After a great stay in Sydney moved on up the east coast to Brisbane.  The city looked a bit like Austin with a river winding through it.   The main reason for our stop in Brisbane was to take a day trip to Moreton Island.  Kai and I embarked on a guided tour at 6:00 am.   Des wasn’t feeling well so he slept in and toured Brisbane on a bike for the day.

Moreton Island is the 3rd largest “sand island” in the world.  (The biggest is Fraser Island just a few hours farther north.)  It’s part Jurassic Park and part Sahara desert.   Anyway, the tour was “touristy” but a super fun way to see the island.  The hour and a half ride on the jumbo passenger and car ferry was smooth.

After “docking” our first activity was a 4 WD adventure to the top of the island via “middle desert road.”  We bumped and rocked through the thickest, heaviest sand I’ve ever seen.  Our driver, Josh, was a pro and the Mitsubishi ute (SUV)  never got stuck.  Others did.  Passing them on the narrow “road” or pulling over in the bush to assist other drivers was just part of the adventure!  Once arriving at the desert,  Kai sand tobogganed down a huge sand dune a couple of times.  He got a mouth full of sand the first time.  Fun as!

 

 

The tour continued with lunch on the beach and snorkeling through the “Wrecks.”  The shipwreck site was created by delivering and deliberately sinking 15 old ships.  This created a breakwall for small boats and cultivated the formation of a natural reef.  The fish came and stayed.  Once in the water we were virtually surrounded by various species of reef fish.  The clear plastic kayaks were also a cool way to see the colorful fish and the ships.

The Sunset Safari guides are a group of young folks from all over the world.  Zee is from Singapore and is a biochemist.  Unable to get a job in Australia right away he became an overqualified kayak and snorkelling guide.  He’s a wild man too!

 

We didn’t get any Gopro footage or water shots but this video below is exactly what it’s like to the spend the day on Moreton Island.

 

Here’s downtown Brisbane in an area sectioned off for the shop and swap market.

Right at home with a 7 Eleven!

To Joshua, the world island expert, sorry but no magnet.  It was a quick trip and the ferry souvenir supply was rather limited.  But I have a friend from Port Aransas who lives in Brisbane.  We didn’t connect with her but I’m hoping she can help us out.