Tangalooma, seaside resort in Queensland, Australia
Tangalooma is a seaside resort on Moreton Island in Queensland, located just over an hour by ferry from Brisbane. The island features wide sandy beaches, calm waters, and deliberately sunken shipwrecks in shallow areas that have become artificial reefs attracting snorkelers and divers.
The island has been an important fishing and food-gathering site for Aboriginal people for thousands of years. During the 20th century it transformed from a fishing and boating center into a tourism destination, and in the 1970s ships were deliberately sunk to create new recreation activities like snorkeling.
The name Tangalooma comes from the Aboriginal language of the people who have lived and fished on the island for thousands of years. Today, visitors gather at sunset each evening to hand-feed wild dolphins that visit the beach, creating a direct connection with the marine life that inhabits these waters.
The resort is easily reached from Brisbane by ferry in about an hour, making it perfect for day trips or overnight stays. Visitors can explore the grounds on foot, book organized tours for snorkeling and whale watching, or simply enjoy the beaches and pools.
The resort is known for sandboarding at night, where visitors slide down tall dunes on boards for both adrenaline and natural enjoyment. Whale watching is also notable, as migrating humpback whales pass so close to the island during certain months that visitors can spot them from viewing platforms.
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