Things to do in Moreton Island

Selected for Best Things to Do in Queensland

Moreton Island

Moreton Island lies off the southeast coast of Queensland, Australia, across Moreton Bay from Brisbane. It is the 3rd largest sand island in the world, and the vast majority of the island is designated as a national park. Because wild dolphins swim near the shore all year round, it has an affectionate nickname among Chinese-speaking tourists—"Dolphin Island." The Tangalooma resort on the west side of the island is named after the local language, meaning "place where fish gather," a name that still holds true today: at sunset, wild bottlenose dolphins swim to the jetty, following the lights, to wait for feeding. Resort guests can hand-feed the fish under the guidance of staff, and it is just as moving for onlookers standing on the jetty. In the morning, pelicans and cormorants arrive on the beach right on time to beg for breakfast. Beneath the water to the north of the resort lies a row of shipwrecks. These old ships, which were sunk successively in the last century, are now covered in coral and teeming with fish, making them a natural paradise for snorkeling enthusiasts. Interestingly, the site of the resort was once a whaling station, and the platform used to process whales back then still remains between the beach and the guest rooms. Every year, humpback whales migrate along the east coast of Australia and pass by the northern tip of the island; if you go out to sea, you have a chance to see them breaching and spouting water. Cape Moreton Lighthouse, at the northern end of the island, is one of the oldest surviving lighthouses in Queensland. The Blue Lagoon, surrounded by sand dunes, is a natural freshwater lake with crystal-clear water. It offers a quiet contrast to the vast ocean beach stretching along the east side of the island, each with its own unique charm. The island's signature experience is sandboarding: the interior of the sand island hides vast, exposed sand dunes. You need to transfer to a large 4WD vehicle and bump along deep ruts to reach them. Then, place the board under you, hold on tight, and dive down from the top of the steep sand slope, with sand waves hitting your face and a great sense of speed. You can reach the island in just over an hour by high-speed ferry from Brisbane. Activities such as snorkeling, scuba diving, sea fishing, sailing, and bushwalking are all available. It is worth setting aside 1 or 2 days to slowly experience the wild charm of this island, which is made almost entirely of sand.

Moreton Island National Park

Dolphin Island, Australia, officially known as Moreton Island, is a nature reserve in southeast Queensland, famous for its rich marine life and natural landscape. One of the popular activities on the island is interacting with wild dolphins. Visitors can participate in feeding at specific times and observe these smart marine creatures up close. In addition to dolphins, the island also has a variety of water activities such as snorkeling, diving and kayaking, suitable for tourists of all ages. The white and fine beaches of Dolphin Island are an ideal place to relax and enjoy the sun. There are many hiking routes on the island, and visitors can explore the inland dunes and forests to experience the tranquility and beauty of nature. There are various accommodation options, from comfortable resorts to camping sites, to meet the needs of different tourists. In terms of transportation, visitors can take a ferry from Brisbane, which takes about 75 minutes, which is convenient and fast. The island is well-equipped and has a rich dining selection, offering a variety of choices from simple meals to fine dining.

Tangalooma Wrecks

There is a shipwreck area near Dolphin Island. Many years ago, the Queensland government placed some abandoned shipwrecks here, hoping to build a temporary docking port for some small fishing boats, but unexpectedly found that this area is particularly favored by seabirds and marine fish. , slowly turned into a beautiful shipwreck kingdom, with flying sea birds and colorful fish, it has become a good place for tourists to explore the wonderland of the ocean. The best way to explore the Tangalooma wreck is to start a wreck diving trip. You can choose a wreck diving itinerary. Under the guidance of a professional guide, you can get in close contact with colorful fish, corals and other marine life in the clear water. .

Tangalooma Island Resort

A familiar experience for visitors to Tangalooma Island Resort is walking into the shallows at dusk to hand-feed wild bottlenose dolphins under the guidance of eco-rangers. These dolphins visit the shore year-round and have become a part of the resort's daily life. The nearby Tangalooma Wrecks, formed by several sunken ships, are now a snorkeling destination. The underwater area is home to a rich variety of fish, coral, and marine life such as sea turtles. You can get a glimpse of the bustling underwater scene by approaching by boat or kayak. Deep inside the island, there are sand dunes perfect for sand tobogganing or quad biking, where you can dash down the slopes and enjoy the thrill of speed. In addition to the activities mentioned above, the resort area also offers leisure facilities such as swimming pools, restaurants, and bars, as well as an eco-center where visitors can learn about local marine life. Travel to Tangalooma Island Resort is primarily via the resort-operated ferry, with convenient access to the terminal from downtown Brisbane and near the airport. Some activities on the island are subject to weather and tides, so it is recommended to confirm the daily schedule before you travel.

