Visiting the Tangalooma wrecks on Moreton Island, Queensland

Visiting the Tangalooma wrecks on Moreton Island, Queensland

The famous Tangalooma wrecks on Moreton Island are one of the most underrated locations in southeast Queensland. The anchor port was created by the sinking of several ships by the Queensland Government between 1963 and 1984. It has now been converted into an artificial reef rich in marine life.

A tourism success story

Tangalooma was the site of the largest land-based whaling operation in the Southern Hemisphere. This was also one of Australia's most brutal and bloody whaling operations, killing over 6250 humpback whales in just 10 years.

Fortunately, just 10 years after Tangalooma was built and whaling operations began, humpback whales were added to the protected species list. It is estimated that by 1965 only 500 individuals remained out of the estimated 15,000 in the original population. Many of the sunken ships that make up the Tangalooma wrecks happen to be old whaling ships.

Because of robust government interventions, humpback whale populations have recovered and are thriving. It is estimated that there are over 35,000 whales now making the annual migration along Australia's east and west coasts. Interestingly, it was estimated that whaling earned $32 million each year, while whale watching is now a $70 million industry across Australia.

Getting to the Tangalooma wrecks

Many people who visit Queensland seem to disregard Moreton Island as a destination. Perhaps this is due to its relative isolation compared to other island hotspots such as Fraser Island. However, getting there is relatively easy if you take a ferry from the Brisbane River. If you have a larger group and a QLD boating license, you can also rent a boat and reach Moreton Island yourself.

If you're looking for something simpler and more inclusive, I can't recommend this epic wreck snorkeling, kayaking, and sand dune tour enough. It's all adventure and lets you experience the best of Moreton Island and the famous Tangalooma shipwrecks.

Book now: Moreton Island Shipwreck, Sand Dune & Kayak 1 Day Adventure

While Moreton Island is fairly sheltered, the weather can change for the worse fairly quickly. If you don't have any experience on the water, I would recommend just taking the ferry.

I had spent 10 years of my childhood helping with our family project, Malaika, a 15-meter steel motor glider. It was built from scratch by my father in our garden. This meant they were lucky enough to be able to reach Tangalooma by sail. This freedom allows us to explore more remote coastal areas of Moreton Island, anchoring and staying overnight for free. If you have access to a boat I would definitely recommend it.

Tangalooma Wrecks Snorkeling

If you visit Tangalooma, snorkeling is a must!

The 15 Sunken Ships is one of my favorite snorkeling spots. At high tide, the deepest point of the wrecks is around 8 m. It is therefore easy to reach by freediving alone. If you are experienced, you can swim through the many portholes and explore the large cavities of the sunken ships.

Marine life

Moreton Island is a dugong sanctuary. If you look closely, there's a good chance you'll spot one. We also saw several pods of dolphins, wobbegongs and leopard sharks just by snorkeling around the wrecks. I was definitely surprised at how much marine life there was.

If you're spending the night on a boat or camping anywhere on Moreton Island, try to get out on the water early. We kayaked around the bay for sunrise and saw several sharks and manatees swimming in the crystal clear water.

Flying a drone in Tangalooma

The Tangalooma wrecks are one of my favorite places to see from the sky. You can get some pretty incredible shots of the wrecks lined up neatly in the turquoise water. A quick tip is to try to shoot when the sun is bright and high to get the best clarity and light in the water.

There are also helicopters that often fly past the wrecks. Keep your ears open for anything that might fly by.

Where to stay

It takes quite a long time to get to Tangalooma from the mainland. This means it is a must to stay at least one night to enjoy it. If you're traveling by car ferry, I'd definitely recommend finding a campsite or playing with Freedom Camping somewhere nearby. Just remember to clean up and take your trash with you.

If you arrive without a vehicle, it is also possible to set up a hammock camp under the stars on the beach. Make sure you bring some sort of insect repellent as the sand flies can get pretty brutal in the summer.

Another option is to stay at the nearby Tangalooma Beach Resort. The resort owns the beach and is a popular destination for many weddings and celebrations.

MORE QUEENSLAND

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