For many, an island getaway conjures images of beachfront dining, seafood plucked fresh from the ocean and cocktails at sunset. Fortunately, Moreton Island/Mulgumpin offers all the hallmarks of a tropical island holiday – and then some – without having to travel far from Brisbane. We've rounded up the best places to eat and drink on the island and we'll cheers to that!
Whether you’re planning to book a stay at a holiday house and self-cater, camp or glamp on the Island, or soak up the resort lifestyle at Tangalooma Island Resort, there’s a selection of cafes, bars and eateries to keep you thoroughly satisfied..
Part of the ever-popular Tangalooma Island Resort precinct, the Beach Café is a go-to for bistro-style, café favourite meals with a view of the – you guessed it – pristine beach beyond. At Beach Café, resort guests can tuck into pizzas, pastas, fresh seafoods, burgers, fish tacos and salads.
Also accessible to Tangalooma guests is the Fire & Stone dining hub where diners can enjoy Sichuan Chinese cuisine a la carte. Open for lunch and dinner, Fire & Stone also offers seafood and vegetarian options. For pre-dinner sunset cocktails, or post-dinner wines, the resort’s sleek B&B’s Bar is where you’ll find drinks poured with a memorable view.
Or take in the picture-perfect island views and experience the sun setting across Moreton Bay from new heights at the Beach Deck (upstairs at The Wheelhouse). Sip on a delicious evening cocktail or two, or icy cold brew, served marvelling at the stunning beach beyond.
Perched on Kooringal’s Esplanade, The Gutter Bar is a lively setting and long-standing island favourite that’s so much more than its name might give away. Accessible by 4WD’s island hoppers can enjoy hearty burgers, locally farmed Moreton Bay Rock Oysters, seafood platters, fish and chips and refreshing drinks by the sea. The bar is also home to a general store, where you can pick up convenience-store essentials, ice for campers, and more. The laidback venue’s also been known to host events and weddings on site.
For relaxed breakfasts to kick-start your day on the island, or leisurely lunches accompanied by island breezes, Castaways Café and Store is a must-visit on Moreton Island/Mulgumpin. For your first meal of the day, select from the classics: think pancakes, eggs benny, breakfast burgers and avocado on toast. And, for lunch, choose between a fisherman’s feast, calamari, fish and chips and a schnitzel, or try one of its famed burgers – including the ‘Blue Lagoon Burger’ that’s become the stuff of legend. Piled high, the burger features panko-crumbed calamari, crunchy slaw, smashed avocado and house-made tartare. Castaways is also home to glamping tents and offers pick-ups for those travelling without 4WDs.
Eager to feast on island-fresh seafood and sip cocktails by the beach at sunset? Start planning your Moreton Island/Mulgumpin adventure today.