History Camping Moreton Island Fishing Flora and Fauna Access
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Camping is permitted along the beach History Moreton Island outside of the established areas, Moorgumpin meaning ‘place of Brisbane is fortunate in having on its provided a campsite with an access sandhills’ is the Aboriginal name for doorstep one of Australia’s largest sand already exists. Please observe the ‘No Moreton Island. It was first the home islands — Moreton Island. Camping' areas which are defined by to the Ngugi tribe of Aboriginals. They This 38 kilometre long island offers a signs. were a rather isolated culture with a landscape varying from sand dune Water is a valuable resource on the language of their own. They traded deserts and peaceful freshwater lakes to island and should be used sensibly. Head Office: Department of Environment and Resource Management freely with neighbouring tribes Cnr Main & Vulture Sts, Woolloongabba, Brisbane towering rugged sea cliffs and wide Apart from the five National Park GPO Box 2454, Brisbane, Qld 4001 however, and joined other tribes in ocean beaches. The attraction of such camping areas, fresh water is also Ph (07) 3896 3216, Fax (07) 3896 3510 south-east Queensland in the regular an outstanding wilderness area so close available from Blue Lagoon, Eagers migration to the Bunya Feast, at a site to Queensland’s capital has made the Creek and Spitfire Creek. These natural For all your regional and recreational map needs, Sunmap products are north-west of Toowoomba. available from Departmental business centres, distributors and selected Cape Moreton Lighthouse island an increasingly popular water bodies serve the entire island and retailers throughout Queensland or the Queensland Government Europeans first had knowledge of destination for holiday-makers, anglers must not be polluted with soaps, Bookshop at: www.bookshop.qld.gov.au. Moreton Island when Lieutenant James After the lighthouse settlements, and boat owners. human wastes or rubbish. The use of Moreton’s next influx came during To view the complete range of products and services, visit our home Cook sailed the Endeavour up the east In its lifetime, Moreton has known soaps, detergents and shampoos in or page at: www.derm.qld.gov.au. coast of Australia in May, 1770. He World War II when the Australian near any creek or lake will cause Army established two large defence many roles and many peoples. Once named ‘Morton Bay’ and ‘Cape Morton’ home to Aboriginals, Moreton has serious ecological damage. after the then president of the Royal battery complexes at Cowan Cowan and Fort Rous. All that remains of acted as a refuge to shipwrecked Water is less plentiful in the southern Society in Britain. Matthew Flinders sailors, warning light to shipping and areas and it is a good idea to always discovered that the Cape was actually these war years are some concrete bunkers, the old navy signal station been a strategic defence post. It was carry some with you. Water points are part of an island in 1799. He named Queensland’s only whaling station but located at the Big Sandhills on the west this island Moreton Island, using the and some army buildings which now house the Moreton Bay Boat Club and more recently has become recognised coast and the Rous Battery on the east. misspelling which appeared in one of as an unspoilt paradise for people Cook’s journals. holiday makers. The island’s vegetation is very wanting to relax and enjoy nature. susceptible to fire damage. Whenever Weipa Distance from Brisbane In 1823, Thomas Pamphlet and two A world-wide demand for whale oil Tangalooma Resort – 35km Sand islands like Moreton are among possible use fuel or gas stoves in other men were wrecked on Moreton saw the development of the Tangalooma Whaling Station in 1951. the most fragile environments in the preference to an open fire. When an when their open boat was blown off world. Their vegetation and sands are open fire is necessary, wood must be course while sailing from Sydney to Quotas of 600, and later 660 whales per season, kept a control of the number of forever at the mercy of the elements brought from the mainland or Illawarra to trade for cedar. They were and mankind. By respecting the purchased from the Bulwer garage – Mareeba Cairns whales taken. As technology Atherton helped by the Aboriginals and later Innisfail environment and showing firewood must not be collected on South Johnstone improved, these quotas were filled in Burketown rescued on the mainland by John consideration towards other people, Moreton Island. Build only small camp Georgetown Oxley. This was white-man’s first just two months of the season which Townsville you will ensure that the natural world fires and keep combustible materials, Ayr direct encounter with Moreton Island. lasted from June to October. Charters Towers of Moreton Island will remain unspoilt particularly tents, well clear of the fire. Mount Cloncurry