Inside Moreton Is.

[jerson]

I've been talking to a mate about putting the boat ( 4.35m tinnie with 30 Hp) in at Whyte Is. & running to the inside of Moreton for a weekend of flathead fishing. Provided we pick the right weather, I have the following questions.
By my estimate it is about 25 Klms.
Is camping & fires allowed on the beach. ( permits)
If so is there a lot of sand between high & low water on the beach.
What would be the best area to head for.
Is it reasonably safe to leave the boat anchored at night while you sleep.
I imagine there would be reef over there as well.

Jerson.

[Brett1907]

There are plenty of camping spots along the western side of moreton island, and you do need a permit.
Don't know where to fish by boat as haven't done that yet, but someone else should give some advice.
I've seen dozens of boats anchored while their owners slept the night. Friends of mine have also done it without incident.

Just make sure you load up with plenty of fuel as its pretty expensive on the island.

Have a good trip.

Brett

[imnotoriginal]

Plenty of areas to camp. Last I heard there was a fire ban on the island. You can fish around the wrecks or maybe up towards bulwer. You will need a permit to stay on the island. My last report from the island was a few weeks back, but they were still getting plenty of flathead from the beach and trevally inside the wrecks of a late afternoon/evening on poppers.
Joel

[Blackened]

G'day

Yes it is possible, but its more like 35km.

Give it about 70-90mins dpending on where you head and what conditions you have.

You do need a permit for camping, google moreton island and there's a website with all the info.

Dave

[Lucky 1]

Maybe I am too cautious but I would be very careful about picking the right weather. 27k is along way to travel in a 4.3m tinny. Particularly if caught in a westerly(more so in late winter months) or a wind against current situation. My brooker 4.1 with a 30 merc 2stroke would use about 25 litres on a good day for a return trip. But I would never do it. That is a job for the 18 footer!

[Mike Delisser]

Best anchorage is behind the wrecks just north of Tangalooma.
You should also take some squid jigs and try the over any of the weedbeds after dark.

[Blackened]

G'day

Some of you will know, I have done that run in my 12' horizon with 9.9 2stroke merc. I'd use about 15L return. It's safe enough, aslong as you can handle your boat and are very very aware of the weather.

Heading over in a 10kn NE wasn't a problem for me.

Dave

[snappatrappa]

Just take plenty of fuel and food - the bay can come up pretty quick and in a little tinny you could be stuck till the next day if it blows. I have had a couple of hairy returns in my 6.5m fibreglass with 140 on the back, and wouldn't like to do it in much smaller.

[unka]

mate justgot back from one week of camping near the sandhills at moreton . went over in the seafarer v sea and pitched the tent, there is a water pump at the sandhills,, the water is a bit smelly but is good for showering etc so take your drinking and cooking water
At low tide you will have to walk 200 metres to the campsite so pick your tides,there are thousands of stingrays and shovel noses so take your booties, and also as much insect repellant as you can carry, mozzies midgies sandflies and march flies are all there to greet you on your arrival, they dont bother me so much but the missus did not take to kindly to them.
You camp under the bribie island pines at the sandhills and it is a really pretty spot ,very few people , a yabby bank out front and all the summer and sand whiting you will need to feed you while you are there,, but keep your eye out for the stingrays as it is a long way home if you stand on one and they are everywhere
Also it is sheltered from the onshore winds so it can get a little hot so take lots of beer and ice
A track from the campsite leads to the surf beach about a 40 min walk for an old person like me.
And never ever be there in a westerly wind as it hammers the boats in the shallows
The ranger drives past you hail him down and pay him the camp fee or pre pay on line
cheers unka

[unka]

and no fires allowed at the moment
When anchoring overnite no worries just have plenty of chain on the anchor end of your anchor rope and try not to get up too many times during the night to look at it or the zipper noise will keep waking up the others in the tent and they will shout at you.
Pick a time where tides are high morning and afternoon then you have good fishing access and can forget about the boat during the night

[jerson]

Unka,
Are there any flathead amounst those shoves & rays. When you say no fires does this mean gas stoves or just open camp fires.
I've never been to Moreton so all is new. How far are the wrecks from the sand hills, where did you leave from and how far is it to the sand hills.

Jerson

[unka]

Its a perfect looking spot for flatties but did not see or catch any in the big sandhills area and at low tide did not see any signs of them having been there in any numbers but to the south from the big sandhills to Reeders produced some nice specimens(all released).
good flatties usually from tangalooma north
Open camp fires not allowed but stoves etc ok
Wrecks are to the north appx 12 kilometres
we leave from vic pt ,takes 1 hr

[jerson]

Thanks for the info.
It has been mentioned to anchor behind the wrecks, is it good camping there.
May be back in touch with more questions as they arise.

Jerson

[Blackened]

G'day

At the wrecks there are designated campsites, rubbish bins and i think a shower.... but i'm not sure if that is still there.

It's also a short walk to the resort, if you need supplies.... but it does come at a premium.

www.moreton-island.com.au

I hope that is the website,

Dave