A Tangalooma Ferry waits for passengers to board. This image looks as though it is parked up on the grass but the jetty lies adjacent to the ferry and it will soon make one of many trips back to Brisbane on the mainland, to repeat the process of ferrying tourists, residents and vistors to and from Moreton Bay where the Tangalooma Beach Resort is situated.
If you missed Part 1 & 2 of this series feel free to view them here. Part #1 Part #2
Moreton Island’s rich history dates back to early Aboriginal settlement and Tangalooma was the site of Queensland’s first and only whaling station which operated for ten tears from 1952 to 1962. Humpback whales were caught and harvested during their annual migrating period. A maximum of 11 whales were processed daily; 600 per season. This original whaling site is now the Tangalooma Island Resort.
Passengers shelter from the sun beneath umbrellas as they wait to board the ferry.
They enjoy the view before they have to say, 'Good-Bye' after spending time at one of Queensland's most popular island resorts.
Captain James Cook named Morton Bay after the first Scottish Earl of Morton. Sometime later, the name was misspelled, ‘Moreton Bay,’ from translations of his journals. The very first white settlers arrived on Moreton Island in 1823. And in 1850, the last of the local people moved to Stradbroke Island (further south of Moreton Island) and this is where many of them reside today. The island was named by Matthew Flinders on July 31st 1799.
Meanwhile, for those of who have their holiday ahead of them, (myself included) I watch this group board the sunset cruise boat. It is an ideal structure for photographers as there is little to hinder the very best views as they cruise the cystal blue waters of Moreton Bay hoping to see a superb sunset.
Originally, the 100 or so Ngugi people clashed with the white people as they tried to establish their presence on the island. These clashes were the result of disagreements over the native women. During late 1831 and early 1832, approximately 40 people from both sides were killed.
A number of Europeans settled in 1848 after the Sovereign was shipwrecked on the island. A pilot station was then established at Bulwer and it was operated until 1909.
This is the Eco Tours cruise boat.
There are convenient gazebos available along the foreshore for people who have either left their sun hats behind or perhaps want to enjoy the view of the beach away from the sand.
The four small settlements situated on the island are the Tangalooma Beach Resort, Bulwer located at the north west tip, Cowan Cowan which lies between Tangalooma and Bulwer and Kooringal which is situated near the southern tip of the island
Moreton Island is situated to the east of Moreton Bay. The Coral Sea lies to the east of the island. It has a population of approximately 300 residents and over 3500 visitors visit every week. The name, ‘Tangalooma’ is derived from the Aboriginal language and means, ‘Where the Fish Gather.’
After you have tried out the beach buggies, kayaks, jetskis and bikes and taken a 4WD guided tour and helicopter ride to enjoy the views you can take advantage of the various walks available on the island.
These range from short strolls to half day hikes. This is one of the most effective ways to appreciate all that this island has to offer, such as its environmental features and wildlife habitats.
The Blue Lagoon 20 minute walk is very popular because hikers are rewarded with a beautiful swimming spot to cool down in at the end of their trek. For the more energetic, a walk to the top of Cape Moreton where Queensland’s first lighthouse stands is well worth the effort. This lighthouse was built in 1857 and is made of sandstone. Four other lighthouses have been built on the island since then.
And an even more challenging walk is to the summit of Mount Tempest which is the highest sand dune on the island. The 360-degree views from the top of Mount Tempest are spectacular. Experienced hikers can also enjoy the 16 kilometre (10 mile) Telegraph Track which is very appealing during the months September, October and November as this route is covered in heathland flowers at this time of the year.
This adorable mother and baby dolphin statue is located at the entrance to the resort, reminding visitors of the very special affinity the Tangalooma Beach Resort has with the local, wild dolphins. The early Ngugi people have an interestng story to tell which involved hunting fish cooperatively with the dolphins.
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When they went fishing, they'd slap their spears onto the surface of the water. This sound attracted the dolphins and as they approached, they would herd schools of fish into the shallows allowing the fishermen to use their nets made from bark fibres and gather 'their' catch. They never failed to throw part of this catch back to the dolphins to eat.
I captured this image (below) after one of the nightly dolphin feeding sessions. The dolphins had enthralled those who'd paid for a small bucket of fish to hand feed them and had swum back into deeper waters. The sun had set and retreated over the horizon but under the soft lights of the lamps placed along the length of the jetty, a few of us lingered to enjoy what was left of the evening.
A large passenger ship made her way towards the island; its lights flickering in the distance. As much as I love cruising, I wouldn't have traded places with those passengers. I still had a few days left with which to make the most of my Tangalooma Island Resort holiday.
I will return soon for Part #4, and my final blog for this paricular series. I hope to see you then.
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