Hiking

Moreton Island has many walking and hiking trails on the island, ranging from short easy strolls to half-day hikes. Walking is one of the best ways to appreciate the island's environmental features and discover some of the various wildlife habitats. Make sure you have the essentails, carry a map, compass, food, drinking water and first-aid kit. Wear protective clothing, hat, sunscreen, sunglasses and insect repellent.

Popular Family & Easy Hikes

Blue Lagoon—500 m return, approx 20 minutes

Difficulty: Easy
The track winds through heathland to the dune sandblow on the lake. Blue Lagoon is a window lake, created where the watertable is exposed at the land surface, giving you a window view into the Islands water table. This is a nice easy walk and worth it for the views and if your up for it a quick dip in the warm waters.
Access to Blue Lagoon is from the ocean beach, north of the Bulwer-Blue Lagoon track. Toilets are located before you reach the carpark.

Honeyeater Lake—60 m return, Approx 5 minutes

Difficulty: Easy

Enjoy a short stroll to a viewing platform looking over this perched lake—created when water collects in a depression with a solid bottom which prevents rainwater filtering down to the watertable. Honeyeater Lake, a good place to see a variety of waterbirds, is surrounded by the sounds of the honeyeaters feeding on banksia flowers. Musk ducks are occasional visitors and are sometimes seen on the lake. You can view the lake from a platform located near the carpark.
Honeyeater Lake is located closer to the ocean beach, on the Bulwer - Blue Lagoon Track.

Cape Moreton—1.5 km return, Approx 1 hour

Difficulty:Intermediate

See Queensland's first lighthouse, built in 1857 of island sandstone. Although you can not gain access into lighthouse, the views are spectacular. See the lighthouse keeper's wife's grave, watch marine life. See whales (June–November), dolphins, sharks and turtles, as well as magnificent island scenery. The walk up the hill can be hot in the summer as it is not shaded.

The Desert—4 km circuit, Approx 1.5 hours

Difficulty: Intermediate

Walk along a track from the western beach south of Tangalooma Resort, up a large sand dune, and watch for wildlife that lives in this harsh environment. Brings you out in the far East Corner of the Desert, just a short climb to the top of the sand boarding hill. This walk has many steps and a moderate level of fitness is required.
Access is just south of Tangalooma Resort.

Five Hills lookout—1 km return, Approx 30 minutes

Difficulty: Intermediate

From North Point Road the track heads up through low heathland to the top of a large sand dune. Do this walk in the cooler part of the day. You'll be rewarded with views of Heath Island, the Five Hills area and some of the island's coastal swamps.
Acess is on the Tangalooma - North Point Track and is sign posted very well.

Popular Intermediate Hikes

Mount Tempest lookout—2.5 km return, Approx 2 hours

Difficulty: Difficult

Walk up Mount Tempest—the highest sand dune on the island, 280 m in elevation. Expect many steps. Seats are provided along the way and at the lookout. After your steep climb, be rewarded with 360-degree views of the island, Moreton Bay Marine Park and, on a clear day, the Glass House Mountains. Read about Moreton Island's indigenous people—the Dolphin clans. This walk is best done in the cooler part of the day or in winter. Take plenty of water.
Acess is off Middle Road and is well marked

Telegraph Road—16 km return, Approx 6 hours

Difficulty: Difficult

Discover interesting habitats and relics of the old telegraph line. The track goes through several vegetation types including heathland and eucalypt woodland. Look out for the perched swamp found on top of the dune ridge. In spring, the track is lined with heathland flowers. This long track is best walked in winter and spring, or in the early morning during summer. A one-way walk option is to arrange to be dropped off at the end of the Bulwer – Blue Lagoon Road and walk through to Mount Tempest, meeting your lift at the Mount Tempest carpark.

Rous Battery track—9.8 km one way, Approx 3.5 hours

Difficulty: Intermediate
See the remnants of a World War II fort scattered around the dunes. The walk follows the old Rous Battery service road. This is the only walk on the southern end of the island. You'll wander through scribbly gum forest and patches of the green, feathery ground plant called foxtails (Caustis blakei). Always carry sufficient drinking water. Bore water is available along the track near the ocean beach but should be treated before use