Get to know Moreton Island’s friendly creatures via this incredible informational attraction!
The Tangalooma Island resort is one of the top beachfront places to visit on Queensland’s famous Moreton island. The stunning island is bursting with incredible attractions, including its most popular, it’s wildlife! With beautiful scenery swarming with both marine and land animals. Tangalooma’s Marine Education and Conservation Centre provides a sustainable way to see these creatures up close and personal. Give it a burl and see these incredible animals in their natural habitats.
What You Can Do in Marine Education Centre?
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Kookaburras
Hear the famous manic laughs of the kookaburras on Moreton Island. A daily tour takes you to the feeding area of these birds and lasts a short 15 minutes. See these beautiful creatures grabbing the grub from the professional rangers as you learn all about their lives and habitat. They are the largest kingfisher bird in the entire world but surprisingly are not fish eaters. As they prefer snakes, mice, other small animals. Find out what’s so funny!
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Pelican feeding
If you haven’t had enough birds, visit the morning Pelican feeds! The Australian Pelicans renowned for their long bill along with its massive throat pouch. Feeding time is greatly entertaining as the pelicans have a special way of eating. They can collect around 13 litres of water in their bill’s pouches, used for only a short-time food collection. Once they scoop up a fish along with the water, they drain the water and jerking their heads upwards to swallow the prey. Travel to the shores of Tangalooma and see these birds fight for the fish.
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Old Whaling Station
Learn about the tragic history of this area, now known as the ‘Flensing Deck.’ In the 1950s, the station was once the largest land base whaling station in the southern hemisphere. Estimated in killing around 600 whales per year. This severely damaged the humpback whales’ populations, falling from 15,000 to less than 500. The station was closed in 1962, due to the introduction of vegetable oil, the fall in whale oil prices, as well as the decreasing amount of whale captures. The area has now drastically changed over the years, becoming one of the largest Whale watching operations in Queensland since 1987. Learn about the history of this station before hopping on board the boat to spot the splashing wild whales.
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The Echo Centre
The echo centre is the heart of the conservation centre, established in 1994. A fun, informational centre to learn all about the local marine life as well as the importance of conservation. View fascinating presentations such as the “Discover the World of Dolphins.” Educational books and dolphin gifts available at the gift shop attached.
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Dolphins
By far the most popular attraction at Tangalooma’s Marine Education and Conservation Centre, come face to face with the famous dolphins. Simply sign up for the feeding program at the echo centre and a trek to the shores of the island. The dolphins come to the shallow shores for feeding time usually just after the sunset. These friendly creatures frolic the area, swimming around your legs as you give them their dinner for the night. This operation is a sustainable program, only giving a small amount of food to these wild animals, ensuring they can hunt and live in the wild by themselves. Don’t miss this unforgettable experience as you make some unique friends at Moreton Island.
Related article: What to do at Moreton Bay?
Managing Director at Sightseeing Tours Australia
Cameron Ward turned his travel passion into a thriving Australian tourism business. Before he co-founded his own business, Sightseeing Tours Australia, he was enjoying being a Melbourne tour guide. Even now, Cameron delights in helping visitors from all around the world get the most out of their incredible Australian trip. You’ll see Cameron leading tours or writing about his favourite Australian places where he shares his local insights.