What is included

Pick-up and return from Brisbane City, inner-city stops, Redcliffe or the Port of Brisbane
4WD touring on Moreton Island with a local guide
Sandboarding and tobogganing gear and instruction
Picnic lunch with cold drinks, fresh fruit and biscuits
Guided snorkel at the Tangalooma Wrecks, with snorkel gear and wetsuit
Kayak option for non-snorkellers

Not included

National park and ferry fees: $80 per adult, $60 per child, paid to your guide on the day (this covers the ferry crossing)
Gold Coast pick-up, if you choose it: $100 extra

FAQ

Preparing for the trip

Do I need to take any medical supplies?

It is not necessary to bring any medical supplies other than any personal items you may require. Each tour carries a first aid box, and the tour guides are all certified in First Aid.

Do I need travel insurance?

Insurance is important in protecting visitors from loss or damange of goods, medical problems, cancelation by passengers or other casualties. Its highly recommended. Some tours on this website require you to have travel insurance. If you are Australian then it is not necessary.

Where can I get more information about this trip?

If you find that this tour page doesn't answer all your questions, then please get in contact with us! Our passionate team are always available to answer any queries you may have.

What immunisations do I need?

For the latest information on immunisations, we strongly recommend you or contact the Travellers Medical and Vaccination Centre (www.traveldoctor.com.au) to discuss health requirements for your trip. They will advise you about appropriate inoculations.

Will I be able to use my mobile whilst on tour?

You can use your mobile while touring in Australia or New Zealand, but coverage may be limited in remote areas. For best connectivity, consider purchasing a local SIM card or an international roaming plan.

How fit do I need to be?

These tours are designed to be fun, informative and active, and can be enjoyed by anyone with a moderate degree of fitness and agility. Travellers should be comfortable with hiking or walking up to 5km each day.

What should I pack?

Depending on where in Australia or New Zealand you decide to visit, your luggage will vary. For exact information please visit the "What to bring" section of each tour page.

Private tours and families

Is it possible to travel in a private group?

If you are looking for a private tour based on one of these trips, please contact us directly and we may be able to help. Over the years we have worked with families, groups of friends, schools, clubs and charities to put together the perfect trip.

Booking the trip

Does the tour price include flights?

No. Tour prices do not include any travel arrangements other than for the duration of the tour itself. If you need assistance with booking flights or buses our travel team and certainly help - Just ask!

How far in advance do I need to book my tour?

As a rule of thumb, try to book at least 2 weeks prior to departure, this will usually get you a seat on the date you want. That being said, we cannot guarantee that spaces will be available at the time of your booking so, if you can, book as soon as possible. Bookings can still be made right up until the departure date of the tour if seats are available. If you know when you'd like to travel, please contact us and we will let you know if you need to book soon or if you have time.

Do I have to book this tour online?

Definitely not. Our website is designed to make is easy and convenient for you to schedule your tour. However we understand sometimes its nice to talk to someone directly. So by all means give us a call and we can organise your trip over the phone.

If I book more than one tour can I get a discount?

Absolutely! If you are booking multiple tours then we may be able to offer you a discount. Send us an email at info@lostinaustralia.org and let us know what you thinking of doing and we can put together a price for you.Also, be sure to look out for monthly specials on tours. We often have some great bargains.

How do I know when a tour is available?

You can check the departure dates of tours by using our calendar on the top right hand corner of the tour page. This will tell you what days the tour departs. For availability of seats please contact us directly at info@lostinaustralia.org or call us.

If I make a deposit only, when will I need to pay the balance?

Balance on tours need to be paid at least 30 days prior to departure. Failure to do so could result is the cancellation of your seat with a fee charged. If you need more time to clear your balance then let us know ASAP and arrangements can be made.

Who travels with us

Is it ok to travel alone on one of these tours?

Plenty of travellers book these tours on their own. Solo travellers are very much welcomed and encouraged. During your outback adventure you'll meet new and interesting people and forge relationships that last a lifetime.Solo travellers will usually share a room with a travelling companion of the same sex, but even if you do get your own room you won't be charged extra. On camping tours there are generally enough tents available that you can have your own if you choose to.For more information please contact us directly.

Cost and Fees

Do I need to tip the guide?

If you had an amazing time on tour and wish to tip your guide, that is completely up to you. Tipping is not customary in Australia and is not at all expected.

Will I need additional money?

Travellers are advised to bring some cash, as ATMs and banks can be few and far between in the remote parts of the trip. It is handy to have some extra cash, as the tour does stop by local shops and cafes.

Are there any hidden fees I need to know about?

Our tour prices are completely transparent. There are no additional fees involved that are not included in the overall tour price shown. If you wish to do optional activities such as helicopter rides or wildlife safaris, then an extra cost may be needed. However, this will always be made clear at the time of your booking.

What does Paid Locally mean?

Some tours require you to pay national park fees directly, in cash, to the tour guide on the morning of departure. Rest assured this will be subtracted from the tour price when reserving your tour.

Whilst on tour

Can I book extra accommodation for the start and end of the tour?

We know our country inside and out and would be happy to give you good recommodations. Please contact us for recommendations.

Where do I meet the tour?

For pick-up times and locations, please check the "Start/Finish" section directly under the itinerary, which lists every pick-up point and its time.There is a lot of information there to help you plan your flights and arrival.Please review it carefully, as pick-ups can vary from tour to tour.

Reviews

5.0

Based on 1 review

Verified from

Real reviews from travellers who've done this tour, gathered from around the web and paraphrased.

How we collect and publish reviews

Where they come from. Our reviews are gathered from independent review sites and from guests who share feedback with us directly after their trip. They come from people who have actually travelled on the tour. Some longer trips are made up of shorter tours we also sell, run back to back — where a review was written about one of those legs, the review says so.

Why some are edited. Many of our guests travel in their second or third language. Where a review is hard to read, we lightly edit spelling, grammar and punctuation, or paraphrase a sentence for clarity. We never change the rating, the meaning or the sentiment, and we never write a review on a guest's behalf.

Reading the originals. Reviews sourced from public review sites appear there in their original form, and can be read in full at their original source at any time.

(5/5)

My friend and I had so much fun on Moreton Island and we'll be back. The guide was funny and informative, the cars never got stuck even when others did, the snorkelling was beautiful and the sandboarding was fun.

Jinky Agos Verified· Travelled 6th August 2019

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