Are you planning your first trip to Moreton Island and wondering how to get there? Well, it’s a lot easier than you think!
I spent three days camping on the island and took the Micat car ferry to Moreton Island from Brisbane. It was a 90 minute journey and I’ve put together this guide on what you need to know (including other ways of getting to Moreton Island).
How to get to Moreton Island
Moreton Island is located off the coast of Brisbane in Queensland, Australia.
From Brisbane, you’ll need to catch a 90-minute ferry to Moreton Island.
You can either visit the island independently or take a day trip like this where all the logistics and activities are pre-arranged for you.
Ferry to Moreton Island
There are two ferries to Moreton Island from Brisbane.
1. Car Ferry + Walk-on | The Moreton Island Adventures Micat Ferry is for both vehicles and walk-on passengers. It departs from the Port of Brisbane.
2. Walk-on only | The Tangalooma Ferry goes to Tangalooma Resort and is for walk-on passengers only. It departs from Holt Street Wharf.
Here are more details about both options.
Micat Ferry (Car ferry + Walk-On)
If you’re looking for the best way to get to Moreton Island, it’s with the Moreton Island Adventures Ferry (Micat).
This is the main ferry to Moreton that takes walk-on passengers and 4wd vehicles.
The Micat ferry departs from 4 Howard Smith Drive, Port of Brisbane (Google Maps location here) and takes 90 minutes to arrive at the ferry landing point closest to Tangalooma Wrecks.
Prices for the ferry vary depending on which day you plan to travel. But expect to pay $76 per person for adults and $56 per child (return). If you’re travelling with a 4wd vehicle, you’ll need to pay an additional $120 for the return transfer for your vehicle.
Note: There are no roads on Moreton Island, so if you’re taking a car, it needs to be a high-clearance 4wd vehicle.
Parking is available at the Port of Brisbane for $20 per day. However, there are limited spaces, and bookings can’t be made in advance, so I recommend getting there early to secure a spot.
You can find out more information and the ferry schedule here.
Tangalooma Ferry
The Tangalooma Ferry is a passenger ferry that primarily serves hotel guests going to and from the Tangalooma Resort. However, they also cater to walk-on passengers who are visiting Moreton Island on a day trip from Brisbane.
It departs from Holt Street Wharf in Pinkenba (Google Maps location here) and arrives at Tangalooma Resort on Moreton Island. From here, you’ll need to walk about 1.5 km (30 minutes) along the beach to get to Tangalooma Wrecks.
There are different packages for hotel guests and day trip passengers. If you only visit for the day, the return ferry transfer will cost $95 per adult and $55 per child. This includes a day pass to the resort and a lunch voucher.
The Tangalooma ferry is slightly quicker than the Micat ferry but still takes 1 hour 15 minutes to get to Moreton Island.
If you plan on taking a day trip with the Tangalooma ferry, you can find out more here.
Secure parking is available at Holt Street Wharf and costs $20 daily.
READ MORE: THE BEST DAY TRIPS FROM BRISBANE
FAQs about how to get to Moreton Island
How long is the ferry to Moreton Island?
The ferry to Moreton Island takes 1.5 hours from the Port of Brisbane.
READ MORE: THE BEST WEEKEND TRIPS FROM GOLD COAST
Can I go to Moreton Island without a car?
Yes! You can take the passenger ferry and do a day trip to Tangalooma Wrecks on Moreton Island. You can also stay at Tangalooma Resort, which has easy access to all the most popular attractions on Moreton Island.
How to get to Moreton Island with a car
The Micat ferry departs from the port of Brisbane and is the only car ferry to Moreton Island. To drive on the island, you will need a 4wd vehicle and a vehicle access permit.
Do you have any questions about how to get to Moreton Island? Drop me a message in the comments section below!
Looking for more Queensland travel inspiration? Check out my other posts!
- Ultimate Guide to 4WD’ing on Fraser Island
- Moreton Island or Fraser Island: Which is Better?
- Ultimate Guide to Camping on Fraser Island
- Ultimate Guide to Camping on North Stradbroke Island
- 7 Best Walks in Girraween National Park
- 12 Best Wineries in Stanthorpe
- 10 Incredible Wineries in Scenic Rim
- Pros and Cons of Living on the Gold Coast
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I’m trying to book a campsite on Moreton Island just to go with a tent and the booking asks for the REGO. What should I put there if I’m not going with my car? Thank you very much for all the information you provide!!!
Hi Sofia,
If you have a car, your rego is required so that the staff can confirm that the owner of the vehicle has a booking and driving permit. If you aren’t taking a car, you can leave that section empty or email them and they will assist with making the booking on your behalf.
Carryn