Moreton Island
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Moreton Island is a large sand island on the eastern side of Moreton Bay, on the coast of south-east Queensland, Australia. The island covers an area of approximately 170 square kilometres, and extends for 38 kilometres from north to south. Moreton Island lies 58 kilometres northeast of the Queensland capital, Brisbane. Access to the island is either via the Combie Trader barge service from Scarborough in Redcliffe City; or the Moreton Island Ferries vehicle ferry service (a.k.a. the MICAT) from the Port of Brisbane.
Established in 1966, 98% of Moreton Island is a National Park. Its managing authority is the Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service, and has a World Conservation Union (IUCN) category of II.
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[edit] Geology
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.
[edit] Topography
Most of the island is contained within the Moreton Island National Park. The highest point on the island is named Mount Tempest, which, at 278 metres, is reputedly the highest coastal sand dune in the world.
[edit] History
During World War II, a number of defense installations were installed on the island by the Royal Australian Navy and Australian Army. These sites included anti aircraft guns and mine control buildings. Their purpose was to protect the approaches to the port of Brisbane.
Between 1952 and 1962, Tangalooma, on the western side of the island, was the site of Queensland's only whaling station, with humpback whales being harvested on their annual migration north. The site of the whaling station is now the Tangalooma Wild Dolphin Resort. The flensing deck of the station still exists as part of the resort. The island is nowadays an attractive site for whale watching. Accommodation is available at the Tangalooma Wild Dolphin Resort.
[edit] Recreation
On Moreton Island, there are many activities to enjoy. For example, you can feed dolphins, snorkel in shipwrecks and parasail. Camping and four wheel driving is permitted and possible in many parts, with the appropriate fee. Motor vehicle access is by ferry, but is for four wheel drive vehicles only, as there are no sealed roads on the island.
There are more very large sand islands to the south, Stradbroke Island and North Stradbroke Island, and to the north; Bribie Island and Fraser Island (reputed to be the largest sand island on Earth).
[edit] New management plan
The Queensland Government will be implementing a new management plan called the Moreton Island Management Plan on 1 July 2007[1]. This plan includes a new camping booking system, designated routes for quads, trikes and trail bikes and other zoning which defines rules for access and recreational opportunities. The plan will incorporate existing fire management plans, pest and plant control measures and feral animal eradication programs.
[edit] Trivia
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- Moreton Island has no kangaroos or wallabies unlike North Stradbroke Island.
- A salt-water lagoon on the island was used as a temporary home to a dugong called Pig. Pig was the youngest dugong ever successfully reared in captivity [2]. The dugong was placed in the lagoon to increase its natural instincts before being released into the wild.
[edit] See also
[edit] References
| This article needs additional citations for verification. Please help improve this article by adding reliable references. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. (July 2007) |
- ^ Moreton Island Management Plan - EPA/QPWS. Retrieved 14 April 2007
- ^ Sea cow suffers in the wild. Retrieved 14 March 2007.
[edit] External links
- Moreton Island is at coordinates Coordinates: de:Moretoninsel
es:Parque Nacional Isla Moreton ja:モートン島 wuu:毛东岛
