Break away to the enchanting Moreton Island

Taking the ferry out to Moreton Island at the end of April this year, I allowed myself a small amount of hope.

I hoped the rainy weather that had plagued my holiday thus far, would just give me and my family a small break at the end of our trip.

We were going to stay at the Tangalooma Resort for two nights before heading back to the rat race and I desperately wanted to feel like I’d experienced even a small taste of island life before we did.

Moreton Island delivered the goods.

Shortly after our arrival, we headed over to the Tangatours hut.

The island has so many activities to choose from — from jet boating and helicopter flights to getting on a quad bike or snorkelling the wrecks and everything in between.

Our first activity was a night–time kayak tour of the wrecks.

Launching off the beach just opposite the wrecks, you’re guaranteed to be on the water and in the right spot as the sun sets.

Lazily paddling after our guide, we spied many silvery movements below the water and decided to do this again while the sun was up.

So, we rented a couple of single kayaks the next day and paddled out to the wrecks from the Tangatours hut (a much longer distance to cover, but so worth it).

For an hour, we raced each other over the waves, drifted among the rusting wrecks, explored sheltered areas, saw thousands of colourful fish living on their metal–based reef, and even caught a gilmpse of a sea turtle as it ducked below the gentle swell of the ocean.

My parents and in–laws instead opted for having fun on quad bikes somewhere in the island jungle.

After our kayaking session, we snorkelled out to the wrecks for a dazzling display of marine life.

That night, we had dinner at the beach–side restaurant (Fire) and enjoyed a delicious sichuan Chinese meal, while being entertained and pestered by a ‘vocally talented’ bird.

The following days were spent in much the same way — sunshine, snorkelling, eating, having a couple of drinks, and meeting island locals like the pelicans, cormorants and dolphins — and left me craving for more, much more.

I finally had a bit of a tan, salt in my hair, and relaxation in my heart. I finally had a holiday.

And, just like that, it was over.