Since I had to change my original up-the-coast travel plans, I missed out on seeing what a sand island is all about, so decided that I didn’t want to miss that. The alternate was Moreton Island. It lies 36 miles off the coast of Brisbane, in Moreton Bay, reachable by a ferry down the Brisbane river, and is the 3rd largest sand island in the world.
There are limited options in organizing a visit. A tour group will take you to some spot and take you around in a 4WD vehicle to visit the lighthouse (the oldest in Queensland), and to the Blue Lagoon for swimming, and a chance to surf down really tall sand dunes on boogie boards. Or you can arrange a ferry and a day pass to the Tangalooma resort, where all those same activities are available… for a fee. it’s basically a time share/hotel resort with cabins and villas and a lovely beach. And the day trippers arrive and add to the crowd for the various activities.
The ferry was crowded with scores of Asians, all taking selfies on the upper deck, even with the backdrop of fertilizer and cement factories. It was 75 minutes over and a beautiful day for a boat trip. I spent the day on the beach, and visited the marine education center and went for a long beach walk. The birds were amazing as usual, and I was pleased to see my first white cheeked heron. There were large starfish on the empty beach, which also had the imprints of 4WD vehicles who arrived on a car ferry elsewhere on the island and were camping with a view of the sea. (Because it’s a sand island, the only vehicles are 4WD).
The spot on the island was initially a whaling station. Humpback whales make the annual migratory trip across the bay, so it was a prime location for whaling in the 50’s. By 1963 it was sold to some developers who set out to create the resort that currently exists. In the early 90’s several dolphins began coming near the jetty in the evening and the owners at the time began feeding them fish. In the years since, several dozen different dolphins have come repeatedly to the jetty, and the evening meal has become a tourist attraction, in addition to providing the dolphins with about 20% of their diet for the day.
I stayed late so that I could view the dolphin feeding. 11 dolphins appeared around 6PM, knowing that fish was on the menu beginning at 6:30. Marine Biologists set up lanes and visitors man each lane and walk into the water and hand feed the fish to the dolphins. There were several with baby calves who swam nearby, and some flying fish which caused a bit of dolphin leaping. The pictures aren’t great, but it was pretty amazing to watch them so close up, and so docile and relaxed.
Then it was a late ferry back to Brisbane.
I head off for another weekend without internet and will have another adventure to report when I’m back online!
Happy Easter Lorrie! I finally got caught up on your trek across Australia and I loved all your photos and journal entries. So many favorites, but your Ocean walk from Apollo Bay to the 12 Apostles was amazing and I wish I could have been there with you. You know how much I love the ocean and the views along your walk were just stunning. I also enjoyed all the photos of the birds and the array other critters from both land and sea. You look fantastic and I hope your travels are everything you hoped for and more.
All is good here in RI and spring has finally arrived…thank goodness. We had a wonderful trip to Baja California Sur. The warm sun and interesting terrain were fun to explore. Andy is back on the water rowing and feeling great. Hard to think last year at this time he was dealing with heart issues. We are so grateful for modern medicine and his team of extraordinary doctors. I am back reffing and loving it. Lacrosse has been a part of my life since I was 14 years old so I continue to enjoy having it in my life. Plus, I love getting out of the office and being outside. We are heading to Falmouth, Maine to have Easter with Andy’s mother, Janet & Barry, and Tom & Lauri. It will be a quick trip but a fun one. Remember all the wonderful Easter holidays at our place with Pete & Kit and their kids! Great memories!
I am glad you are having a fantastic adventure/s and please know your magnificent posts bring me great joy, knowledge and inspiration. Miss you and sending you all my love!