Suburb Profiles
Moreton Island (4025)
Owner-Occupier Appeal
Moreton Island (Mulgumpin) lies around 40 km northeast of Brisbane, forming one of the largest sand islands in the world. It’s almost entirely national park, with only a few small settlements - Bulwer, Cowan Cowan, and Kooringal - home to a mix of off-grid houses, fishing shacks, and a handful of tourism properties. The rest of the island is dunes, forest, and beach.
For owner-occupiers, Moreton Island offers complete isolation and natural beauty, but almost no convenience. There are no sealed roads, schools, or supermarkets, and power and water are self-supplied via solar and rainwater tanks. Living here full-time means being self-sufficient, travelling by barge or private boat, and accepting limited access to services. It’s stunning but demanding - more retreat than suburb.
Investor Appeal
For investors, Moreton Island offers niche, lifestyle-oriented opportunities rather than mainstream property investment. Most buyers here purchase holiday homes or eco-accommodation sites, catering to 4WD tourists, campers, and fishing groups. Rental yields can be strong during peak seasons but drop sharply in winter or bad weather.
Maintenance costs are high due to isolation and salt exposure, and property turnover is very low. There’s no development pipeline, no infrastructure expansion, and no urban growth - just a slow, steady market of lifestyle buyers.
Key Suburb Features
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Demographics
The population is tiny and transient - a few hundred semi-permanent residents and caretakers, plus seasonal tourism workers. The island’s main communities (Bulwer, Cowan Cowan, and Kooringal) are friendly but isolated, with social life revolving around local bars, the beach, and visiting tourists. The vibe is relaxed, outdoorsy, and self-reliant.
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Distance to City
Moreton Island is about 40 km northeast of Brisbane, but travel is weather-dependent. The MiCat ferry from the Port of Brisbane takes about 75–90 minutes, followed by 4WD-only access to reach settlements. There’s no public transport and no direct road access - every trip requires planning around tides and ferry schedules.
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Suburb Projects & Growth Potential
There are no major infrastructure or development projects on Moreton Island, and none are likely. Nearly the entire island is protected under the Moreton Island National Park, and strict environmental laws prevent new subdivisions or large-scale construction.
Growth potential is minimal - values move slowly, driven by lifestyle demand and scarcity rather than population or infrastructure. Tourism continues to provide some economic underpinning, especially around Tangalooma Resort, but property investment is limited to existing freehold settlements.
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Flood Risk
The island isn’t flood-prone in the traditional sense but is exposed to coastal erosion, storm surge, and cyclonic weather. Beachfront houses and low-lying access tracks can be affected during major storms or king tides. The island’s shifting dunes make erosion monitoring an ongoing issue, particularly along the western beaches.
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Best Buy in the Suburb
Property: Beachfront house or off-grid cottage in Bulwer or Cowan Cowan with solar power, water tanks, and elevated dune positioning for storm protection.
Moreton Island is one of South East Queensland’s most beautiful places - untouched beaches, sand dunes, and crystal-clear water - but it’s not a practical place to live. Life here is entirely off-grid and weather-dependent, better suited to those chasing simplicity and isolation than convenience.
From an investment standpoint, it’s not about growth or yield - it’s about owning a rare slice of paradise. For most people, Moreton is a destination, not a home. For a few, it’s freedom at its rawest.
