Moreton Island

Moreton Island Remote Cleanup with Sea Shepherd Australia

Sea Shepherd Australia volunteers conducted a remote cleanup and microplastic survey on Queensland’s Moreton Island between July 16 – 22 to find out just how contaminated with plastic this remote coastal area is. 

The aims of the cleanup and microplastic survey were: 

  • To showcase to the QLD Government, industry and the public the impact that plastic pollution is having on our oceans and marine life.
  • To clean up as much of the marine debris as resources allow to create a safe and clean environment for wildlife.
  • To conduct science-based surveys to estimate the loading of plastic on Moreton Island beaches.

According to the Queensland Government, Moreton Island is one of the least polluted and least disturbed coastal environments along the Queensland – New South Wales coast, yet there continues to be an increasing number of marine wildlife found entangled in marine debris.

In 2018, two green turtles drowned after becoming entangled in rubbish at Moreton Bay, the stretch of ocean between Brisbane and Moreton Island. Green sea turtles are listed by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) as endangered, with a decreasing population due to fishing gear entanglement and loss of habitat. 

Local resort Tangalooma has also reported an increasing number of dolphins found on the island with discarded fishing debris entangled in their jaws around the Moreton Island coast. 

Campaign Leader Rebecca Griffiths said, “In addition to turtles and dolphins, this area is also home to a large population of dugongs, many seabird species, and humpback whales migrate past here in the winter months.”

“We will remove as much deadly marine debris as possible to save the precious wildlife of Moreton Island.”

Marine debris is a globally recognised environmental issue as marine wildlife are increasingly affected by human-made refuse, much of which is plastic. This year, there has been an alarming trend of whales washed ashore with stomachs full of plastic. 

“Sea Shepherd is known to be on the front line of conservation and this remote marine debris campaign at Moreton Island is no different,” said Marine Debris Campaign Coordinator Marina Hansen.  

“Our oceans are being inundated with plastic and the impacts on our precious marine life are increasing at an alarming rate, we need to tackle the scourge head-on before it’s too late.” 

Sea Shepherd Australia’s remote cleanup at Moreton Island has been generously funded by a 2019 Team Grant from Santos Organics.

For more info about our Marine Debris campaign click here

We are awaiting more information about 2019’s cleanup and will update you as we have more statistics.

Friends of the Sea Shepherd help clean up Moreton Island.

Why you should enter a fishing comp when you don’t like fishing

Why would I enter a fishing comp when I hate fishing you say?

Well, I’m about to give you the 7 best reasons to pack your bags and get yourself off to your nearest, daggiest fishing comp and go mingle with the locals (and sometimes the yokels depending on the area!). There are plenty of fishing comps near Brisbane to read on to find out more…

  1. You don’t have to catch a fish to win big

    beach fishing competition near brisbane

So this is a secret I didn’t know until I started organising the ARB Moreton Island Fishing Classic, but you don’t have to catch a big fish, or a fish at all in fact to take home the major prizes at a fishing comp, often worth in excess of ten thousand dollars!  For an entry fee that might range from $10 to $100 and usually not a lot of entrants, that’s better odds than last month’s scratchy spend.

  1. You might pick up a husband (or wife…)

fishing competitions near brisbane

No seriously ladies, lots of eligible bachelors who aren’t the type to head to the pub on the weekend, congregate here with their mates…ok so they’re not all a good catch (pardon the pun) but there is something to be said for that rugged outdoor bloke who can feed the family with his bare hands.  And blokes, you’d be surprised at the amount of fish friendly ladies out there who have worked out that the prizes are not just for the men – expect some serious competition!

  1. Massive prizes up for grabs – and anyone can win

    fishing competition near brisbane

So a fishing comp generally runs in this fashion.  You catch a big fish, you win a little prize.  You catch a bigger fish, you win a bigger prize.  You catch the biggest fish, you win money – hooray.  You don’t catch any fish, but are still entered into the daily and major random prize draw and you stand the chance of winning some of the $50 – $100,000 worth of prizes given away over the duration – and the prizes are not necessarily fishing related.  I’m talking 4WD gear, boats, kayaks, cars & holidays!

