Moreton Island
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Moreton Island is a large sand island on the Eastern side of Moreton Bay, on the coast of South-East Queensland, Australia. The island covers an area of approximately 170 square kilometres, and extends for 38 kilometres from north to south. Moreton Island lies 40 kilometres east of the Queensland capital, Brisbane.
Cape Moreton, at the north eastern tip of the island, is the only rock outcrop on the island. It was named Cape Morton by Captain James Cook in May 1770, and was at that time assumed to be part of the mainland. The current spelling came about because of a clerical error later.
Most of the island is contained within the Moreton Island National Park. The highest point on the island is named Mount Tempest, which, at 278 metres, is reputedly the highest sand dune in the world.
During World War II, a number of defense installations were installed on the island by the Royal Australian Navy and Australian Army. These sites included anti aircraft guns and mine control buildings. Their purpose was to protect the approaches to the port of Brisbane.
Between 1952 and 1962, Tangalooma, on the western side of the island, was the site of Queenslands only whaling station, with Humpback whales being harvested on their annual migration north. The site of the whaling station is now the Tangalooma Wild Dolphin Resort. The flensing deck of the station still exists as part of the resort. The island is nowadays an attractive site for whale watching.