Moreton Island was a key centre during the early days of Brisbane's penal settlement. European
settlement began in 1848 with a pilot station at Bulwer. Following
several shipping disasters in the South Passage area, the northern
channel became the main route to Brisbane. Land sales started in
1863, and though a few cottages were built on the western side, most of
the island was left to a few fisherman and oyster farmers. Goats and
pigs were introduced in 1865 to provide food for shipwrecked sailors.
Cape
Moreton lighthouse was the first lighthouse made from local sandstone
and still operates today. By 1920, five more lighthouses were built,
though only two now operate. In 1890, a telegraph line was built down
the island to link Bulwer with Amity Point on North Stradbroke Island.
Moreton
Island was the centre for major coastal defence bases during World War
I and World War II. Remains of gun emplacements, fortifications and
controlled mine facilities protecting Brisbane from sea attacks, can
still be seen at Cowan Cowan and at Toompani Beach on the eastern side.
Between
1952 and 1962, Tangalooma operated a whaling station processing about
600 whales a year, mostly humpbacks. When the whaling station closed,
the buildings were redeveloped into what now is Tangalooma Island
Resort. From 1947 to 1992 small areas of Moreton Island were mined
but, mining operations ceased when leases were relinquished and the
lands were added to the national park.
