Moreton Island camping is ideal for beach lovers & families hoping to have an idyllic island camping experience away from the hustle & bustle of the city.
It’s as simple as hopping on the MICAT ferry from the Port of Brisbane & arriving at the doorstep of the Tangalooma Wrecks where you will likely spend a day or two soaking up the sunshine & exploring the underwater world through snorkelling.
Whether you want a private campground with an oceanview, a family camping trip full of adventure or an island to relax on, Moreton Island is perfect for all of these scenarios!
Here’s everything you need to know before camping at Moreton Island.
1. How To Get To Moreton Island
2. Do I Need Any Vehicle Permits
3. Where To Camp On Moreton Island
4. What To See On Moreton Island
1. How To Get To Moreton Island
MICAT ferries departs from the Port of Brisbane daily, embarking at the Tangalooma Wrecks at Moreton Island.
You can book your ferry on the Moreton Island Adventures website with a few easy clicks.
2. Do I Need Any Permits?
You will need a camping permit and a vehicle access permit for Moreton Island. Vehicle permits can be purchased as you book your ferry, or alternatively you can book this through this website.
These permits can also be purchased on the MICAT ferry if required.
As at March 2020, the fees for these vehicle access permits are as follows;
Vehicle Access Permits:
- Up to one month ($52.75 per vehicle)
- More than one month (up to 1 year) ($265.30 per vehicle).
3. Where To Camp on Moreton Island
There are many camping sites on Moreton Island for you to choose from. My personal favourite is camping along the north-west camping zone, but each camping spot has its own advantages!
Camping along the western side of Moreton Island gives you the bayside camping experience, whereas the eastern side of the island boasts bigger waves for beach lovers.
Camping spots to check out include the following.
- The Wrecks Campground
- Ben-Ewa Campground
- Blue-Lagoon Campground
- Comboyuro Point Campground
- North-West Zone
- North-East Zone
- North-Point Zone
- South-West Zone
- South-East Zone
- Yellow Patch Zone
Moreton Island Campground Information
| Items | The Wrecks | Ben-Ewa | Blue-Lagoon |
| Location | Located next to sheltered bay near main barge landing point | Located at the western side of the island & only a short drive from the barge | Located at the eastern side of the island within walking distance to Blue Lagoon and easy access to the beach |
| Access | Access with 4WD or boat or walk-in. Cars to be parked in parking bays | Access with 4WD. Cars to be parked near or beside campsites. Accessible for camper trailers. | Access with 4WD or experienced bushwalkers on foot. Parking next to campsites. Accessible for camper trailers. If accessing with trailer, recommended to use Bulwer-Blue Lagoon Road for access instead of Middle Road. |
| Number of Sites | 21 marked camping sites | 12 marked camping sites | 25 marked camping sites |
| Campsite Surface | Sand | Sand | Sand |
| Facilities | Untreated water, Hybrid toilets, cold showers & toilets | Untreated water, hybrid toilets, portable toilet waste disposal, cold showers & wifi hotspot. | Untreated water, septic toilets & cold showers |
| Open Fires | Prohibited | Allowed in existing fire sites (Except when fire bans apply) | Allowed in existing fire sites (Except when fire bans apply) |
| Generator Use | Not permitted | Not permitted | Not permitted |
| Book | Book Now | Book Now | Book Now |
| Items | The Wrecks |
Ben-Ewa |
Blue-Lagoon |
| Location | Located next to sheltered bay near main barge landing point | Located at the western side of the island & only a short drive from the barge | Located at the eastern side of the island within walking distance to Blue Lagoon and easy access to the beach |
| Access | Access with 4WD or boat or walk-in. Cars to be parked in parking bays | Access with 4WD. Cars to be parked near or beside campsites. Accessible for camper trailers. | Access with 4WD or experienced bushwalkers on foot. Parking next to campsites. Accessible for camper trailers. If accessing with trailer, recommended to use Bulwer-Blue Lagoon Road for access instead of Middle Road. |
| Number of Sites | 21 marked camping sites | 12 marked camping sites | 25 marked camping sites |
| Campsite Surface | Sand | Sand | Sand |
| Facilities | Untreated water, Hybrid toilets, cold showers & toilets | Untreated water, hybrid toilets, portable toilet waste disposal, cold showers & wifi hotspot. | Untreated water, septic toilets & cold showers |
| Open Fires | Prohibited | Allowed in existing fire sites (Except when fire bans apply) | Allowed in existing fire sites (Except when fire bans apply) |
| Generator Use | Not permitted | Not permitted | Not permitted |
