Are there any crocodiles on Moreton Island, Queensland?
Moreton Island is not in Queensland’s Croc Country, so the chances of encountering a crocodile on Moreton Island are tiny, if not totally impossible.
Moreton Island in Queensland is one of the most popular day trips from Brisbane.
Activities available at Moreton Island include hand-feeding wild dolphins, sandboarding down the sand dunes and snorkelling amongst the shipwrecks.
Whether you take the Micat ferry or Tangalooma ferry, there are several great Moreton Island tour options from Brisbane.
However, many visitors will be unsure about whether it’s safe to go swimming at Moreton Island. After all, Queensland has a large crocodile population, and many aren’t quite sure how far south crocodiles come.
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.
Crocodiles on Moreton Island
For reassurance, take a look at the Queensland Government’s Crocwise initiative. This draws a map of where Queensland’s Croc Country is. Crucially for anyone visiting Moreton Island, the island is not within the typical crocodile habitat region.
The dividing line of Croc Country is the Boyne River near Gladstone. Anywhere south of the Boyne River, you are highly unlikely to encounter saltwater crocodiles.
Mooloolaba is south of the Boyne River – although not by a massive margin. It is extremely unlikely that you’ll encounter a crocodile on Moreton Island.
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.
What happens if a crocodile is seen on Moreton Island?
That is not, however, to say that it is impossible to encounter a crocodile on Moreton Island. Crocs have occasionally ventured south of the Boyne River before, although this is a very rare occurrence.
Crocs have gone south of the Boyne River before, though. In January 2023, for example, there were reports of one spotted off North Stradbroke Island, 500km south of Croc Country.
Under the Queensland Crocodile Management Plan, Moreton Island is in Zone F – the atypical habitat zone.
Any crocodiles found in Zone F are immediately targeted for capture and removal. So, in the highly unlikely event a crocodile is seen in Moreton Island, it’ll be got rid of pretty quickly.
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.
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