Moreton Island

[MTpockets]

Hi Guys,
I will be planning a camping trip to Moreton in October for a week. I will be taking the boat with me and would like some info on where best to camp, and some pro's and con's camping that time of year.
Just the cook and me, no kids ;D
Info like camp shower, porta potty, lighting, and such. An experienced mate will probably be coming with me for the first 2 days, but is always good to get other opinions as well.

cheers
Les

[CHRIS_aka_GWH]

perhaps Brett (Bugman) will share his tips on overnight anchoring :-X

[skippa]

Geez Chris,

You really 'sinking' it in aren't u ;D


Cheers,
Tony 8) who still has a Haines to own

PPS Bugman, bloody nice new rig tho ;)

[MTpockets]

I think Brett would say he eventually came out in front ;D

[Maria]

From trips that I've done in the past Les, the western side of the island has the best facilities for campers. Depending on what type of fishing you want to do usually decides which side of the island you camp on.

Comboyurro Point (Bulwer), Tangallooma (go into the resort) and Reeder's Point (Kooringal) all have shops, although very basic. The Wrecks camp ground (Tangallooma) has good shower and toilet facilities, as does Comboyurro Point.

Ben

[MTpockets]

Thanks Ben,
I will prolly be over the eastern side this time, as the mate I am going with usually goes there. I will have a look around whilst there for future reference :)
cheers
Les

[mackmauler]

Hey Les, beach launching there isnt very easy, and the fishn is really not to flash if you can get out :-/ and it costs a pile to get a boat there! unless ya roof topping ;D october could be the start of some northerlys so you might be exposed up around yellow patch, lovely place there. down around the blue lagoon area is hard to beat as well. as for info on camp luxuries :o im not qualified ;D

Rob

[MTpockets]

Hi Rob,
Thanks for the info, I didnt realise it was that hard to launch from there. Didn't think about the wind factor. I will take your advise and look at another spot :)
Thanks mate
cheers
Les

[Derek Bullock]

Hey Les

Check out the EPA Website (http://www.epa.qld.gov.au/projects/park/index.cgi?parkid=77). It has quite a bit of info on Moreton that you may find interesting. Also have a look at their brochure that you can download (http://www.epa.qld.gov.au/publications/p00019aa.pdf/Moreton_Island_Recreation_Area.pdf).

Never been there myself.

Cheers.


Derek

[MTpockets]

Thanks Derek,
As it turns out, I am flying my dad down from Mackay and taking him with us to Moreton. I am going to rent a unit over there for a week this time and research all about camping and stuff for future camping there. Will be a lot easier for my dad, and with nothing to worry about gives us more time to fish :)

cheers
Les

[Sportfish_5]

Les

if you dont mind me asking what is a unit worth for a week ? Are you staying around Bulwer/Combi ?

Cheers

Greg

[MTpockets]

Hi Greg,
The unit were will be getting is $530 off peak for 7 days and 6 nights. If in peak time its $580.
Good value accomodation I think, and available through the Combi trader.
cheers
Les

[Sportfish_5]

Thanks Les, does sound like good value.

Cheers

Greg

[bugman]

Only just come across this post.

I'll thank all those people who maybe questioning my boat anchoring skills to GO AND JUMP IN THE RIVER.

I loved that boat :'( :'( :'(

Who would think you could get 1 metre surf behind the Tanga wrecks.

Moreton's good to camp on but tradionally of late the fishing is poor to slow and boat lauching is pretty much only available from the western side.

If you were going in summer with the mackeral in the bay I'd say go for it but October is proably mid season.

Brett

[mako_5.2]

Bugman

If it is not to painfull and you do not mind telling what happened to your boat there and what time of year. Planning to overnight with the family at the wrecks and sinking the boat might not be good for family relations.

Mako 2

[bugman]

No probs Mako,

Many sessions with my therapist and the recent purchase of a bigger better rig have eased the pain somewhat.

It went like this:

Weather was a bit iffy with a storm front coming but brother and I decided on an overnight diving and fishing at Curtin anyway. Late afternoon a massive downpour had the bilge on but water still rising in the boat - my guess a fair bit got into the hull.

Weather got worse with 20-25knt winds and nasty waves so headed to Tangas cause brother was sick. Got in there and found waves .5 to 1m high close to shore as we tried to anchor. Tide was also ripping out (there was a 2.1 metre turnaround) which after anchoring had the boat side on to the waves. We tried a back anchor but it couldn't hold in the tidal current and was effectively just holding the transom down as waves splashed into her.

We had dive gear, tanks, extra fuel heaps of gear etc and she was low in the water. We got onto the shore and watched as she bumped up and down with waves hitting on her side and splashing water in every now and again.

Nothing we could do so we slept on the beach to wake up in the morning to find the tide completely out and the boat still at anchor but half way under the water sitting on the bottom.

Combination of a lot of things running together but it was very distressing at the time.

Tangas is a safe place to anchor but keep and eye on the tide because it can really rip through the gap between the wrecks and shore and make sure your anchore is set very well.

I always camped on the beach normally and therefore anchored the boat pointing out to sea with two anchors. I would advise doing this on 99% of occassions - we were just there on one occassion where it wasn't possible.

Brett

[mako_5.2]

Thanks for sharing your pain Bugman

Sounds like you are enjoying the new boat so it had a happy ending