MORETON ISLAND BRISBANE QUEENSLAND PHOTOS

 

SWITCHBANKS PRESENTING THE WRECKS MORETON BAY

 

Moreton Island is a large sand island on the eastern side of Moreton Bay, on the coast of south-east Queensland, Australia. Moreton Island lies 58 kilometres northeast of the Queensland capital, Brisbane. The island is a popular destination for four wheel driving, camping, recreational angling and whale watching.

 

LIVE BRISBANE MORETON BAY TAKEN UPDATED EVERY MINUTE

OR LIVE MARINE OCEAN MORETON BAY - KINGS BEACH CAM

 

The island covers an area of approximately 170 square kilometres, and extends for 38 kilometres from north to south.

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.

 

 

The highest point on the island is named Mount Tempest, which, at 278 metres, is reputedly the highest coastal sand dune in the world

 

 

While James Cook named the main headland on the island Cape Moreton, it was Matthew Flinders who, on the 31 July 1799, named the island

 

 

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.

 

 

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. The dugong was placed in the lagoon to increase its natural instincts before being released into the wild.

 

Located near Brisbane Queensland Australia