Moreton island/mulgumpin:
Where to stay

18 JANUARY 2023

It doesn’t take too much imagination to understand why Moreton Island/Mulgumpin is a sought-after holiday destination. With its protected sands, pristine beaches, sprawling dunes, tropical fish darting through colourful coral, playful dolphins and visiting seasonal humpbacks, the Island is a world away from the bustle of city life. Better yet, you don’t need a passport to get there. Here’s where to stay where you’re visiting Moreton Island/Mulgumpin.

An image of a couple enjoying the sights on a leisurely walk around Tangalooma
Tangalooma Resort, Moreton Island

There’s a good reason that Tangalooma Island Resort is the first accommodation offering to spring to mind when many think of Moreton Island/ Mulgumpin. Just a 75-minute cruise from Brisbane, the breezy beachfront resort shares its shores with the wild dolphins who visit each evening. A choice of hotels, villas, houses, units and apartments means there’s a room or home to suit all holidaymakers. Best of all, the resort offers a wide range of activities to fill your days on the island – think scenic helicopter flights, sunset cruises, snorkelling and massages – alongside a variety of dining and drinking spots to choose from.

A visually satisfying, well-dressed stay that overlooks Tangalooma Resort, Breathe is a coastal retreat with a zen-inducing viewing deck with panoramic views, five bedrooms, two lounges and abundance of entertaining options. 

A peaceful holiday village, Cowan Cowan offers views over the Glass House Mountains, across to the city lights, from the island. From here, you can watch dolphins play and enjoy the tranquil beaches. A 15-minute drive from the famed Tangalooma Wrecks, Cowan Cowan is easily accessed via the Micat Barge landing. 

For a contemporary stay in a spacious, three-bedroom, two-bathroom holiday home, The Boarding House is ideal for a group getaway. An outdoor shower, BBQ area, entertaining deck and a 300-metre walk to the beach makes The Boarding House an easy choice for groups of eight or fewer.

A sophisticated and cleverly renovated two-bedroom townhouse by the beach, The Jetty features a fire pit, direct beach access and a breezy deck on which to laze with a book for a relaxed afternoon. The eco-focussed accommodation is off-grid, solar-powered and uses rainwater.

Perfect for large groups, a 4WD vehicle is required to access Kiarabilli, a two-storey beach house with wrap-around verandas that sleeps up to 16 people. Positioned near Castaways Café in Bulwer, and just a short stroll from the beach, the house boasts two full kitchens, multiple lounges and dining spaces and a fire pit for cooler nights.

If sleeping under the stars inspires your sense of adventure, there are plenty of coastal camping areas across Moreton Island/Mulgumpin to choose from. Some spots are accessible by boat and others by 4WD – just be sure to secure a permit before driving on the island and display a camping tag on your campsite. Five campgrounds and five camping zones span the beach, each marked with a totem, and each giving its visitors front-row access to the island’s unspoiled waterfront.

And, if glamping is closer to your comfort zone, Castaways Moreton Island at Bulwer, 100 metres from the beach, is where you’ll want to rest your head. 

For a holiday stay to remember, book your Moreton Island/ Mulgumpin adventure today. 

A distant shot of a couple sitting on a tree trunk on a beach