Dolphin-feeding at Tangalooma Island Resort, Moreton Island

The wild dolphin-feeding experience at the Tangalooma Island Resort is one of the main reasons to visit Moreton Island near Brisbane, Queensland.

On Moreton Island, near Brisbane in Queensland, visitors gather around the Tangalooma Island Resort’s jetty every evening. They’re here to witness the wild dolphins’ regular post-sunset appearance for their daily feed.

This event is the tentpeg of Moreton Island’s appeal, despite the bewildering list of activities offered by the resort, including snorkelling around shipwrecks, kayaking tours, fat-biking along the beach, and sand-boarding down massive inland dunes.

To skip the explanation and book a Moreton Island tour that includes the dolphin-feeding experience, head this way…

Tangalooma Whaling Station to Tangalooma Island Resort

The history of Tangalooma Resort is unique, as it used to be the site of the Tangalooma Whaling Station, which opened in 1952 and closed in 1962 due to the lack of whales left. The site was sold to developers to become a resort in 1963 and was bought by regular guests, the Osborne family, in 1980.

Which Moreton Island tour should I pick?

There are several Moreton Island tour options, most including the ferry transfer. Pick your tour based on the activities you want to do.

For guided kayaking, snorkelling and sandboarding, book here.
For whale-watching on the way, plus a resort day pass, pick this winter months option.
To go on a marine discovery cruise and snorkel through the Tangalooma shipwrecks, try here.
For dolphin-feeding, use of resort facilities and a choice of other tours, go on the Tangalooma tour.

It was the Osbornes who noticed that the lights on the jetty were attracting bait fish at night, which in turn attracted dolphins, particularly Eric, who was renamed Beauty in 1986 when “he” turned up with a calf.

6 supreme Brisbane day trips that will improve your holiday

Moreton Island day trip – with kayaking, sandboarding and snorkelling or with dolphin-feeding and desert dunes adventure.
Springbrook National Park glowworms and rainforest tour – including Tamborine Skywalk.
Eumundi Markets day trip – Australia’s best markets, plus the Sunshine Coast Hinterland and Noosa.
North Stradbroke Island day tour – with cruise, wildlife spotting and guided walk.
Tamborine Mountain winery tour – with gourmet lunch.
Maialia rainforest walking and wildlife tour – visit lesser-known D’Aguilar National Park.

Hand-feeding the Tangalooma dolphins

To improve Beauty’s diet, the Osbornes left a bucket of fresh fish for guests to throw into the water. In 1992, the hand-feeding experiment started, with Beauty coming into shoulder-deep water and taking fish from Betty’s hand.

Soon, Beauty started encouraging her calves to do the same. More members of the dolphin pod started turning up, and the hand-feeding was extended to resort guests, with rules put in place to ensure the dolphins did not become reliant on handouts.

Beauty’s legacy on Moreton Island

Today, many of the 14 regular visitors to the Tangalooma jetty are Beauty’s children and grandchildren. The family tree and history of the dolphins are explained in the resort’s Eco-Centre.

The transformation of Tangalooma Island Resort from an industrial-scale whale slaughterhouse to a popular tourist attraction is rather good for the soul. However, the dolphins remain the main attraction, and guests come from far and wide to witness their regular post-sunset appearance and feed them.

Dolphin-feeding on Moreton Island, Queensland. Photo courtesy of Tourism and Events Queensland/ Tourism Australia.

Other things to do on Moreton Island, Queensland

There are several accommodation options at the Tangalooma Island Resort, including hotel rooms, suites and villas. Bookings should be made online.

Other Moreton Island activities include sandboarding, camping and snorkelling on the Tangalooma wrecks.

Access to the island is via the Tangalooma Ferry or Micat ferry from Brisbane. Many visitors, however, choose to visit on a Moreton Island day tour. There are several options for such tours, all including slightly different activities. If the dolphin-feeding is your main priority, make sure you pick a tour that includes the dolphin-feeding.

9 brilliant Brisbane experiences to book in advance

Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary tickets (or entry plus river cruise combo) – hold a koala and see lots of adorable native wildlife.
Brisbane River cruise – see the key sights and learn about the city on the way.
Story Bridge Adventure Climb – walk along the top of Brisbane’s famous bridge, with 360 degree views.
Combine the Southbank Parklands, City Botanic Gardens and Kangaroo Point Cliffs on a fun Segway tour.
Helicopter flight – see the city from a bird’s eye view.
Kayaking tour – choose the night tour to see the city light up, the day tour to enjoy the sunshine.
XXXX brewery tour – see how Australia’s most famous beer is made.
Guided wine flight tasting – get an Aussie wine introductory course.
See Brisbane’s spooky side on a city centre ghost tour.