Brisbane · Overnight Anchorages

Where to drop the pick for the night

Shelter, holding and local know-how for the classic overnighters around Brisbane. Always check the forecast before you commit.

Anchorage 01

Horseshoe Bay (Peel Island)

The bay's classic overnighter.

The postcard anchorage of Moreton Bay — curved sand, turquoise water and clear-bottom sand holding. Best in a westerly and settled southerly, uncomfortable in a strong NE. Marine park green zone starts at the eastern headland — stay well clear of the line. Get in early on long weekends.

Holding

Sand — good, clear bottom

Shelter

Best in W to SW; exposed to strong NE

Good for

Weekend classicsSnorkellingFamily swimsFirst overnight

Anchorage 02

Tangalooma (Moreton Island)

Sunset behind the wrecks.

Anchor south of the Tangalooma Wrecks in sand, in the lee of Moreton Island. A brilliant westerly anchorage — dunes at your back and open bay in front. The sunset over the mainland is worth the run. Watch the swing when the NE builds overnight.

Holding

Sand — good

Shelter

Best in E to SE; exposed to strong NW to SW

Good for

Sunset anchoragesSnorkelling the wrecksBay overnightersRafting up

Anchorage 03

Bulwer (Moreton Island)

The quiet end of Moreton.

A protected stretch on the north-western side of Moreton Island, past Cowan Cowan. Sand holding, room to swing, a small settlement ashore and consistent sunset views. Less crowded than Tangalooma and a good base for a run up to the top of the island.

Holding

Sand — good

Shelter

Best in E to SE; some N protection

Good for

Quieter overnightsLonger staysFishing the drop-offsSundown drinks

Anchorage 04

Kooringal (South Moreton)

Southern Moreton hideaway.

Tucked into the southern end of Moreton Island, sheltered from the north by the island itself and popular with locals who cross from Amity or the Rous Channel. Sand and shell holding, small community ashore and easy access to the eastern beach. Watch the tide across the flats.

Holding

Sand and shell — set firmly

Shelter

Best in N to NE; exposed to strong S

Good for

Weekend escapesBeach walksFishing the bayQuieter stays

Anchorage 05

Green Island

Small mangrove island, huge shelter.

A tiny mangrove island just off Wellington Point that offers surprisingly good shelter for a short overnight. Sand and mud holding on the western side, a walk-across at low tide, and one of the easiest overnighters within a short run of Manly or Wynnum. Not the same island as its Cairns namesake — this one's your local secret.

Holding

Sand and mud — good

Shelter

Best in E; some protection all round

Good for

First overnightersQuick escapesFamily staysKids ashore at low tide

Anchorage 06

Mud Island

The bay's coral cay.

A low, mangrove-fringed cay ringed by reef, roughly halfway between Manly and Moreton. Anchor in sand off the western side in settled weather — the reef breaks the swell but the anchorage is exposed in a blow. Snorkelling on the reef edge is worth the trip.

Holding

Sand — good in patches, avoid the reef

Shelter

Best in settled conditions; exposed in any strong wind

Good for

Day-anchor lunchesSnorkellingSettled-weather staysSomething different

Anchorage 07

Cabbage Tree Creek (Shorncliffe)

Bad-weather bolt-hole on the mainland.

When the bay's up, Cabbage Tree Creek at Shorncliffe offers a run of protected anchor spots between the moorings and the mangroves. Mud holding, minimal fetch and the marina, ramp and cafés a short dinghy away. Watch the tide and stay clear of the moored fleet and channel markers.

Holding

Mud — good

Shelter

Excellent — all directions in heavy weather

Good for

Bad-weather refugeOvernight before an early runRiver exploring

Got a favourite overnighter we've missed? Email the Brisbane chapter to add yours.