  1. Get rid of the missus

    fishing competition near brisbane

Want to hang out with your mates and have a boy’s trip, but that pesky wife (god love’er) is up for any holiday and always tags along?  I can guarantee if you spin it right, a fishing trip with the boys is NOT one of the holidays she will want to attend. Perhaps just don’t let her read reason number 2 or find out that actually the ladies often do better than the blokes (yup I said it.)

  1. Travel on the cheap

    fishing competition near brisbane

So another secret no one wants you to know, is that often companies are putting out specials for the event (we do!).  Whether they be accommodation specials or ferry specials depending on the location, you can jump on board just by entering in the fishing competition.  It’s a win win situation, you get the chance to win thousands of dollars in prizes, head to an awesome beach side location, and get some great savings on your travel.  Why not?

  1. Your kids will survive the zombie apocalypse

kids fishing competition

Ok, that’s a bit dramatic perhaps but, you do want them to be able to feed themselves if they need to right?  There’s something completely organic about hunting and gathering your own food.  Fishing with the kids is a great way to get them outside, and teach them a thing or two about feeding themselves.  The best part is, if you reel in a monster, you’ve got witnesses to attest to your awesome fishing skills!

  1. You’ll get brownie points with the boys

fishing competition

Nobody likes a soft cucumber right?  Well, organise the fishing trip, grab the beers and you’ll get untold brownie points with the boys.  A great way to get away with the mates, away from those poncy cafes & halfwit soccer dads and, at the very least you’ll avoid having to follow your wife around the shops this weekend holding all her purchases and sitting on those “I’d rather be dead” seats out the front.

If you’re keen to wet a line (or open a beer, no pressure) why not check out the best 3 fishing comps near Brisbane:

ARB Moreton Island Fishing Competition

Location: Moreton Island, 35km from Brisbane

Dates: 23 – 27 August 2017

Prizes: Over $65, 000 of cash & prizes including 4WD gear, fishing gear, camping gear, BCF vouchers cash & more.

Cost to enter: $85.00 for adults, $45.00 for kids, special discounts given on ferry fares for competitors.

Why it’s a winner: One of the only island fishing comps left. Super chilled out comp located on idyllic Moreton Island. Family friendly with great kid’s & adult prizes. Small number of entrants so a greater chance of taking home a cash (or other) prize.

Check out some photos here

Rainbow Beach Fishing Competition

Location: Rainbow Beach, east of Gympie

Dates: 21st – 29th July 2017

Prizes: $100, 000 worth of prizes (less random prizes)

Cost to enter: Adults $140, Cadets $80, Junior $35

Why it’s a winner:  Great if you live on the North Coast and want a longer competition to go to.  Boat fishing is included, as is a separate cadet’s competition.

Hervey Bay Family Fishing Competition

Location: Urangan, Hervey Bay

Dates: 2017 dates to be announced

Prizes: $10 000 cash prizes, $8000 boating package & more

Cost to enter: Adults $40, Juniors $10

Why it’s a winner: small family fishing club run competition.  Great for starters and kids to get out there and have a try.

If you would like to be kept in the fishing comp loop and receive updates about the ARB Moreton Island Fishing Classic, you can sign up to the VIP list HERE

fishing competition near brisbane

Moreton Island Hiking | Snowys Blog

If you’re into hiking, but you don’t have time to stray far from Brisbane, why not try out Moreton Island’s hiking environment?  Head on over to Snowy’s Blog to check out the full report on his Moreton Island hiking experience. Moreton Island is only a 90 minute ferry trip from Brisbane on board the Micat and would have to be one of the most underestimated hiking destinations in Queensland.   There are so many different options available to make it the perfect option for seasoned hikers and for novices alike.

There are so many options for hiking on Moreton Island.  Less experienced hikers can spend an hour or two exploring various parts of the island.  More experienced hikers can plan a longer trip around and across the island, taking a couple of days to absorb the attributes of this beautiful landmass.

Taking in the sights on foot, is the ideal way to capture the unique flora and fauna on this amazing island which is the world’s third largest sand island.  There are countless opportunities to take that once in a lifetime photo.

Low tide provides opportunities to explore the tidal flats and catch a glimpse of the many sea creatures that make this place such a unique experience.  Waves of scurrying blue soldier crabs are a common sight on the sand and mud flats.  Their spontaneous arrival is triggered by the falling tide. If disturbed, they burrow into the sand, disappearing as quickly as they arrived. Moreton Island is also home to numerous different species of birds – so don’t forget your binoculars!