| Book | Book Now | Book Now | Book Now |
Moreton Island Campground Information Continued…
| Items | Comboyuro Point | North-West Zone | North-East Zone |
| Location | Located at the western side of the island within walking distance to the Bulwer township | Located at the western side of the island between Ben-Ewa and Comboyuro Point | Located at the eastern side of the island from Middle Rd to Spitfire Creek. |
| Access | Access with 4WD or by foot. Cars to be parked beside campsites. Accessible for camper trailers. | Access with 4WD. Cars to be parked beside campsites. Accessible for camper trailers. | Access with 4WD or experienced bushwalkers on foot. Parking next to campsites. Accessible for camper trailers. If accessing with trailer, recommended to use Bulwer-Blue Lagoon Road for access instead of Middle Road |
| Number of Sites | 49 marked camping sites | 76 marked camping sites | 89 marked camping sites |
| Campsite Surface | Sand | Sand | Sand |
| Facilities | Untreated water, septic toilets, rubbish bins, portable toilet waste disposal & cold showers | None. Camping area offers sheltered bay waters. Campers to bring a portable toilet for extended stays. | None. Camping area offers surf beaches. Campers to bring a portable toilet for extended stays. |
| Open Fires | Allowed in existing fire sites (Except when fire bans apply) | Allowed in existing fire sites (Except when fire bans apply) | Allowed in existing fire sites (Except when fire bans apply) |
| Generator Use | Not permitted | Permitted. Requested that they are only used between 8am -7pm | Permitted. Requested that they are only used between 8am -7pm |
| Book | Book Now | Book Now | Book Now |
| Items | Comboyuro Point | North-West Zone | North-East Zone |
| Location | Located at the western side of the island within walking distance to the Bulwer township | Located at the western side of the island between Ben-Ewa and Comboyuro Point | Located at the eastern side of the island from Middle Rd to Spitfire Creek. |
| Access | Access with 4WD or by foot. Cars to be parked beside campsites. Accessible for camper trailers. | Access with 4WD. Cars to be parked beside campsites. Accessible for camper trailers. | Access with 4WD or experienced bushwalkers on foot. Parking next to campsites. Accessible for camper trailers. If accessing with trailer, recommended to use Bulwer-Blue Lagoon Road for access instead of Middle Road |
| Number of Sites | 49 marked camping sites | 76 marked camping sites | 89 marked camping sites |
| Campsite Surface | Sand | Sand | Sand |
| Facilities | Untreated water, septic toilets, rubbish bins, portable toilet waste disposal & cold showers | None. Camping area offers sheltered bay waters. Campers to bring a portable toilet for extended stays. | None. Camping area offers surf beaches. Campers to bring a portable toilet for extended stays. |
| Open Fires | Allowed in existing fire sites (Except when fire bans apply) | Allowed in existing fire sites (Except when fire bans apply) | Allowed in existing fire sites (Except when fire bans apply) |
| Generator Use | Not permitted | Permitted. Requested that they are only used between 8am -7pm | Permitted. Requested that they are only used between 8am -7pm |
| Book | Book Now | Book Now | Book Now |
Moreton Island Campground Information Continued…
| Items | North-Point Zone | South-West Zone | South-East Zone | Yellow Patch Zone |
| Location | Located at the northern point of the island between Yellow Patch & Cape Moreton | Located at the western side of the island from Tangalooma Bypass to Toulkerrie. | Located at the eastern side of the island between Middle Road & Rous Battery. | Located at western side of island between North Point and Heath Island. |
| Access | Access with 4WD. Cars to be parked a short distance from campsites. 4 campsites suitable for camper trailers. | Access with 4WD, boat, on foot & kayaks. Cars can only be parked next to some campsites due to tides. Some sites suitable for camper trailers. | Access with 4WD or experienced bushwalkers on foot. Parking next to campsites. Accessible for camper trailers. If accessing with trailer, recommended to use Bulwer-Blue Lagoon Road for access. | Access with 4WD only. Parking available beside campsites. Accessible for camper trailers. |
| Number of Sites | 21 marked campsites | 24 marked campsites | 35 marked campsites | 14 marked campsites |
| Campsite Surface | Grass | Sand | Sand | Sand |
| Facilities | Untreated water, Hybrid toilets, cold showers & pedestrian access to surf beach. | None. Camping area offers sheltered bay waters. Campers to bring a portable toilet for extended stays. | None. Camping area offers surf beaches. Campers to bring a portable toilet for extended stays. | None. Camping area offers surf beaches. Campers to bring a portable toilet for extended stays. |
