Tangalooma, Moreton Island
Monday, February 20, 2023
Moreton Island is the third largest sand island in the world. Ninety-five percent of the island is a national park. One of the favorite activities on the island is climbing the towering sand dunes and “sledding” down them. Cliff says that it reminded him greatly of the sand dunes and lush green colors of Michigan.
Lying between Moreton Island and Moreton Bay, Tangalooma is a sheltered beach resort area, which is a favorite vacation getaway, especially for the residents of Brisbane. The calm waters invite you to float and swim or enjoy any number of water sports. Day cruises from Brisbane are available for enjoying the resort’s amenities and a wide variety of excursions.
The man-made harbor was created by sinking fifteen vessels — 5 each in 1960s, 1970s, and 1980s. You can swim and snorkel over the wrecks, but the currents are very strong. Most of the wrecks are about 52 feet deep.
Initially, Tangalooma was a whaling station. There are only a few permanent residents living in four small settlements. The island is a 75 minute catamaran ride from Brisbane.
In the 1970s, a resort was developed with a "secured perpetual lease for a slice of the island." Brian and Betty Osborne purchased the Tangalooma Resort in 1980, and they still own and operate the resort and the "wild" dolphin feeding program.
Wildlife on the island includes a wide variety of birds, snakes other reptiles, as well as rare endemic species, such as blue-tongued lizards and bearded dragons.
Cliff and Joan visited the island, planning to take a helicopter ride to see the coral reefs, but the rides were canceled due to high winds. There was no town, just two restaurants, a resort restaurant and bar, and one shop. They visited the resort restaurant and bar to sample a couple of Australian beers. There was a great band playing, and some of the band members were breakdancing.
They walked the resort and beach a bit, and couldn’t believe the height and wide girth of the Norfolk Island Palms and the large number of cormorants on the beach. It actually seemed they were posing for the tourists’ photos. They took a photo of a bird I have never seen before, the bush stone curlew. The curlews are as plentiful as the cormorants.
Airlie Beach, Whitsunday Region of Queensland
Wednesday, February 22, 2023
Because they could not get the helicopter ride in Tangalooma, Cliff and Joan signed up for the Reef and Island Scenic flight excursion in a small, light airplane. This would be their last chance to see the Great Barrier Reef.
However, when we awoke and looked outside, the entire area was shrouded in fog and dripping rain was drenching everything. We could see dark clouds moving over the mountains toward us. It did not look promising, but we decided to forge ahead. When reporting to the waiting area (one of the main dining rooms), we learned that the first two flight excursions were canceled. After waiting about half an hour, we were informed that all of the flights had been canceled due to low visibility. Even the shuttles to the island were stopped for about 30 minutes during some rough weather.
We decided to take the island shuttle, which was beautiful. However, all of the seats inside were full, so we had to sit on top, which was covered, but open on the sides. Of course the seats were wet, and we all got even more wet from the rain and sea salt spray. However, we could see the islands were lovely, with gorgeous multi-million dollar homes and condos hugging the hills.
On the approach to the island, we could see close up some of the very expensive, modern homes on the shore, and a harbor with lovely boats. Huge black rocks and boulders were piled into walls to protect the shore, but there was also a beach area. When we disembarked, the rain started pouring harder. We entered a welcoming area with a tiny cafe and spotted a sign stating that the markets were canceled for today. We saw many folks from the ship loading up onto shuttle buses to be taken to the main street shops. By now, it was almost noon, and the all-on-board time was 3:00.
It didn’t take much contemplation for us to turn around and go back onto the ferry. This time, we were able to ride in the interior, which was beautiful and air conditioned. There were even small TV monitors advertising the resort and Great Barrier Reef Adventure tours. When we returned to the ship, the very wet gangway was moving back and forth sideways as stewards tried to hold it steady. We had to hold on tight.
As with any vacation plans and cruises you might make, anything can happen that would make you miss what you dreamed to see, so you just take it all in stride. It’s no different from being at home, where you have good days and not so great ones.
Airlie Beach is the big hub area for tourists visiting the Great Barrier Reef. You can take an excursion over to the Proserpine River to see crocodiles, which Australians call “salties.” There is also the Whitsunday Gold Coffee Plantation — 86 acres of Arabica coffee. The biggest attraction, of course, is snorkeling and scuba diving through the largest reef system on the planet, with 400 types of coral and 1,500 species of fish.
I picked up some brochures on the ferry that advertise all-inclusive tours and adventures.
The one that seemed most amazing to me was the two-day/one-night Reefsuites, where you stay in a permanently moored pontoon 39 miles out over the barrier reef. The sleek, modern accommodations are actually underwater. At the foot of your bed, there is a glass floor, and the wall that your bed faces is glass. So you go to bed and wake up looking right out at the sea life. Talk about a “room with a view”! WOW! All meals, beverages, wine and beer are included. You get a guided snorkeling tour and a semi-submarine tour as well. It is $1,500 per person for two people sharing a room, or $1,850 for a single person having his/her own room. What a fantasy suite!
Another option is a full day tour (adult $299 or child $146), where you travel to Reefworld, and snorkel, watch from the underwater observatory, or take a ride in a semi-submarine. You enjoy morning tea, a buffet lunch, and afternoon tea, and then cruise back to shore at sunset.
Sailing adventures are also available, which is also full-day and all-inclusive ($229 per person or child $197). You can hike, enjoy the beach, and snorkel. It includes a BBQ lunch and drinks (including beer and wine), morning and afternoon tea, and snorkeling equipment and stinger suits.
These are only a few examples of the adventures you could enjoy (with clear weather of course), if you ever happen to be looking for a great vacation spot in Australia.
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