There are many tracks to explore on Moreton but among the more challenging is the Telegraph Walking Track.  As you walk you can spot telegraph posts from the old telegraph line built in the 1890s for the Cape Moreton Lighthouse. Relics can still be found along Bulwer–North Point Road and Telegraph Road.   Another track for the more experienced hiker to explore is the Rous Battery Track.  You will see the remnants of a World War II fort scattered around the dunes. The walk follows the old Rous Battery service road.

Moreton Island is the sort of place where, with planning, you can organise your own hiking itinerary to suit your level of expertise and interests.   Don’t forget, like any hiking expedition, you need to be well-prepared to make your experience on Moreton a success.

 

Source: Moreton Island – Brisbane’s Most Underrated Hiking Destination? | Snowys Blog

Camping Will Improve Your Health

Camping with your family is a simple way to get outside and increase their health.  It doesn’t seem like long ago when children were rushing to get outside and play, ride their bikes, go camping, head to the park, and generally have fun being active. How times have changed! In just a few decades, the average lifestyle in developed countries has become increasingly lethargic.  People browse the internet rather than take a walk or watch a movie rather than take a bike ride on a local trail. In your own home, you have probably observed that family members are ever more connected to their gadgets and computers.

The most worrying thing about this change is the effect that it has on overall health. The human body didn’t evolve to stand still, so it makes sense that you should try to get active, at least for a short time, every single day of the week. Let’s look at five ways getting outside on your next camping holiday can benefit the health of you and your family.

Go camping, relax and stop yelling at the children

Have you ever sat down with a coffee and your tablet, and called that relaxing? True relaxation comes when we have time to be introspective and reflective which means keeping the kids
occupied while we enjoy some quiet… What better way to do this than to go outside and disconnect from the digital world; go outside for a stroll (the kids can tag along on their bikes) or go camping – trust me the kids will be occupied doing things out of the ordinary and you might actually get some down time!  David Close entry 1

 

Get some sunny vibes for bone health

Vitamin D deficiency is common in Australia with over 30% of adults having a mild to severe deficiency. The good news is that your body can generate this vitamin simply by being in sunlight!  Just by increasing your families outdoor time (for instance through a camping trip), you can gain many health benefits including strong bones, decreased risk of cardiovascular disease and a decreased risk of some forms of cancer.  What better reason is there to get outdoors when the weather is nice?  Just remember to slap on some sunscreen to protect yourself from UV Rays.Moreton Island Adventures

Decrease your risk of disease

Almost 2 in 3 adults are overweight or obese in Australia.  1 in 4 Australian children are overweight or obese.  Obesity is the 2nd highest contributor to burden of disease.  If your family spends a lot of time indoors, camping is a fantastic way to get out and increase your activity levels.  If you can’t afford the time out to spend a weekend camping, any increase in activity you can fit into your day such as going for a walk, jumping on the trampoline or kicking the soccer ball will positively influence the health of your family.Moreton Island Low Res-137

Get healthy eyes

64% of children from the age of 3 – 17 own a smart phone (http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-12-19/childrens-eyesight-damaged-from-lack-of-outdoor-time/7040942) and spend 23 hours a week on it.  There is a worrying increase of nearsightedness being seen in our Australian children due to increased screen time, and resulting strain on eyes.  The outside, natural environment is really important for your eyes as you have a variance of brightness, long distance and colour that relaxes the eye.  While they play, children’s eyes are more relaxed and thus get a chance to regenerate and revive.  Get out to your favorite camping spot or the backyard and ban the electronic devices.  A simple time out jumping on the trampoline or swinging on the swings will give untold benefits for eye health.camping-family

 

As you can see, getting outdoors whether it is a weekend away camping, or just a trip to the backyard or local park will have untold health benefits for your family.  The team at Vuly Trampolines along with the team at Moreton Island Adventures support the community in encouraging kids and families to get outside, be active and enjoy Queensland’s great weather.

 

 

Brisbane Island – what everyone should know!

You didn’t know there was a Brisbane Island?  Well, you best consult with Dr Google and find out about Moreton Island! I want to share some of the amazing things there are to see and do on this much forgotten slice of paradise.  Like did you know that Moreton has Brisbane’s only shipwreck snorkelling?  Or that it is home the world’s highest vegetated coastal sand dune??  If not read on for the top 10 things to experience on this amazing island!

