The day trips, weekenders and anchorages worth knowing around Moreton Bay. Plainly written.
The southern gateway to Pumicestone.
The village at the southern tip of Bribie, sheltered inside the Pumicestone Passage. Public jetty, ramps, fuel, cafés and one of the easiest overnight destinations on the northern bay. A short run from Scarborough — a world away in pace.
35 km of protected water and sandbanks.
The narrow tidal passage between Bribie Island and the mainland. Sandbars, oyster leases and quiet backwaters run all the way north to Caloundra. Slow, shallow and beautiful — read the beacons, watch the tide and don't chase a shortcut across the flats.
The bay's classic sand-island village.
A tiny fishing settlement on the north-western tip of North Stradbroke — jetty, ramp, kiosk and a walk-around foreshore. Anchor off the point in settled weather, tender in for fish and chips, and watch the dolphins work Rainbow Channel.
The island's working front door.
The ferry port and main township on North Stradbroke's western side. Public jetty, cafés, pub and provisioning within a short walk, and a run of protected anchorages up and down the shore. A good staging point for a longer stay on the island.
The bay's north-eastern lighthouse.
The dramatic north-east tip of Moreton Island — sandstone cliffs, the state's oldest lighthouse and whale-watching country from June to October. Anchor off the western side in the lee, tender ashore and climb to the light. Exposed in anything but settled weather.
Moreton's northern sand cathedral.
A striking bank of yellow-ochre sand dunes at the northern tip of Moreton Island. Anchor off the beach in a westerly, walk the dunes and swim the clear northern bay water. Sunset here — with the mainland glowing across the bay — is one of the quiet great experiences in south-east Queensland.