Tangalooma Island Resort - Desert Safari Day Cruise with Dolphin Feeding

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A full day on Moreton Island from Brisbane: ride a 4WD bus out to the Tangalooma Desert and toboggan down the sand dunes, have lunch at the resort, then wade into the shallows at dusk to hand-feed a wild dolphin.

Days

Full day, returning after dark

Group size

Shared day cruise

Start / finish

Holt Street Wharf, Pinkenba / Tangalooma Island Resort / Holt Street Wharf
Holt Street Wharf, about 75 minutes after the evening boat leaves

Return

Holt Street Wharf, about 75 minutes after the evening boat leaves

Transport

Return catamaran from Brisbane and 4WD bus to the desert

Meals

Lunch voucher ($25 adult, $20 child) and one tea, coffee or soft drink on the boat

Route

Map of Tangalooma Island Resort - Desert Safari Day Cruise with Dolphin Feeding

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Included experiences

Moreton Bay Marine Park — 75-minute catamaran crossing each way, with commentary
Tangalooma Desert — 4WD bus to the dunes and sand tobogganing at up to 40 km/h
Tangalooma Island Resort — pools, beach and free Eco Ranger bird feeding
Eco Centre — 'Discover the world of Dolphins' presentation
Tangalooma jetty beach — wade in at dusk and hand-feed a wild bottlenose dolphin

Tangalooma Island Resort - Desert Safari Day Cruise with Dolphin Feeding

Pictures / Videos

Itinerary

Map

MORNING: ACROSS MORETON BAY TO TANGALOOMA

Check in an hour before the 7:30am or 10am sailing at the Tangalooma wharf on Holt Street, Pinkenba, beside the Brisbane River near the airport. The catamaran heads downriver and out across Moreton Bay, a marine park where dugongs graze the seagrass beds within sight of a capital city, with the crew's commentary along the way and a tea, coffee or soft drink on the house. After about 75 minutes the sandhills of Mulgumpin (Moreton Island) rise ahead. It is the world's third-largest sand island, home of the Quandamooka people and almost all national park. You tie up at Tangalooma, which from 1952 to 1962 was Queensland's last whaling station.

THE DESERT SAFARI

From the resort a 4WD bus follows sandy tracks through the bush to the edge of the Tangalooma Desert, a stretch of bare, wind-blown dunes in the middle of the island's forest. The outing takes about an hour and a half there and back, with runs in the morning and early afternoon. Your guide walks you up onto the sand for the view, then hands you a Masonite board. Lie on it, push off, and a good run reaches 40 km an hour. Climb back up as often as your legs allow. Wet sand is too slow for tobogganing, so on rainy days the bus goes sightseeing to the Tangalooma Wrecks, 15 old vessels sunk from 1963 to shelter small boats.

MIDDAY: LUNCH AND RESORT TIME

Back at the resort the rest of the day is yours. Your lunch voucher works at any of the resort's open food outlets, and your day pass covers the two pools, the beach and the bars, plus the guest Day Lounge. At the Eco Centre the rangers run the Discover the World of Dolphins presentation about the wild bottlenose dolphins, a pod of up to 11, that swim in to the beach each evening. There's free kookaburra feeding outside the centre and a pelican feeding and sea bird talk. Fancy a walk? The beach runs north to the rusting hulls of the wrecks, about 20 minutes along the sand, and snorkel gear can be hired for an extra cost.

DUSK: HAND-FEEDING THE WILD DOLPHINS

When the day crowd leaves on the 4pm boat, you stay on, with the guest Day Lounge as your base. Just after sunset, wild bottlenose dolphins swim into the shallows beside the jetty of their own accord; the staff never call them in, and they turn up on 98 to 99 nights in 100. The Eco Rangers of the Dolphin Care Team lead you into knee-deep water with a herring held upright in your hand, and a dolphin glides in to take it. The fish is only 10 to 20 percent of its daily food, so the pod stays wild. Then the evening boat carries you back across the dark bay, about 75 minutes to Holt Street.

Map

Good to know

Meeting point: Holt Street Wharf, 220 Holt Street, Pinkenba, about 15 minutes' drive from the Brisbane CBD and 10 minutes from the airport. Check in at least 1 hour before your boat. There is no bus or train to the wharf; parking is on site and paid on arrival.
Departure time: Boats leave Brisbane at 7:30am or 10am. The return boat leaves Tangalooma after the evening dolphin feeding, between about 7pm and 8:30pm depending on the season.
Fitness: You need moderate fitness to climb the sand dunes, often in strong sun. Tell us when you book about any injury or medical condition, such as pregnancy, epilepsy, asthma or a heart condition, that physical activities could affect.
Dolphin feeding: Children must be at least 102 cm tall to walk in and feed; smaller children are carried and can drop a fish in with a ranger's help. Wash off sunscreen and insect repellent, take off rings and watches, and don't touch the dolphins. No flash photos on the beach. Skip the feed if you have a cold or flu. Dolphins come almost every night (98 to 99% of nights), but numbers vary, so a fish may be shared, and in rough weather the feed can move to the jetty.
Please note: Sand tobogganing can't run on wet sand, so in wet weather the safari becomes a sightseeing trip to the Tangalooma Wrecks. It is a long day, finishing after dark.

What to bring

Swimwear or shorts and a towel
A change of clothes
Sunscreen, hat and sunglasses
Camera
A camera strap or head mount for the toboggan runs

What is included

Return catamaran from Holt Street Wharf, Brisbane, with commentary
Resort day pass: two swimming pools, restaurants, bars and day lounge
One tea, coffee, soft drink or water on the boat
Lunch voucher ($25 per adult, $20 per child)
Desert Safari: 4WD bus to the desert and sand tobogganing with boards supplied
Eco Ranger experiences and the 'Discover the world of Dolphins' presentation at the Eco Centre
A place in the evening wild dolphin feeding

Not included

Car parking at the wharf ($20 per vehicle per day, paid on arrival)
Hotel shuttle to and from the wharf (sold separately)
Food and drinks beyond the lunch voucher
Wader hire for the dolphin feeding ($15, optional)
Photos of your dolphin feed (sold by the resort photo shop)

FAQ

Preparing for the trip

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.

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.

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

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.

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 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.