1. Get unplugged and off-road

What better what to get off road and unplugged than driving around the 200km of beach and inland sand tracks on Moreton Island?  Get around to some of the best places below, while enjoying a bit of 4WDing fun – test your skills as little or as much as you like!  Bring some basic recovery gear, but one of the great things about Moreton Island is there is always someone driving past who will lend a hand if you need it4wd-island

 

2. Get Wrecked on Brisbane Island – but not the way you think!

Imagine snorkelling around historic shipwrecks while thousands of tropical fish swarm past colourful coral formations.  Just beside you a cormorant dives down and spears a fish right before your eyes!  You must be at the Great Barrier Reef right?  WRONG!  You’re on Moreton Island, snorkelling the 15 sunken ships just 20 meters from the beach – the water is that clear that you’d be forgiven for thinking you’re on some tropical island in the south pacific!Brisbane Island Wrecks

3. Break the speed limit

Get the kids out of their comfort zone with a bit of sandboarding in The Desert!  Did you know you can reach up to 35km/hr zooming down the dunes?  Make sure you buy a sand board before leaving the ferry (for the princely sum of $8) or bring your own for hours of sandy fun – head straight to the water afterwards for a “Moreton Shower”.Sandboarding action

 

4. Volcanos, Whales & Convicts – what do they have in common?

What on earth you ask?  Cape Moreton is one of the most interesting spots on Moreton Island.  Firstly, underneath all that sandstone is the only rock on the island – and one formed in the Triassic era at that – think Dinosaur age!  The lighthouse itself was the first built in Queensland and was built by civil prisoners (aka Convicts!). And last but not least, it’s the best place to spot earth’s modern dinosaurs – the whales from July to October every year (minus the seasickness you’d get with a traditional whale watching experience!).Lighthouse-gall

5. Get younger without paying a cent

Sounds good doesn’t it!  Well, popular myth says that if you take a dip in Blue Lagoon it will take years off your life!  We’re not promising anything, but the tea tree laden waters of this perched lake (that’s a lake formed by sand hardening over time and forming a ‘bowl’) will definitely leave your skin soft and supple – much cheaper than that beauty treatment you were thinking about getting.  If you’re really brave we recommend diving down for some of the ‘black’ sand and plastering over your face for a true Moreton Island facial!Blue Lagoon

6. Relax with a free massage on Brisbane Island

What would put the wife in a really good mood for the rest of the day?  A massage of course!  Head to Champagne Rockpools at North Point and let the waves and bubbles wash away the grit of the day – the best way to get those last remaining grains of sand out of your hair!Champagne Pools

7. Where is the perfect sunset?

Everybody claims to have the perfect sunset these days don’t they?  But if you want to relax with a cool beverage on the beach as the sun dips down over the water – and perhaps a few dolphins frolic by – well we think we’ve got just the place.  Head to North Point with your camp chair and watch as the sun falls behind the picturesque Glass House Mountains.  Ahh day done!Sunset drinks

8. Reach for the sky

Why not tick that box and climb the highest vegetated sand dune in the world?! Mt Tempest is around 280m high and simply the best view on the whole island.  Drink in almost 360 degree views of the sparkling waters and sandy dunes.  If you’re really looking for a unique adventure, pack the thermos & coffee and do a sunrise hike!

9. Battery Acid

What workplace has a ‘tools down’ rule every 2pm daily to go for a swim?  Well for the soldiers stationed at Rous Battery in WW2 this was exactly the situation most days on the Eastern Beach.  Whisk the kids back in time as you explore the old concrete bunkers from yesteryear and delve into the little known war history of Moreton Island.Rous-battery-2

10. What’s that fishy smell?

It’s the folk at the Moreton Island Fishing Classic of course!  They’re the people who are not afraid to gut a fish, pitch a tent and get out and about.  This annual comp is fast becoming the ‘must do’ fishing event of the year.  And the best bit is you don’t even have to catch a fish to win a prize!!Fishing Brisbane

If this all sounds like your kettle of fish (pun intended) then head over to www.moretonislandadventures.com.au for more information on how to get there quick.