Tangalooma Resort

Tangalooma Resort, on Moreton Island just off Brisbane, is a classic Australian island escape where wild dolphin feeding meets sand dunes and shipwrecks. It’s a place where you can hand-feed wild bottlenose dolphins at dusk, snorkel around historic wrecks, and toboggan down the highest coastal sand dunes in the world – all without leaving a single resort.

Highlights & What to See

• Wild Dolphin Feeding: Every evening at sunset, wild dolphins swim right up to the jetty for a hand-feed – an unforgettable, ranger-guided experience that’s included in your stay.
• Tangalooma Wrecks: Snorkel or dive around 15 deliberately sunk ships that form a breakwater, now encrusted with coral and teeming with fish, turtles and rays.
• Desert Sand Tobogganing: Climb the massive sand dunes known as The Desert and race down on a toboggan – a thrilling, kid-friendly activity.
• Whale Watching (June–October): Humpback whales migrate through Moreton Bay, and the resort runs cruises that get you close to these gentle giants.
• Kayaking & Paddleboarding: Explore the calm western side of the island, past the wrecks and along the pristine beach, with gear available for hire.
• 4WD Adventures: Take a guided tour across the island’s sandy tracks to Blue Lagoon, a perched freshwater lake perfect for a swim.

Suggested Time to Spend

Most visitors stay 2–3 nights, which gives you time to settle in, enjoy the dolphin feeding on two evenings, and fit in snorkelling the wrecks, a sand-tobogganing session, and a whale-watching cruise if you’re here in season. Day-trippers can manage the highlights but will feel rushed – the ferry crossing takes about 75 minutes each way, so an overnight stay is strongly recommended. Pace your days with a relaxed morning exploring the beach, a late-afternoon activity, and the nightly dolphin ritual.

Nearby Areas Worth Combining

• Brisbane: The capital of Queensland is just a ferry ride away – combine a few days in the city’s cultural precinct, laneways and South Bank with your island stay.
• Moreton Island National Park: The resort sits within the national park – hike to Mount Tempest, the highest coastal sand dune in the world, for panoramic views.
• North Stradbroke Island (Minjerribah): Another sand island with stunning beaches, blowholes and a relaxed vibe, easily reached from Brisbane for a longer island-hopping itinerary.
• Gold Coast: About 1.5 hours south of Brisbane, the Gold Coast offers surf beaches, theme parks and the lush hinterland – a great contrast to the remote island feel.
• Sunshine Coast: Head north for more laid-back beach towns, the Glass House Mountains and the Australia Zoo – perfect for a road trip combining coast and island.

Please check official sources for current details.