Imagine waking up to a day on the Southern end of Moreton Island where it really turned it on with blue skies, hot temperatures, and a clear ocean view, oh, hang on...we don’t have to imagine! Heading south from our campsite, it wasn’t long before the soft sand started causing havoc and Chris found himself belly deep on the Cowan Cowan Bypass. 

Recovery at Cowan Cowan Bypass 

When you have hit the tracks as many times as we have, you learn a lot on the job like the safest and most effective ways to drive in certain conditions. Living in Australia means we are well accustomed to sand and all its glory, and you best believe that when it’s soft, there is no time to waste; momentum is everything; Chris just didn’t quite have enough of it this time around. 

An unexpected recovery: Schoolies edition 

The best part about Middle Road is that it has been split into two separate tracks making it a dream to travel along without oncoming traffic. The dream didn’t last too long before we came across a few stuck campers. While it wasn’t intentional, we timed our trip on Moreton Island with the end of the school year for 2020 and were met by a group of boys caught in a tough situation on Middle Road, headed surf-side. Call it fate, but after three attempts to get unstuck, they managed to get free and were on the tracks in no time with a bit of good old fashioned muscle power.  

Fresh eats at Gutter Bar 

Fast-forward a few hours and we’d headed all the way south into short point, Kooringal track, and the soft sand hadn’t been left in the rear-view mirror just yet. A few recoveries later and we were well on our way to the infamous Gutter Bar.  

The ultimate spot to relax, take in the fresh sea-breeze, and get our fill of the freshest and biggest prawns we’ve had in a long time. If you’re looking for a break from the sun on Moreton, you cannot go past the Gutter Bar to take a couple of hours to kick-back and take it all in. 

 Moreton Bay Rock Oysters, a must see eat 

If the enormous prawns weren’t enough, the crew wanted to head a little further south to experience more fresh produce in the form of Moreton Bay Rock Oysters and we’re glad we went the extra distance! For the freshest, tastiest, local seafood, Moreton Island is where the magic happens and if you make your way to the island, we’d go so far as to say the oysters are a must. With 4 million oysters on the farm at any one time, this is one of the biggest farms in Australia and the best part is they’ve even won awards for sustainable farming practices in the industry. 

Snorkeling the shipwrecks 

A trip to Moreton Island would not be complete without a snorkel around the shipwrecks which are home to a variety of species of reef fish, coral formations and marine life. You can either hire gear or bring your own to explore the crystal-clear water and colourful coral underneath the surface but it’s the perfect way to spend a few hours cooling down and seeing the beauty Queensland has to offer. 

Moreton Island is an absolute must-do whether you’re a local to Queensland or travelling from interstate or overseas. With activities for everyone, it makes planning a trip a piece of cake thanks to the variety available. Whether you’re a seriously adventurous traveller, or you want to take things a little slower and enjoy the time away from the hustle and bustle, Moreton Island has got you covered.