With four core business units including cruise transfers, accommodation on Moreton Island, educational camps and day tours, Moreton Island Adventures began quite by accident.

When Shirley and Neville Hawkins decided to build a little holiday shack on Moreton Island over 40 years ago, little did they realize their importance in opening up this most pristine environment to the public. They already owned and managed a very successful freight cartage business and following on from this, the provision of transfer services over to Moreton Island  began as a result of a few simple requests for help.  It is because of the Hawkins family, that this idyllic island has grown as an iconic, natural environment that offers ultimate seclusion and relaxation.

Shirley Hawkins recalls...

"Well it was the kids fault again. We had a boat we used to carry them over to Moreton Island and they asked if we could carry this or cart that over to the island. Neville  agreed and before we knew it, we were transferring people and freight over to the island. Local island  residents and businesses were beginning to rely upon us for assistance with the cartage of goods.  Passengers were collected at Toowong, Mowbray Park, Hamilton and Lytton and transferred across on board the Malahini.

Being a very small vessel, she could not cope with the growing demand so she was soon replaced by the Rigil Kent, a larger vessel. Next came the Moreton Venture 1 which was a timber crafted boat, soon to be replaced by the Moreton Venture 2 which was a vessel capable of landing on the beach. Due to the demand, this vessel could carry 21 cars and 150 passengers, a far cry from the Malahini which could only carry 28.

Moreton Venture 3 was launched in 1986 and this vessel could carry 38 cars and 270 passengers. Again, with demand ever increasing, in 2004 the latest Hawkins vessel was custom designed and placed in service. The Micat is a stunning ship; 58 metres long and 16 metres wide. Micat is one of Australia’s finest passenger and vehicular ships. Carrying over 400 passengers and 52 4WD vehicles, boats, trailers etc, the Micat allows passengers to cruise in absolute comfort in very sophisticated and elegant surroundings.

The Hawkins children, Anne, Kerry and Rosalind (Roz) have grown up with a profound affinity with Moreton Island, so much so, they are actively involved in the family business. Roz Shaw (nee Hawkins) now proudly heads the Hawkins Organisation, while Kerry Seymour and Anne Davies continue to play an integral part as well.

While growing up, their stories of Moreton Island and working on the various vessels for their parents, is quite simply breathtaking. Kerry Seymour relates one story

"I would have been about 16 years of age and I had to manage the store on Moreton Island as well as look after my little sister Roz. Often my parents had to take the boat back to Brisbane so we would be left on the island on our own. One New Years Eve, my father came across with some much needed fuel for the island's residents. It was a high tide and very dark. Dad rolled the 44 gallon drums into the water and I had to swim these back to the beach and then roll them up over a hump and into the store. I was due to go out to a New Years Eve party and I still made it.  All in a day’s work for me then."

Anne recalls "I worked on the various boats, looking after the passengers on board. When I married and had my first baby, I set up a cot in the corner of the boat and still continued working. My children have all been brought up on Moreton Island and my connection with the island has continued through their lives. Recently while travelling in Antarctica of all places,  I was asked – If you are here, who is minding the ship?"

Roz recalls "My childhood was filled with plenty of adventure. I went from driving a dinghy full of people at night from the boat to the shore, to driving a 4x4 Acco truck full of fisherman up the beach. The next morning, I would be pumping fuel at the shop (Yes we had manual bowsers). This was all before I was fifteen. Despite all the work I still managed to go surfing, swimming and get up to plenty of mischief - Life was never dull !"

Moreton Island Adventures is a family owned and operated business, justifiably proud of its links with the history of Moreton Island and today, utterly dedicated to the preservation of the island. The legacy of the Hawkins family lives on in its beliefs and ideals that connecting people to Moreton means future generations will understand and appreciate Moreton Island the way they do.

Shirley and Neville Hawkins are proudly acknowledged and respected for their endeavours that have allowed Moreton Island to grow and become the iconic symbol of freedom, relaxation and connection in the most tranquil of surroundings.