Located just off the coast of Brisbane in Queensland is one of my favourite places in the world – Moreton Island. Big claim, I know, but honestly, this sand island heaven on earth if you are someone who loves to switch off from the world and simplify life for a while.
Moreton Island (also known as Mulgumpin) is one of the world’s largest sand islands, and it is here that you’ll find one of the best 4WD camping adventures in the country. There is very little development here, with crystal-clear freshwater lakes, historic shipwrecks, remote surf beaches, and some of the world’s best wild camping spots.
In my opinion, Moreton Island has some of the most stunning untouched coastal scenery in Australia, and it’s easily accessible via a 75-minute ferry from Brisbane.
If you’re looking for a once-in-a-lifetime adventure on the east coast of Australia, this is it.
Take a look at this view from my 4WD on my most recent Moreton Island adventure…
Before we tuck into the Moreton Island packing list, if you’re wondering how to get to Moreton Island, you have a couple of options:
- With a 4WD (whether you hire one or you have your own): Book the Micat ferry, pack up your 4WD and you’re ready to go!
- Without a 4WD: Book one of the passenger ferries through Tangalooma Resort here or you can book as a foot passenger on the Micat ferry too.
No, you cannot drive to Moreton Island in a standard car, it is a 4WD-only island with sand roads only.
If you’re looking for the best things to do on Moreton Island, the best time to visit Moreton Island and how to get around Moreton Island (whether you bring a 4WD or not), you can check out my complete guide to Moreton Island here.
In this 4WD guide and Moreton Island packing list, I’m going to give you a complete checklist for camping on Moreton Island. I’ve done it 4 times now, so I feel well-versed in what you will need to take and what you will wish you’d had.
Preparing for your 4WD adventure on Moreton Island
Once you’re on the island, you’re pretty much self-reliant. There are only two very small general stores on the whole island, one in Bulwer (Castaways) and one in Kooringal (The Gutter Bar). So you want to prepare like there are no shops and plan to take everything with you.
Of course, there is the Tangalooma Resort, the largest development on the island, located right where the ferry arrives and departs. This is a guest-only resort, though, so unless you’re booked in, you won’t be able to access the facilities or restaurants.
Moreton Island is about going off grid, removing conveniences and providing for yourself!
See my complete guide to Moreton Island here, including the best things to do, the best places to camp and what to expect on your island adventure!
Let’s get you packed, shall we?
Booking your ferry, vehicle permit and camping pass
First up, you’ll want to book your ferry. There is only one vehicle ferry that goes to the island – Micat Ferries, which makes it easy. They do however get pretty booked out (especially during peak season), and there is a limit to cars allowed on the island, so once you know your dates, get them booked in!
You can either purchase a vehicle pass as an add-on to your ferry booking, or you can get it on the Moreton Island website here for $59.80.
When it comes to camping on Moreton Island, there are 5 campgrounds and 5 camping zones on the island, all of which require you to purchase a pass before arriving on the island. There is no self-registration on the island, and a fine applies if you are caught on the island without one.
Once you’ve got your ferry ticket and camping pass, it’s time to prepare your 4WD.
4WD & Vehicle Essentials
Here are a list of things to make sure you have on board to prepare for all eventualities. When you’re on Moreton Island, you’ll see the SICKEST set-ups and the chances are if you forget something, someone will have it. People tend to be time-rich on the island and love to help out, but of course, you don’t want to rely on that. You want to prepare for radical self-reliance!
- Vehicle access permit (printed or offline)
- Ferry booking confirmation (they will send you a QR code, no need to print)
- Portable tyre deflator (to let down your tyres on the ferry 16-18 PSI)
- Air compressor to inflate tyres en route back (they have the system on the ferry, so you don’t need your own)
- Snatch strap (tow rope) + Shovel (in case you get stuck, pretty common!)
- Recovery tracks
- Full-size spare tyre / Jumper leads / Basic tool kit
- Service your vehicle before leaving (at least top up engine oil & coolant)
- Fill up your fuel before you get on the ferry (there’s a petrol station at the ferry port)
Camping Equipment
- Tent/swag/rooftop tent (somewhere to sleep!)
- Sand pegs + Mallet
- Sleeping bag/bedding/pillow
- Sleeping mat or air mattress
- Shade shelter or tarp (you’ll want this!!)
- Head torch (super handy if you arrive in the dark to set up the tent and still be hands-free!)
- Power bank or portable battery
Kitchen, Cooking and Dining
- Camp chairs
- Folding table
- Gas stove or BBQ
- spare gas canisters
- Lighter or matches
- Esky or 12V fridge
- Ice blocks (you can pick up a bag of ice at the garage at Brisbane ferry port)
- Food for the entire trip (lots of dried, easy-to-store food)
- Drinking water (minimum 5L per person per day, take more not less)
- Cooking oil
- Salt, pepper & basic spices
- Chopping board
- Sharp knife
- coffee press
- Frypan + Saucepan
- Plates & bowls
- Cutlery
- Cups/mugs
- Tea towel
- Dishwashing liquid & sponge (I like to take a bucket, too, to collect dirty dishes!)
- Rubbish bags (take everything off the island)
- firewood/firelighters
Beach Day and Island Essentials
- Swimmers
- Snorkel & mask (Tangalooma Wrecks)
- Microfibre or quick-dry towel
- Reef-safe sunscreen
- Pack of cards/beach games
- Sunglasses + Hat (all the shade you can find)
- Sandals or water shoes (easy to slip on are so good on the island.
- Speaker
- Beach mat or picnic blanket
- Beach umbrella/form of shade structure
- Daypack for essentials on little wanders
- Insulated waterbottle (keep your water as cool as possible)
- Insect repellent, long trousers for evening cover
- Aloe vera or after-sun
- Floaties for relaxing on the water and lakes
Personal Clothing Bits
Island life doesn’t require much, so just pack the essentials!
- Lightweight, breathable outfits
- Warm layer for evenings
- Thin layers to protect from sunset mozzies
- Rain jacket or windbreaker
- Underwear
- Socks + shoes for walking
- Sleepwear
- Quick-dry clothes
- Swimsuits + easy cover-up
- Hats
Toilettries, Medication + Sun Protection
- Toothbrush & toothpaste
- Wet wipes/baby wipes (so useful for all things)
- Biodegradable soaps
- Hand sanitiser
- Toilet paper
- First aid kit
- Personal medications
- Motion sickness tablets (if you need them for the ferry)
- Ibroprufen
- Sunscreen/lip balms/aftersun
Other tips: Navigation, Tech + Safety
- Offline Google maps downloaded + physical island map (pick one up off the ferry)
- Download playlists
- GoPro / camera
- Phone chargers (12V recommended)
- Emergency contact numbers
- Screenshot the tide chart (essential for beach driving, especially on the south of the island!)
That’s your Moreton Island packing list complete! At least I think haha!
Have you been to Moreton Island, Australia?
What are the best things to do on Moreton Island, Australia? Anything you’d add to this Moreton Island packing list?
Love as always and happy adventuring…
