About 4x4 Hire on Moreton

A 4x4 Hire Company for Moreton Island. People have the ability to book a car to enjoy on the island during their holiday.

Discover Moreton Island 4x4 Hire

4x4 Hire on Moreton is your gateway to exploring Moreton Island in a rugged and adventurous way. Our mission is to provide top-quality 4x4 vehicles for hire, allowing visitors to experience the breathtaking beauty of Moreton Island at their own pace. We are passionate about delivering exceptional service and ensuring our customers have an unforgettable adventure on the island.

We have teamed up with Moreton Getaway who are responsible for managing bookings and all on island support. You will notice your enquiry for a
booking goes to Moreton Getaway – they live on the island and manage both 4WD rentals and accommodation. To learn more about them and packages go to www.moretongetaway.com.au

Moreton Island Driver Guide - History & Highlights

About Moreton Island (Mulgumpin)

Moreton Island is the third largest sand island in the world, just off the coast of Brisbane.
It’s 37 km long and 10 km wide, made entirely of sand – no rocks except at Cape Moreton.
Over 98% of the island is National Park, protected for its wildlife and natural beauty.
The local Aboriginal name is Mulgumpin, meaning “place of sandhills.”

The First Inhabitants - The Ngugi People

The Ngugi people lived here for over 2,000 years.
They were part of the Quandamooka people who also lived across Stradbroke Island and Moreton Bay.
The Ngugi lived mainly from the sea – fish, shellfish, dugong, turtles, and crabs.
They famously fished alongside dolphins: by tapping the water with spears, they’d call dolphins to herd fish toward them. The dolphins were rewarded with a share of the catch.

European Discovery

1770: Captain James Cook first sighted the island and named Cape Moreton and Moreton Bay (originally meant to be “Morton” after the Scottish Earl of Morton – a spelling error added the “e” that remains today).
1799: Explorer Matthew Flinders realised it was actually an island, not part of the mainland, and officially named it Moreton Island.

Early European Encounters

1823: Three convicts—Pamphlett, Finnegan, and Parsons—were blown off course in a storm and landed on Moreton Island after 21 days at sea.
The Ngugi cared for them until they recovered. These men later helped explorer John Oxley discover the Brisbane River, paving the way for the city of Brisbane.

Lighthouse and Settlements

1857: Convicts built the Cape Moreton Lighthouse, the first lighthouse in Queensland. It’s still standing and operational today.
The settlement of Bulwer began soon after, originally as a pilot station to guide ships through the treacherous South Passage between Moreton and Stradbroke Islands.
Several smaller lighthouses were later built at Cowan Cowan, North Point, Comboyuro Point, and Yellow Patch, though all except Cape Moreton have been lost to erosion.

Shipwrecks

The South Passage was dangerous – many ships ran aground or sank in storms.
The Sovereign (1847) disaster was the worst: 44 people drowned when the ship broke up in heavy seas.
Today, the Tangalooma Wrecks, deliberately sunk between 1963–1984, form a safe anchorage for boats and one of the island’s best snorkelling spots.

War & Defence

During World War I and II, Cowan Cowan and Toompani Beach were military defence bases.
The island was seen as a key position to protect Brisbane from attack.
Remains of bunkers, gun emplacements, and lookout posts can still be seen along the western beaches.

The Whaling Years

1952–1962: Tangalooma was home to Queensland’s only whaling station.
Whales were caught and processed for oil – up to 11 per day at its peak.
By the early 1960s, whale numbers collapsed and demand for whale oil dropped, so the station closed in 1962.
1963: It was turned into the Tangalooma Island Resort, which still stands today.

Modern Times

Mining exploration happened briefly in the 1950s but was stopped to protect the environment.
In 1986, Moreton Island was officially declared a National Park.
The island now attracts over 170,000 visitors each year, famous for 4WDing, sandboarding, snorkelling, and dolphin feeding.

Quick Fun Facts

Mount Tempest (285m) – the tallest coastal sand dune in the world.
Tangalooma Wrecks – 15 sunken ships forming an artificial reef.
Cape Moreton Lighthouse – Queensland’s first and oldest lighthouse (1857).
Wildlife: 180+ bird species, sea turtles, dolphins, dugongs, and migrating whales.
No paved roads – only sand tracks for 4WDs!