Tangalooma Wild Dolphin Feeding

No. 1 of Best Things to Do in Queensland

Gold Coast beach

Gold Coast beach stretches for approximately 70 km, and its golden sand is the defining feature of this coastline, from which the name "Gold Coast" is derived. The sand is fine and glows with a warm golden luster in the sunlight, while the seawater transitions from a shallow turquoise near the shore to a deep blue in the distance, creating distinct layers. The beach is lined with various sections, each with its own unique character; the northern section has a lively atmosphere, while the southern section is relatively quiet, catering to different preferences. Surfing is a quintessential, long-standing experience at this beach. The coastline features several well-known surf breaks, among which the "Superbank" near Snapper Rocks is famous for producing long, hollow waves, attracting large numbers of surfing enthusiasts year-round. The coastal walkway connects multiple beach sections, making it a great way to explore by walking or cycling. Located in a subtropical region, the area enjoys a mild climate and abundant sunshine, making it a suitable destination to visit all year round.

2026 Global 100 - Family-friendly Attractions

Warner Bros. Movie World

Warner Bros. Movie World is known as the "Hollywood of the Gold Coast" and is one of Australia's three famous major theme parks. The park is themed around Warner Bros.' films, DC superheroes, and Looney Tunes cartoon characters. Along both sides of Main Street, building exteriors from many classic films have been recreated, and iconic screen characters such as Batman and Superman appear before you at any time and place. Accompanied by Superman, you can experience an unprecedentedly thrilling crazy roller coaster. You can also encounter cartoon stars like Bugs Bunny by chance and relive the innocent sweetness of childhood! The park continuously updates its entertainment offerings, such as new stunt shows, which are sure to leave you exclaiming in amazement! △ Ride the thrilling and exciting Crazy Roller Coaster △ Interact with your favorite movie characters △ Watch the exciting and dynamic drift car show

2026 Global 100 - Night Attractions

SkyPoint Observation Deck

The SkyPoint Observation Deck is located at the top of the Q1 building in Surfers Paradise on the Gold Coast, situated on the 77th and 78th floors, approx. 230 m above the ground. It is one of the few coastal high-altitude observation decks in Australia. The Q1 building beneath was completed in 2005, standing over 300 m tall including its spire. It held the record as the world's tallest residential building for several years after its completion and remains a striking landmark on the Surfers Paradise skyline. △ 360° panoramic view of the entire Gold Coast, offering a full appreciation of the magnificent scenery of the sea, sky, and golden sandy beaches △ The elevator takes only 43 seconds to reach the 77th-floor observation deck of Q1 Tower, allowing travelers to quickly enter sightseeing mode △ SkyPoint Observation Deck is not only charming during the day,The night lights also make this a great spot to enjoy the Gold Coast night view

2026 Global 100 - Family-friendly Attractions

Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary

Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary is split in two by the Gold Coast Highway, with the two areas connected by a concrete tunnel. Established in 1947, the sanctuary was initially known for feeding wild rainbow lorikeets and has since gradually developed into a comprehensive park integrating animal exhibits, interactive experiences, and wildlife rescue. The kangaroo area is one of the core experience zones in the park, where kangaroos and emus roam freely within an open grassy enclosure, and visitors can feed and observe them up close. Koalas reside in a dedicated koala area, where visitors can walk into the koala habitat for close observation and have the opportunity to take photos with the koalas. The park is also home to Australian native species such as crocodiles, cassowaries, possums, echidnas, and dingoes. There is a wild lorikeet feeding experience every morning and evening, where flocks of rainbow lorikeets fly in and land on visitors' hands to feed—a signature activity the sanctuary has carried on to this day. The WildSkies free-flight bird show displays the flying skills of various bird species, and the Lost Valley area brings together tropical rainforest species such as red pandas, tree kangaroos, and capybaras. There is also an Aboriginal cultural performance every afternoon, presenting traditional dance and didgeridoo performances. The wildlife hospital in the park is also open to the public, where visitors can learn about wildlife rescue work through observation windows. △ Get up close and personal with Australia's native species △ Learn more about biology and geography △ Enjoy exciting performances held daily

2026 Global 100 - Family-friendly Attractions

Gold Coast Sea World

Gold Coast Sea World is a long-established marine theme park in Australia, located in the northern part of the Gold Coast. It combines marine animal exhibits, animal shows, and mechanical rides within a single park, so visitors can see animals and watch performances as well as enjoy thrilling attractions. Seeing animals is the main draw here: the penguin exhibit is home to king penguins and gentoo penguins, and through the viewing glass set against an icy landscape, visitors can watch them waddle about or dive into the water; Polar Bear Shores recreates the rocky shores and pools of an Arctic summer and is a rare place in Australia to see polar bears in person; in Shark Bay, sharks and rays swim in schools, and at the adjacent Ray Reef visitors can touch rays by hand; at Seal Harbor, Australian sea lions and fur seals either lie on the shore basking in the sun or chase and play in the water. The park hosts multiple dolphin shows and educational sea lion presentations every day, so it is recommended to confirm the day's time slots upon entry before planning the order of your visit, and remember to secure seats early before popular shows begin. Visitors bringing children should not miss Nickelodeon Land, where animated characters from SpongeBob SquarePants, Patrick Star, Dora the Explorer, and PAW Patrol meet and take photos with visitors; those who enjoy thrills can take on the wooden roller coaster Leviathan, the motorbike-style roller coaster Jet Rescue, and the Storm Coaster, which ends with a big splash. △ Meet your favorite animated characters △ Get close to marine life △ Experience thrilling rides