| Open Fires | Prohibited | Allowed in existing fire sites (Except when fire bans apply) | Allowed in existing fire sites (Except when fire bans apply) | Allowed in existing fire sites (Except when fire bans apply) |
| Generator Use | Not permitted | Permitted. Requested that they are only used between 8am -7pm | Permitted. Requested that they are only used between 8am -7pm | Permitted. Requested that they are only used between 8am -7pm |
| Book | Book Now | Book Now | Book Now | Book Now |
| Items | North-Point Zone | South-West Zone |
| Location | Located at the northern point of the island between Yellow Patch & Cape Moreton | Located at the western side of the island from Tangalooma Bypass to Toulkerrie. |
| Access | Access with 4WD. Cars to be parked a short distance from campsites. 4 campsites suitable for camper trailers. | Access with 4WD, boat, on foot & kayaks. Cars can only be parked next to some campsites due to tides. Some sites suitable for camper trailers. |
| Number of Sites | 21 marked campsites | 24 marked campsites |
| Campsite Surface | Grass | Sand |
| Facilities | Untreated water, Hybrid toilets, cold showers & pedestrian access to surf beach. | None. Camping area offers sheltered bay waters. Campers to bring a portable toilet for extended stays. |
| Open Fires | Prohibited | Allowed in existing fire sites (Except when fire bans apply) |
| Generator Use | Not permitted | Permitted. Requested that they are only used between 8am -7pm |
| Book | Book Now | Book Now |
| Items | South-East Zone | Yellow Patch Zone |
| Location | Located at the eastern side of the island between Middle Road & Rous Battery. | Located at western side of island between North Point and Heath Island. |
| Access | Access with 4WD or experienced bushwalkers on foot. Parking next to campsites. Accessible for camper trailers. If accessing with trailer, recommended to use Bulwer-Blue Lagoon Road for access. | Access with 4WD only. Parking available beside campsites. Accessible for camper trailers. |
| Number of Sites | 35 marked campsites | 14 marked campsites |
| Campsite Surface | Sand | Sand |
| Facilities | None. Camping area offers surf beaches. Campers to bring a portable toilet for extended stays. | None. Camping area offers surf beaches. Campers to bring a portable toilet for extended stays. |
| Open Fires | Allowed in existing fire sites (Except when fire bans apply) | Allowed in existing fire sites (Except when fire bans apply) |
| Generator Use | Permitted. Requested that they are only used between 8am -7pm | Permitted. Requested that they are only used between 8am -7pm |
| Book | Book Now | Book Now |
4. How Much Does Camping Cost?
As Moreton Island is a national park, the camping fees is minimal which is why it is such an affordable camping location for families. The camping permits for Moreton Island are as follows;
- $6.65 per person per night, or $26.60 per family per night;
- $3.65 per person per night. This applies to students and accompanying adults on approved educational excursions.
5. What To Do On Moreton Island
Swimming, Snorkelling & Diving
- Tangalooma Wrecks: swim, snorkel or dive
- Flinders Reef: swim, snorkel or dive
- Blue Lagoon: swim in the freshwater lake
Boating & Fishing
- Fishing is permitted in designated zones at Moreton Island. Refer to the Moreton Bay Marine Park Map and Moreton Bay Marine Park User Guide for information on where you are permitted to fish.
Walking Tracks
- Blue Lagoon (Easy Grade – 500m return)
- Honeyeater Lake (Easy Grade – 60m return)
- Cape Moreton (Moderate Grade – 1.5km return)
- The Desert (Moderate Grade – 4km circuit)
- Five Hills Lookout (Moderate Grade – 1km return)
- Mount Tempest Lookout (Difficult Grade – 2.5km return)
- Telegraph Road (Difficult Grade – 16km return)
- Rous Battery Track (Moderate Grade – 9.8km one way)
View the park map outlining the walking tracks.
Other Places To See
- Follow the Cape Moreton track to view Queensland’s first lighthouse (build in 1857). Great viewing point for whale watching (June to November). ‘
- Honeymoon Bay is located at the northern point of the island and is perfect for a beach day or a relaxing picnic.
6. Moreton Island Hot Tips
- Bring water containers (filled with fresh water) and water sterilisation tablets
- Bring your own firewood or purchase from barge departure points of Bulwer General Store
- Buy ice, milk, bread & other convenience items from Bulwer General Store
- Don’t forget your sand pegs to keep your camping equipment locked down
- Remember your snorkelling gear to explore the Tangalooma Wrecks
7. Moreton Island Maps & Frequently Asked Questions
- Moreton Island Camping Areas Locality Map
- Moreton Island Campgrounds Map
- Moreton Island Frequently Asked Questions