Moreton Island

9-10 July 2006

This being a Sunday/Monday walk, few people were able to consider joining in but we were a merry band of five, Margaret, Noelene, Gail, Richard and myself.
We caught the 8.30am ferry across to Tangalooma. This is a new ferry since I last went to Moreton. The trip takes only one hour. Unfortunately, the coffee machine was not working.

A taxi was waiting to take us across the island along Middle Road and up the beach on the eastern side to the Blue Lagoon campground. While driving up the beach we were lucky to see whales. One group of whales kept leaping out of the water and smacking their tails down hard making a big splash. They kept this up for as long as we could see them.

We found a spacious shaded campsite with lots of birds not far from the amenities. Tents went up before morning tea. It was only a short walk to the Lagoon so we decided to explore a bit and find a nice place for lunch.
We decided to walk along the beach for a couple of kilometers towards the lighthouse. It looked so close but was actually about eight kilometers away. We soon tired of trudging along in the sand and turned inland and found vehicle tracks that took us all the way back to our camp.

After all that strenuous sand walking it was time for an afternoon nap. Afternoon tea came next followed by a stroll to the beach, back to camp to sit around and chat then dinner. Stars came out with only a thin cloud and a nip in the air. We played 'Spot the satellite' for a while then all had an early night.
The birds woke us early. The sky was blue and the temperature pleasantly warm. Today was our walking day.

We headed south along the beach for about a kilometre before turning west onto the Bulwer road. Gradually uphill along soft sand for four kilometres with a stop at Honeyeater Lake lookout for photos and a new game called 'Spot Margaret's earring', we were all glad to reach the old Telegraph Track turn-off and stop for morning tea.

We were now on the old track that serves as a fire trail. The sand was covered with a thick layer of leaves and plant litter so the walking was much easier than on the road though it was still a gradual climb.
Eight kilometres later with one last steep climb we reached the Mt Tempest turn-off and our lunch stop. This is a steep two kilometre return side trip so we hid our packs in the bush and traveled light. About halfway up we started getting great views out to the east.

A staircase marked the final push to the top where a fenced clearing allowed for 360 degree views of the island. We were running short of time so our stay at the top was brief. Back down to our packs for another couple of kilometres' walk down to Middle Road to meet the taxi for our trip back to meet the 3.30pm barge.
Great drama on the ferry trip back; the coffee machine was still not working! Gail managed to get a free sausage roll as compensation, and then she went back for free tomato sauce as well. The hot chocolate was good, anyway.

Thanks to my companions for sharing a pleasant two days. A special thanks to Richard and Neville, the drivers. Patricia