MORETON ISLAND HABITAT

Moreton Island, its waterways, foreshores and tidal areas act as an important protection area for a great diversity of animals and plant life. There are special protection zones within the Moreton Bay Marine Park and Moreton Bay is listed under the United Nations Convention on Wetlands of International Importance. These initiatives help to protect and preserve the habitat that calls moreton home.

A diverse range of Turtles, Birds, dolphins, fish and whales all call Moreton home at various stages throughout the year. The bay is one of few important breeding areas for the ever increasingly rare Dugong and occasionally, although becoming more regular, loggerhead and green turtles come ashore to nest in the summer months. As well as these increasingly rare animals, Moreton’s surrounding waterways are home to myriads of fish species, dolphins, whales and sharks.

Moreton Island is also home to a wide variety of bird life with bird numbers flourishing between September and April when various migrating birds call moreton home. One of the most visible birds on the island is the sea eagle, which can be seen soaring above the island in search of prey in the waters and on the beaches below. The islands bush land is filled with bird life and it is an inspiring experience to sit back and listen to the bird chatter in their natural habitat.

Most of the Moreton Island is vegetated with fantastic thick forests, open woodlands, swamps and coastal dune areas. The island’s widespread forests are dominated by scribbly gum and pink bloodwood trees. The main swamp on Moreton is situated between Ben-Ewa and Comboyuro Point and is dominated by the paperbark Melaleuca trees. The majority of these areas can be encountered on a drive around the island as 4wd accessible sandy roads pass through most areas of the island.

To witness these natural wonders first hand, take an island tour