Sandboarding on the Moreton Island sand dunes: Review

Sandboarding on the Moreton Island sand dunes near Brisbane can be high speed fun. Walking back up the sand dunes? Well, that’s less enjoyable…

Moreton Island sandboarding tours

Sandboarding on the Moreton Island sand dunes is one of several activities available on Moreton Island near Brisbane, Queensland. The easiest way to have a go is on a full day tour from Brisbane. The Australian Sunset Safaris day tour also includes snorkelling over the Tangalooma wrecks, glass bottom kayaking and a 4WD adventure through Moreton Island’s interior.

To reserve your place on this $169 tour with a mobile-friendly ticket, book here.

To look into other Moreton Island tours (and there are several), look here.

For a review of the Moreton Island sandboarding experience, read on…

Moreton Island sandboarding review

“I’ve got sand in my eyes, my face, my hair, my mouth,” says the victim of supreme overconfidence as he shakes himself down.

Moreton Island, just a 75 minute catamaran ferry away from Brisbane, probably wouldn’t miss this sand too much if our wiped-out sandboarder took it with him. Moreton Island is the third largest sand island on earth, and has more than enough of the stuff. But people can’t resist taking it on.

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.

How fast is sandboarding on Moreton Island?

Fair play to the 30 metre dune’s most spectacular victim, though. It was his fourth attempt when he decided to go down on his back and completely lost control. Most of the group only managed two descents. As enjoyable as whizzing down a dune at around 30km/h on a strip of waxed-up chipboard is, trudging back up that dune is the sort of torture that should have the guides up for trial in the Hague.

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.

How to do sandboarding

Sandboarding is not a sport that takes a great deal of mastery and strategy. Once at the top, you put your knees in the sand, lie flat on the board, grab the front and lift it with your elbows up like rudimentary wings. Raise your legs slightly, and keep them together, and you’re ready to go. What follows after that is basically a case of just hanging on and hoping gravity doesn’t have any nasty tricks in store. You may only be going as fast as a car pootling past an urban school, but it feels like the equivalent of speeding down a motorway with the windows down.

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.