The BEST experience ever!!

One of my favourite animals is the Dolphin, I have loved them since I was a child.  Like a lot of people I have seen them in captivity performing to an audience and only once before seen them in their natural habitat in Scotland at the Moray Firth.

This experience was by far the best so far (i’m yet to swim with them).

One weekend we headed off to Moreton Island to a resort called Tangalooma. This was an amazing beautiful place with white sandy beaches, a host of activities and a lovely hotel.

We stayed for just the one night but it was one of the best weekends in my time in Australia. The general manager and his partner took me for the weekend so I must say a BIG Thank you to Ian & Debbie who looked after me so well.

To get to Tangalooma from Brisbane is very easy, they have their own ferry (catamaran) which runs 4 times daily and takes about 75 minutes to get there – you could be anywhere in Paradise and not from from the city at all.  Cruise ships also visit Tangalooma and tender nearby for guests to spend time here and enjoy the many activities on offer. We caught the ferry at 10.00am and returned at 4.00pm the next day so plenty of time to see the Island.  Next time I go I will stay longer as so much more to do.

Tangalooma all started back in the 1970’s when the Osborne family visited as guests, during that time they watched the dolphins visit the resort jetty at night. Lights had recently been installed so were attracting bait fish for the dolphins to hunt. In 1980 the Osborne’s purchased the resort property. During the 1980’s Brian & Betty Osborne continued to visit the jetty at night to look out for the dolphins, the most regular dolphin they named ‘Eric’ but was soon found to be female as returned with a calf which they named Bobo, so Eric was then named Beauty.  In 1992 Betty decided to try and hand feed Beauty as she was becoming very friendly which was successful but was late at night.  So they decided to go a little earlier to train the dolphins to come at 6pm – so this is how it all began and is still very popular to this day.

The family of dolphins grew hence why there are so many here now who come in at 6pm to feed.  Not all arrive every night as depends how well they have fed during the day as the resort only give them approx 20% of their daily intake of fish.

We checked into our room and left our bags then headed off for a walk down the beach to view the ‘Wrecks’ – this took about 45 mins to walk there and of course I had to go in the sea for a little swim.  As it was their winter the Aussie’s think it’s too cold but not for me!

The Tangalooma wrecks came about in 1963 as a result of lobbying by recreational boat owners for a safe anchorage. The wrecks consists of a line of old Harbours and Marine Department steam driven dredges and barges on the edge of a sandbank that were deliberately sunk with the Maryborough being the first vessel. Recently the tops have been cut off them and signs advising not to climb on them have been erected to make it a safer swimming environment.

The Wrecks are not far off the beach so it is possible to swim out to them if you are wanting to explore and have your own snorkelling gear, but be aware of the current that sweeps between the wrecks and the beach when the tide is running, don’t try to swim against it, swim back and walk along the beach further.

We walked back to the hotel to get ready for my dolphin feeding, Ian & Debbie have done this a few times before so it was just me and they took all the photos which I am very grateful for.

We were very lucky as we had about 9 of the dolphins come in that evening so I was in my element.  I actually got emotional when I saw them for the first time by the jetty and cried a little.

Soon it was time to go onto the beach and wait for my turn to feed a dolphin, you can choose which dolphin you want to feed (if they come in), I wanted to feed Zephyr but he didn’t come in so I fed Tangles instead. I went to the back of the queue hoping I’d get a bit longer as no-one waiting behind me & my plan paid off – I actually got to give Tangles 5 fish as was chatting to the staff member about my love of dolphins. The only thing is you cannot touch them as they are wild but Tangles did rub against my leg and my hand whilst in the water so I was very happy!! The experience only lasts a few minutes but I will never forget it.

After the dolphin feeding we headed back to our room to change for dinner & on route I met this little guy!!

We had a lovely dinner and few drinks, I was absolutely buzzing after my dolphin feeding and was extremely happy so we had a great night.  I was exhausted though so had a good nights sleep ready for our adventure the next day.

The next morning we went for breakfast to set us up for the day as we were waking to the ‘Desert’ – yes there is a desert in the middle of the Island. This takes a couple of hours depending which way you go. The way we went feels longer but it is easier to get up there than all the steps.  This was a beautiful spot where you can go tobogganing down the sand dunes, we didn’t do this but was great to watch.  We sat for an hour or so just relaxing then headed back down the steps and along the beach to get back for some lunch.

The views from the top were stunning, such a gorgeous beach and the colours of the water….

There is a whole host of acrivities to do at Tangalooma so great for a family holiday as something for everyone. Here is the full list available – some things you have to pay extra for but so worth it.  On arrival you get a programme of events and what is on for the time you are there so can easily plan you time and make the most of it.

Desert Safari Tour + sand tobogganing*     ATV Quad Bike Tours*     Marine Discovery Cruise*     Whale Watch Cruise (June to October)*     Helicopter Joy flights*     Parasailing*     Whale Watch Bus Safari (Jun- Oct)*     Northern Safari Tour*     4WD Car Hire*     Private Island Tours*     Helicopter Transfers*    Segway tours*     Dusk kayaking tour to the wrecks*     Fish feeding Tour at Wrecks*     Sunset cruises*     Tinnie / motor boat hire*     Kayak hire*     Kid’s Club Activities (school holidays)*   Tennis     Squash     Croquet     Boule     Table Tennis     Basketball     Badminton     Soccer     Beach Volleyball     Cricket     Golf putting and golf driving net     Helicopter Workshop     Board games     Special Events on the Big Screens      Beach swimming     Swim in resort pools

Snorkeling tours to the Wrecks*      Catamaran hire*      Banana boat rides*      Stand-up paddle board hire *      Scuba gear hire and tank refills*      Snorkel gear hire*      Fishing rod and tackle gear hire*      Wetsuit hire*      Deck chair hire*      Beach umbrella hire*      Pool noodle hire*     Massage & beauty treatments*      Back of House Tour           Discover the dolphin care programme      Dolphin Feeding*       Pelican Feeding       Kookaburra Feeding       Fish Feeding*    Tangalooma Horse Racing Cup     Karaoke Nights     Trivia Night     Bingo Night

We had lunch then it was time to head off back to the city on the ferry.  I had the most amazing time here and would surely recommend a visit if you have time whilst staying in Brisbane.

A few more pictures of this beautiful place….

If you fancy visiting Tangalooma please do not hesitate to give me a call or drop me a line.