Tangalooma Island Resort + 4WD Desert Safari Day Tour

From $165

Multiple departures available

  • Tangalooma Island 4WD desert safari day trip from Brisbane
  • Scenic ferry transfers to and from Tangalooma Island Resort
  • One tea, coffee or soft drink per guest aboard the ferry boat
  • 4WD bus ride from resort to the Tangalooma Desert
  • Walk-on desert access – trek directly onto the desert dunes
  • Option to sand toboggan down the dunes on Masonite boards
  • Resort lunch voucher included
  • Access to use resort facilities
  • Eco Ranger shows & Discover the World of Dolphins video presentation
  • Choose your preferred starting time from Brisbane (7:30am or 10:00am)
  • For the complete experience and extended island time, opt one of our optional upgrades at the time of booking
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About This Experience

The Tangalooma 4WD Desert Safari Tour is a full-day Moreton Island adventure that combines scenic ferry transfers, an off-road ride through the island's rugged interior and the thrill of sand tobogganing down its towering desert dunes. With a guided 4WD experience, plenty of time to enjoy Tangalooma Island Resort and access to one of the island's most unique landscapes, it's a fun-filled day that blends adventure with relaxation.

The Desert Safari Experience
Your day begins with a scenic catamaran cruise across Moreton Bay to Tangalooma Island Resort, where you'll have time to soak up the island ambience before setting off on an exciting 4WD safari. Driving through sandy bush tracks and native coastal landscapes, your guide will take you into the heart of Moreton Island, revealing a side of the island that most visitors never see.
The highlight of the tour is Moreton Island's spectacular desert, where vast white sand dunes create one of Queensland's most distinctive natural playgrounds. Here, you'll grab a sand toboggan and race down the steep slopes, experiencing one of the island's most iconic adventures. Suitable for a wide range of ages, sand tobogganing is an exhilarating yet accessible activity that's as entertaining to watch as it is to experience.

Tangalooma Island Resort Activities
After your desert adventure, you'll have time to unwind at Tangalooma Island Resort. Relax by the pools, stroll along the beach or enjoy lunch using your included voucher before exploring the resort's cafés, bars and facilities. If you'd like to make your day even more memorable, optional upgrades include staying later on the island to watch the famous wild dolphin feeding from the jetty, enjoying a sunset cocktail overlooking the bay or taking a scenic helicopter flight over Moreton Island before returning to Brisbane.

Who Is This Tour Best Suited For
This experience is perfect for those who want to experience Moreton Island beyond its beaches and discover its spectacular inland landscapes. It's especially well suited to first-time visitors, families and groups of friends looking for an adventure that's exciting without requiring any previous experience.

Cruise Details

Location Holt Street Wharf, Pinkenba

Departure Boards Departs Returns Duration
1 06:30 07:30 17:30 11hr
2 09:30 10:00 17:30 8hr
 

  • Tangalooma Island 4WD desert safari day trip from Brisbane
  • Scenic ferry transfers to and from Tangalooma Island Resort
  • One tea, coffee or soft drink per guest aboard the ferry boat
  • 4WD bus ride from resort to the Tangalooma Desert
  • Walk-on desert access – trek directly onto the desert dunes
  • Option to sand toboggan down the dunes on Masonite boards
  • Resort lunch voucher included
  • Access to use resort facilities
  • Eco Ranger shows & Discover the World of Dolphins video presentation
  • Choose your preferred starting time from Brisbane (7:30am or 10:00am)
  • For the complete experience and extended island time, opt one of our optional upgrades at the time of booking

  • One of the few Tangalooma tours with no minimum age, perfectly suited for the whole family
  • A 4WD bus ride through bushland tracks most day-trippers never see, before reaching the desert itself
  • Sand tobogganing down towering dunes, consistently one of the most talked-about parts of a Tangalooma visit
  • A full resort day pass bundled in around the safari, so it's an adventure activity plus a beach day in one booking

Lunch Voucher
Redeemable at any open resort food outlet, choose from burgers, pizza, pasta, salads, nachos and more.

  • Adult Price

    from $165

  • Child (4–15 years)

    from $125

220 Holt Street, Pinkenba, QLD 4008

Google Map - CLICK HERE

  • 6:30am: Check-in at Holt Street Wharf, Pinkenba
  • 7:30am: Depart Brisbane for Moreton Island (approx. 75-minute transfer)
  • 8:45am: Arrive Tangalooma, receive your Rego card and vouchers
  • Free time on Moreton Island
  • Allocated Time For 4WD Desert Safari : 4WD bus transfer through bushland to the desert, then sand tobogganing on the dunes
  • Resort Access: Free time at Tangalooma Island Resort - pools, beach, lunch voucher; upgrade activities if chosen
  • 3:15pm: Discover the World of Dolphins presentation at the Eco-Centre
  • 4:00pm: Return ferry departs Tangalooma Island Resort Wharf
  • 5:15pm: Arrive back at Holt Street Wharf, Brisbane

  • Alcoholic beverages


Tangalooma Island Resort + 4WD Desert Safari Day Tour (this package): The best choice for discovering Moreton Island's spectacular inland landscapes. Enjoy a guided 4WD adventure through bushland and the island's towering sand dunes, finishing with the thrill of sand tobogganing.

