Desert Walking Track

Walking from Tangalooma to the Desert (Via Desert Walking Track)

Steep steps and great views. This walking track is a great way to start the day.

The Tangalooma Desert is a must-see while on Moreton Island (Mulgumpin). There are a few different ways to experience it, from quad biking to sandboarding, or getting active and enjoying the Desert Walking Track, which winds its way through the bush, opening up to the wide-open sandy plains of the desert. The walk is fairly steep and starts with 308 stairs leading up from the beach. You can walk it as an out-and-back route or follow the Tangalooma Beach Circuit on the way back down. The walk is part of Gheebulum Kunungai (Moreton Island) National Park and is maintained by the rangers. Check their website for track conditions before setting off.

How to get to the Desert Walking Track

1. Start at the end of the Tangalooma jetty, with the ocean on your right, walk down onto the sand and along the beach.

   

2. Wander along the beach, past the logs which mark the end of the resort, and keep an eye out for the campsite markers in the sand dunes. You want to take the narrow opening in the bush just after campsite WBS7 (before the coastal navigation marker up in the trees comes into view).

   

3. As you get further down the path, you will see a blue sign which says ‘Desert Walking Track 2km return’ and a set of wooden steps.

   

4. Climb the 308 steps to reach the navigation marker in the clearing in the trees.

   

5. When you reach the next trail marker, continue straight on following “The Desert 400m”.

   

6. Follow the path until you reach a short, steep sand hill. Clamber up the hill into the clearing to get to the Desert.

   

7. Take a walk around and enjoy the views of the sand and the amazing colours of the yellow against the bright blue Queensland sky. Either return the way you came, or when you reach the trail marker which says “Tangalooma via beach 1.3km”, go right to take the Tangalooma Beach Circuit back to the resort.