Moreton Island - Geography

Geography

The island covers an area of approximately 186 square km, and extends for 37 km from north to south and is 13 km at its widest point. Cape Moreton, at the north eastern tip of the island, is the only rock outcrop on the island. It was named Cape Morton by Captain James Cook in May 1770, and was at that time assumed to be part of the mainland. The current spelling came about because of a clerical error later.

The highest point on the island is named Mount Tempest, which, at 280 m, is reputedly the highest, stabilised, coastal sandhill in the world. Close to Mount Tempest is another large sandhill—Storm Mountain at 264 m. Only in Iran are there sandhills of comparable size, measuring up to 210 m from bases to crest.

Four small settlements exist on the western side of the island. The northern most of these is Bulwer near the north western corner of the island, whilst Cowan Cowan is approximately 4.5 kilometres further south. Approximately 6 kilometres further south lies Tangalooma Wild Dolphin Resort. This former whaling station features a Marine Education and Conservation Centre and is known for its dolphin feeding and wreck diving. Tangalooma is the main access point to the island with regular passenger ferry and vehicular barge services. The island's main airstrip is 1000 m long and lies between Cowan Cowan and Tangalooma. The other settlement is Kooringal which is located near the southern tip of the island. This township has its own 500 m airstrip and was serviced by a vehicular barge that ran to Amity Point on North Stradbroke Island until April 2009 when the barge was sold off due to limited business and high operation costs. A new vehicular barge called the Amity Trader now services the same route.

Fort Cowan Cowan, an old World War II bunker and fortification complex that was used to protect the approaches to Moreton Bay, is located north of Cape Cowan Cowan. The bar between the two islands is known as South Passage and is dangerous to cross in high seas.