Cowan Cowan Walk on Moreton Island

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Posted 2021-07-04 by Cris ⇒ follow

Moreton Island is beautiful with miles and miles of beaches, sand dunes and many other natural attractions. Moreton Island is the third-largest sand island in the world and it has the most awesome and high coastal dunes. Mt Tempest is 285 m high and provides 360 degrees of breathtaking views.

There are many interesting places on the island reachable by walking. In particular, Fort Cowen Cowen is on the western side of the island. Some of the remains of the fort are sunken in the sand. The tides and sea storms move the sand under the foundation of the fort moving it from the original position. The wind moves the sand too, slowly covering the remains of the fort. Fort Cowan Cowan is an aesthetic outpost along the beach, a landmark that represents a defense line back in WWII. Step back in time when soldiers were dispatched on Moreton Island to defend Australia.

The walk starts at Tangalooma Resort. Once you disembark from the ferry, walk north along the resort and then on the beach. Most of Mulgumpin (Moreton Island) is both a national park and recreation area. Tidal wetlands and waters around the island are protected as part of Moreton Bay Marine Park.

The walk

The walk is along the beach to Cowan Cowan, starting from Tangalooma Resort. The walk is about 16 km return - allow five hours.

What to bring:

Must have water 2 litres, snacks, hiking gear, a medium hiking backpack, long trousers and shirt with long sleeves are preferable to avoid sun burning, hiking boots or beach sandals, first aid kit, insect repellent, hat, sunscreen, gloves, light raincoat if necessary. Be sun smart!

You need a certain amount of fitness to cope with the length of the walk. Consider that it is a bit harder walking on the sand.

Bring your swimmers to have a swim in the beautiful turquoise sea.

After returning from the walk, if you have booked with Tangalooma, you can have lunch in the resort. Remember to use your voucher in the restaurants available in the resort.

Beach Cafe has a large selection of family meals, including pizza, burgers, salads and light meals.

Beach BBq has chicken, steaks, Barramundi and Moreton Bay Bugs. Relax with a great meal and a delectable wine while enjoying views over the beach.

Stone Restaurant offers Japanese cuisine, including a variety of Sushi Sashimi and noodle soups in a relaxed atmosphere.

Fire offers the guests the opportunity to enjoy traditional spicy Sichuan cuisine.
TANGALOOMA RESORT TRANSFERS

Moreton Island is located 40 km offshore from Brisbane in Moreton Bay. You can travel to the island by ferry, barge or private boat.

You can reach Moreton Island by the passenger ferry services which depart from Holt Street Wharf in Pinkenba, Brisbane and arrive at the Tangalooma Jetty on Moreton Island. Travelling time is just 75 minutes each way. Total $89.00.

Includes:

Return boat cruise across Moreton Bay marine park
Island lunch voucher ($20 per adult, $15 per child)
Full use of resort facilities including swimming pools, restaurants and bar
Eco Ranger show (Pelican Feeding)
Day pass access to the resort
1 x tea, coffee, or soft drink per guest on launch transfer

Adult (15 ) 1 x $89.00 ea
Child (3-14) 1 x $49.00 ea
(www.tangalooma.com/)
There is another ferry, The Micat, that departs from 14 Howard Smith Dr, Port Of Brisbane. The Micat operates on a demand-based timetable. The price is an average of about $70.00.
( https://bookings.moretonislandadventures.com.au/ferry-booking )

A bit of history of Fort Cowan Cowan

Fort Cowan Cowan was part o a network of artillery installations designed to defend Brisbane and Moreton Bay from possible attack by the sea. Fort Cowan Cowan was completed in 1937 and contributed to the coastal defense of Queensland in WWII.

The fort's main armament consisted of two BL6 inch Mk XI naval guns. The fort included the gun emplacements, command tower, observation post, engine room, pump house, jetty, well, mess rooms, washrooms, latrines, equipment stores and water services.

Fort Cowan Cowan took over the role of an Examination Battery from Fort Lytton. On 4 June 1942, a Japanese submarine was sighted off Moreton Island. This submarine was later identified as one of the vessels involved in the midget submarines attack in Sydney Harbour on 31st May 1942.

Fort Cowan Cowan is heritage-listed and the place is important in showing the pattern of Queensland history. Fort Cowan Cowan was important being part of the defense in the Moreton Bay region during WWII. It also shows the evolution in Queensland's coastal defense, which started in the 1880s with the construction of Fort Lytton at the mouth of the Brisbane River.

Fort Cowan Cowan is rare evidence of a WWII battery complex showing how it was constructed and its role in the defense of the coast.