I can’t believe it took me 20 years to get to Moreton Island. I’d heard of it, sure. It seems almost everyone in Brisbane has been for a day trip or a weekend away camping. However, I’d never prioritised it as something I had to see. It’s easy to take for granted something that is so close to home and I’ve been very guilty of engaging more with foreign countries than with my own. I’m changing this little by little as I explore more of my own beautiful state of Queensland and over the weekend I visited one of the most stunning places I’ve ever been. 

It seems ridiculous that I recently spent 24 hours in transit after ending a five-week trip in the Greek Islands, yet the idyllic island I’d been dreaming of is only an hour away from home. I had planned so much of my recent Europe trip that I purposefully didn’t take too many sneak peaks at the Greek Islands before I went.  Mykonos, Santorini and Patmos are all gorgeous but I was secretly disappointed in the rugged terrain of the volcanic islands. I’d heard they were the ultimate island holiday destination, a new level of beauty and bliss.

They were stunning, but none were the beach paradise I’d been imagining. I’ve been spoilt growing up in Queensland, because when I hear “island” I assume “sand, sunshine & surf” comes with it. The Greek Islands were beautiful, but for the biggest and third-biggest sand islands in the world I only need to look to nearby Fraser Island and Moreton Island. Yet another reason I love Queensland.

For me, Moreton Island is the perfect island escape…and it’s only an hour’s boat ride from home.

I’m already planning a trip back to Moreton in a few months!

Moreton Island is a pristine sand island just off the coast of Brisbane. It’s known for the many shipwrecks dotted in the shallow water surrounding the island, being a prime camping spot and for Tangalooma Resort where you can feed wild dolphins.  I’m glad we took the Jeep so we could stay up in Bulwer at Castaways beach cottages, which is much quieter and less commercialised than the busy Tangalooma area.

As the entire island is sand, sandy tracks replace traditional roads. Sedans need not apply. Daytrippers or non-4WDers can get a transfer from the boat to their accommodation, but it was great having the freedom to drive across the island during our stay. Castaways is near a beautiful beach, so you could still have a lovely beach break without the need for a car, if you were happy to stay put.

I can’t believe I waited so long to visit! I’ve never been to Fraser Island, just off Hervey Bay, either and it’s been years since I visited the beautiful Stradbroke Island which is also a short boat trip from Brisbane. I have a busy summer ahead!

What is the most beautiful island you’ve visited?

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Genevieve Lauren

Hello! I’m an Australian travel blogger, living in Melbourne, Australia. I grew up in Brisbane, studied in Paris, lived & worked in New York City and now live in Melbourne, Australia.

I love sharing specific and useful recommendations, itineraries and guides for the most beautiful things to see, do, experience & eat wherever I go.

My favourite travel destinations are Australia, New York City & surrounds, France, Greece & Japan, but I’m always excited to explore somewhere new!

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