4WD-ing on Moreton Island

25km off the coast of South East Queensland lies Moreton Island, the world’s third largest sand island. Renowned for crystal clear water, huge sand dunes, shipwrecks and miles of untouched sandy beaches that are accessible by 4WD only.

We were lucky enough to take three 4WDs, nine friends and a boat across for three days of island exploration. Highlights of this wonderful weekend include:

1: Storms and Sunsets

Friday night was about as perfect as it gets for me. A group of friends sat around a fire on the beach. The sunset lit up the clouds and a passing thunder storm put on an incredible light show. The temperature was balmy and beers were drank both between and during swims. Add to that a couple of guitars and my heart was full.

2: Gutter Bar

At the southern end of the island, in the township of Kooringal, we enjoyed an ice cold beverage at the local Gutter Bar where shoes are optional and the doors only open when the owners choose to be there.

3: West Coast Exploration

We took a drive up the Western coast to see how far north the beach would take us. We watched as the tiny shore break became peeling barrels the further round the point we continued. With cars on the beach and awnings pulled out on the sand we could snack and swim until our hearts were content.

4: 4WD Wakeboarding

What do you get when you take a 4WD, two snatch straps, a wakeboard and two men over 30 who should know better? Entertainment for all others present. Brett and Chris took turns hooning down the beach while the other held onto straps attached to the tow bar and flew across about an inch of water while strapped to a wakeboard. Dolphins swam a few metres away obviously just as entertained as the rest of us were.

5: Beach Driving The East Coast

Cyclone Gita was swirling offshore sending huge swells our way. Cruising down the beach, windows down, wind blowing, waves crashing and not another soul in sight was pretty darn magical.

6: Champagne Pools

Huge waves crashed into a rock wall before sending water splashing down the other side. Passing over the rocks the agitated water turned champagne-esque before bubbling into the pool below where we bobbed about in the sun.

7: Snorkelling The Wrecks

We donned our fins and snorkelled and started swimming. The water grew deep and dark before we reached the ships that had been sunk offshore. As we floated on the surface, schools of curious fish swam below us. The rusty ships filled the background as we looked through the water at the other-worldly view beneath us.

8: Bushfires

At the northern end of the island we watched as flames spewed from the trees up the hill from where we were. Smoke billowed out endlessly and the power of mother nature was on display.

Normally coming home from a holiday brings on some kind of ‘back-to-reality-blues’ but I have a sneaking suspicion that our return from Nepal will be with excitement for more adventures like these and our new life in the Sunshine State.