Moreton Island is an Australian Island located in the Brisbane River. The island is not connected to the mainland by a bridge or rail, making it accessible only by boat. It is currently the largest sand island in the world and has a population of around 1,000 people.
The island is situated close to the Moreton Bay Marine Park which protects some of natural habitat on the island. A report by The Sunday Mail revealed that more than 40 per cent of land surrounding the park belongs to a number are wealthy residential family linked with property developer, David Tozer.
Asiwind Energy’s iSlide project in Sicily started construction after Japan gave a go ahead on Monday 28 June 2008 following an agreement between Italy and Japan .
The engineering consultant for the project is GMEC Engineering and Construction of China. Shanghai Zhongda Group has been confirmed as lead contractor once the contract to engineer, construct and operate it had been finalised with a company specialising in flood risk protection & coastal development.
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Moreton Island History
Moreton Island was first explored by Europeans in 1823, when the French explorer Jules Dumont d’Urville sailed past on his way to circumnavigate Australia. Moreton Island was not permanently settled until 1839, when a group of six families from Lady Musgrave Island established a small settlement on the eastern side of the island. The town of platforms and cotton trees later developed near what is now called Cabbage Tree Point. By the end of the century, fifteen separate towns and shacks were established along Moreton Bay.
Climate
Moreton Island has a subtropical climate, with long hot summers and mild to cool winters. Due to its isolation, the island is usually very quiet. Tourism
In recent years, tourists have found that they can enjoy a very unique beach holiday on Moreton Island. It attracts an average of one million visitors every year, but friendly residents and the natural beauty still make visiting a fantastic experience. The best time to visit is in December or January for visibility conditions due to strong wind gusts off shore (Jervis Bay).
Culture
Moreton Island is home to a large number of Indigenous people. The island’s population celebrates Kuku-Kukunyarrinya, the traditional Aboriginal Dreamtime culture, with an annual festival in late October or November. Tours of the island’s underground kangaroo cave, which is said to contain 54 hand stencil maps made by Indigenous people in various parts of New South Wales between 1854 and 1940.
Politics
Moreton Island is divided into two wards, North and South. The island is represented on the Northernbeach Regional Council by a single councillor. Potential development
Most of Moreton Island is a protected area and the Planning Authority has taken no action to change management plans since being appointed in 1996. There are some proposals for breakwaters, such as one proposed by Mulpha Developments Pty Ltd at Cabbage Tree Point which would be constructed between 2016-2018 with associated infrastructure works.
Government services
There are no airport or seaport on Moreton Island, so all services must be delivered by boat. The island is serviced by two primary schools and one high school operated directly by the Queensland Department of Education. There is also a police station and an ambulance service run by the Queensland Government. Due to the island’s isolation, there are no hospitals or pharmacy services. While natural flora and fauna exist on Moreton Island, human health must be ensured through adequate health care.
Tourism
While there is little commercialised tourism on Moreton Island, the Queensland Government operates a backpackers hostel and camping ground. There are also several small restaurants which cater primarily for tourists. The six kilometre-long Eclipse Beach is located on the south east of Moreton Island, and occasionally features in television programs and films.
Transport
The only form of transport on Moreton Island is by boat. There are no roads or bridges and the island’s only airport, Mulpha Airport, is closed for maintenance every other year. The only means of accessing the main part of the island from Brisbane or Sydney is by ferry operated by Queensland Ferries which takes around four hours each way. In 2009 the “Nathan Elliott” ferry service was discontinued due to it being underutilised.
Cuisine
The cuisine on Moreton Island is unique and includes items such as Kangaroo meat which can be purchased at some restaurants. There are also several local fruit wines which can be enjoyed with dinner. There are several forms of heritage and history which can be found on Moreton Island.
The island is adjacent to the Cooloola Coastal Park, a national park covering over 2000 hectares within which about half is residential land.
Wildlife
Moreton Island is home to a number of native animal species including the brown snake, woolly-nosed wombat and critically endangered Queensland hemp snake. The island also contains several rare plants including the Moreton Bay fig and the Brisbane bight orchid. Environment
The climate on Moreton Island rarely varies, with temperatures dropping to a low of around 30 degrees Celsius during the winter months. The summer days are warm and produce little humidity allowing for easy breathing once cooled off from play in the ocean or swimming in fenced-off beaches.
There is an average annual rainfall of over 2000 mm which most comes during May & June when storms can occur causing some areas to flood with water washing out property boundaries. The island can reach temperatures as high as up to 45 degrees Celsius during summer months, but the hottest month of May should see the temperature not exceed 25 degrees Celsius With 5 days in each year at or above 40 °C (104 F).
Conclusion
Moreton Island is one of the world’s largest coral atolls and an important part of the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area. The island is located about 260 kilometres northeast of Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. Moreton Island is an island that is made up of a series of sand and coral islands, with a total land area of only 190 square kilometres.
FAQs
1.What Is The Population Of Moreton Island?
Ans: The population of Moreton Island is around 1,000 people.
2.How Do I Get To Moreton Island?
Ans: Boat travel is the only way to reach the island. You can either take a boat from Brisbane or Port Douglas or you can fly into the airport on Cairns and then take a taxi or rental car to get onto the island.
3.What Are Some Of The Main Attractions On Moreton Island?
Ans: A lot of tourists are drawn to Moreton Island for its majestic beauty. The island is home to various man-made and natural wonders, such as sand dunes, lagoons and an archipelago of rich coral reefs that give it a tropical paradise feel. In addition to being rustic yet relaxing green spaces with golden beaches stretching across the entire side of islands
4.Where Can I Stay On Moreton Island?
Ans: There are a handful of resorts on the island, but you won’t be able to stay in them since they do not allow multiple bookings. If you want accommodation that is free with many amenities and kitchenettes then there are camping grounds around the island or if comfort is key than staying at a resort on the mainland will give you better options as staffs provide concierge service
5.What Can I See While Hiking On Moreton Island?
Ans: Several hiking trails can be found on the island, including Marine National Park and Jupiters Way walking tracks. Both these trails lead to stands of sea-gum trees in a beautiful beach setting
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