Hughenden Isa The first organised settlement of the Towards the late 1950s, whaling for generations to come. Please remember to extinguish your Mackay became less viable. The emergence of Moranbah island wasn’t until the wreck of the fire when finished, and never leave it Winton Sovereign in 1847. The loss of 44 lives vegetable oils and the declining Boulia unattended when burning. Rockhampton number of whales in the South Pacific Longreach Emerald highlighted the danger of the South Camping showed that Tangalooma’s whaling Should a bush fire emergency arise, Blackall Biloela Passage Bar, and the northern end of contact the National Park office. Tambo days were numbered. The station One of the main attractions of Moreton Bundaberg Moreton became the main gateway to (phone 3408 2710 or the emergency Birdsville Moreton Moreton Bay. The Amity pilot station closed in August, 1962. The buildings Island is as a place to retreat and relax. Miles only number 3835 9903). There are Charleville Roma Nambour Island on North Stradbroke Island was then were bought by a Brisbane syndicate Many visitors seek nothing more than BRISBANE three volunteer brigades located at shifted to Bulwer, bringing the first the following year and Tangalooma to camp by the beach and enjoy a quiet Thargomindah Cunnamulla Toowoomba Gold holiday. There are five established Bulwer, Cowan Cowan and Kooringal. Goondiwindi Coast European residents in 1848. The Resort opened in December, 1963. station closed in 1909. camping areas controlled by the The importance of Moreton Island as a Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service. Cape Moreton lighthouse, which is recreation and conservation area has Queensland’s oldest lighthouse, was been well recognised by the Blue Lagoon and North Point camping built in 1857 by 35 civil prisoners. Queensland Government which has areas are almost on the ocean beach Sandstone blocks, quarried less than a adopted the findings of a major public with Comboyuro Point, Ben-ewa, and Produced and published by kilometre away were used. It still inquiry, the Cook Report, as the basis The Wrecks catering for those who Spatial Information beams its warning out to sea, although for the future planning, development prefer the quieter waters. All have Department of Environment and Resource Management ISBN 978-1742300580 water, toilets and showers. The Queensland Government the original 21 kerosene lamps have and management of the island. An been replaced by a fully automatic administrative centre for the island has camping areas can only accommodate Edition 8, July 2010 electric beam. Seven lighthouses been established north of The Wrecks limited numbers. Permits are required to provide day to day management of to camp anywhere on the island. These Photography by Tourism Queensland operated on Moreton in the 1920s. Today there are only two, forming an the growing National Park area which, can be obtained from the barge Cover photograph: Driving up from eastern beach 9 7 8 1 7 4 2 3 0 0 5 8 0 at present, stands at 98% of the Island. operators or from the rangers on integral part of the network of Relaxing at North Point navigation aids serving Moreton Bay. Moreton Island. Fees are charged. island. Goats and pigs were brought to Flora and Fauna the island in 1865 to provide food for The Environmental Code Moreton Island contains a landscape of shipwrecked sailors. These animals wind-swept sand dune country, rocky have caused much of the erosion of - for your safety and enjoyment headlands, lakes, streams, paperbark the dune areas by trampling and The Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service welcomes you to Moreton Island and swamps, banksia heathland and feeding on the delicate vegetation hopes your stay will be enjoyable. By following these common-sense rules, you mangrove and salt marshes. which protects the beach sands from can play your part in protecting this beautiful and unique island. Vegetation along the vast ocean beach the elements. All the goats have now is typical of coastal south-east been removed from the island. Water • Freshwater points are provided at various locations around the island Queensland. The sandy foredunes Few trees survive in the wind-battered (refer to map on reverse side). Boil water before drinking or cooking. support spinifex grass closest to the coastal strip from Reeders Point to Camping • Permits are a mandatory and can be obtained from either the barge waters edge and creepers hold the sand Cape Moreton, but beyond its beaches operators before arrival, or the Rangers on the island. together higher up the dunes. and swamp areas, Moreton Island is • Don’t camp within 50 metres of freshwater lakes, lagoons and creeks. The beaches are also rich in fauna. covered in dense vegetation. Inland • areas are heavily shrouded in closed Don’t drive over foredunes to reach your campsite and use only Eugaries (pipis) and beach shellfish are established tracks.