Tangalooma Island Resort + ATV Quad Bike Day Cruise (see alternate package): Looking for a faster-paced adventure? Swap the 4WD safari for a guided ATV quad bike ride through purpose-built beach and bushland tracks.

  • Cancellation requests must be submitted via email to help@australiancruisegroup.com.au
  • Refunds, where applicable, will be processed to the original payment method.
  • No correspondence will be entertained for cancellations made after the free-cancellation period.
  • A ‘no-show’ refers to any confirmed passenger who fails to board the vessel prior to scheduled departure. Please note, we make every effort to ensure our cruises depart on time. It is highly recommended that all passengers are ready for boarding 15 minutes prior to the stated time.
  • An individual booking is defined as all bookings having less than 10 passengers on a single E-ticket. Individual bookings require full payment at time of booking.
  • Up to 4 days prior: Full refund
  • Within 3 days: 100% cancellation fee
  • Group bookings are defined as all bookings for 10 or more passengers on a single E-ticket. Group bookings can be made with a partial payment of 20% as deposit. The balance amount must be paid 7 days before the cruise date. 
  • Up to 7 days prior: Full refund
  • Within 6 days: 100% cancellation fee

  • Island Resort Accessibility: Tangalooma Island Resort is wheelchair friendly, with disabled toilets, paved footpaths and ramp access to most facilities including restaurant and dining areas.
  • Wheelchair Access for Boat Transfers: Crew will do their best to accommodate motorised wheelchairs and mobility scooters, though larger wheelchairs can occasionally find the tight turns onto the boats difficult.
  • Beach Wheelchair Hire: A limited number of beach wheelchairs are available at the resort. These cannot be pre-booked and are supplied subject to availability on the day.

Is there a minimum age for the Desert Safari?
No minimum age is listed for this tour, unlike most other Tangalooma activities, making it one of the few options genuinely suited to very young children as well as adults.

What should I wear for sand tobogganing?
Comfortable, closed-toe shoes are recommended, along with clothes you don't mind getting sandy. Sunscreen and a hat are worth packing too, since the dunes offer little shade.

Is the 4WD ride itself an activity, or just transport to the dunes?
It is part of the experience. The 4WD bus travels through bushland tracks most visitors never see on their own before arriving at the desert for the tobogganing.

How many runs down the dunes do we get?
The safari includes sand tobogganing as part of the tour, with guides managing turns on the day so everyone in the group gets a go.

Is sand tobogganing difficult?
Not at all. No previous experience is required, and your guide will explain how to use the sand toboggan before you head down the dunes.

Do I need to be physically fit for this tour?
The tour is suitable for most fitness levels. While you'll need to walk up the sand dune between rides, the activity is designed to be accessible for a wide range of ages and abilities.

How much time do we spend at the desert?
The exact duration varies depending on the day's schedule and group size, but you'll have ample time to experience the dunes and enjoy sand tobogganing before returning to the resort.

Are there restroom facilities during the tour?
Facilities are available at Tangalooma Island Resort before and after the safari. As the desert is a natural environment, amenities are limited during the excursion itself.

Can I bring a camera or phone?
Yes. You're welcome to bring your phone or camera to capture the spectacular dune scenery, but it's a good idea to keep electronics in a protective case, as sand can easily get into devices.

Will the tour operate in wet weather?
Tours generally operate in most weather conditions. If severe weather affects safety or accessibility, the operator will advise guests of any changes.

Are there opportunities to see wildlife during the tour?
Yes. While the focus is on Moreton Island's desert landscape, you may also spot native birds and other wildlife during the 4WD journey through the island's bushland. The ferry journey itself also offers the chance to see dolphins, turtles and, seasonally, migrating whales.

Is this a good alternative to snorkelling or kayaking?
Absolutely. The Desert Safari is ideal for travellers who want an exciting Moreton Island adventure without taking part in water-based activities, making it a great option for families and visitors of all confidence levels.

  • Check-in at Holt Street Wharf is required at least 1 hour prior to departure
  • The return cruise departs Tangalooma Island Resort Wharf by 4:00pm unless an island-time upgrade is booked
  • On check-in you'll receive a Rego card with your vouchers; it carries a QR code linking to the return ferry schedule and full inclusions detail
What to Bring
  • Swimwear
  • Towel
  • Beachwear
  • Daypack
  • Closed-toe shoes

Please refer to our full passengers terms and conditions on the following link;

https://www.australiancruisegroup.com.au/national-terms-of-services

From $165

Multiple departures available

  • Tangalooma Island 4WD desert safari day trip from Brisbane
  • Scenic ferry transfers to and from Tangalooma Island Resort
  • One tea, coffee or soft drink per guest aboard the ferry boat
  • 4WD bus ride from resort to the Tangalooma Desert
  • Walk-on desert access – trek directly onto the desert dunes
  • Option to sand toboggan down the dunes on Masonite boards
  • Resort lunch voucher included
  • Access to use resort facilities
  • Eco Ranger shows & Discover the World of Dolphins video presentation
  • Choose your preferred starting time from Brisbane (7:30am or 10:00am)
  • For the complete experience and extended island time, opt one of our optional upgrades at the time of booking
Enquire Now Book Now

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