Gheebulum Kunungai (Moreton Island) National Park and Moreton Island Recreation Area Quandamooka Country Brisbane

National park management with traditional owners

Mulgumpin’s national park and recreation area is jointly managed between the island’s traditional owners and native title holders, the Quandamooka People, and the Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service. Photo credit: © Bianca Holderness

Gheebulum Kunungai – ‘lightnings’ playground’

Mulgumpin’s national park was renamed in 2021 to Gheebulum Kunungai (Moreton Island) National Park to reflect its strong cultural and historical significance. Gheebulum Kunungai means ‘lightnings’ playground’ in the language of the Quandamooka people. Photo credit: istock

Review of protected area management plan

The long-term plan for managing and conserving the natural and cultural values of Mulgumpin’s protected areas, including the national park and recreation area, is currently under review. Read more about this process and how you can keep informed. Photo credit: © Tourism and Events Queensland

Native title on Mulgumpin

Find out more information and background about native title on Mulgumpin held by the Quandamooka People, the island’s traditional owners and custodians. Photo credit: Maxime Coquard © Tourism and Events Queensland

Bookings and permits

Permits to drive or camp in Mulgumpin’s recreation area are booked and managed through Mulgumpin Camping. Photo credit: © Bianca Holderness

Frequently asked questions

    Visiting or living on Mulgumpin

    The Quandamooka People are First Nations custodians of lands and waters within parts of the Moreton Bay region. Quandamooka native title (PDF, 776.1KB) was recognised for Mulgumpin (Moreton Island) in 2019.

    The following information provides question and answers about Quandamooka native title on Mulgumpin for people who visit or live on the island.

    What is planned for the national park and recreation area following native title?

    The Queensland Government and the Quandamooka People entered into a joint management partnership to manage and protect Mulgumpin’s Gheebulum Kunungai (Moreton Island) National Park and Moreton Island Recreation Area. This protected area covers most of the island.

    The management partnership is similar to Minjerribah’s (North Stradbroke Island) Naree Budjong Djara National Park and the Minjerribah Recreation Area which are also managed by the Quandamooka People and the Queensland Government, through the Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service (QPWS).

    The long-term plan for managing and conserving the natural and cultural values of Mulgumpin’s national park and recreation area is currently under review as part of this partnership. Read more about the management plan process and how you can keep informed.

    How are joint management arrangements being progressed?

    As part of the Quandamooka People’s Moreton Island Native Title consent determination by the Federal Court of Australia, the joint management arrangements are being progressed under the terms of the Indigenous Land Use Agreement and the Indigenous Management Agreement. These agreements are between the State of Queensland and the Quandamooka People represented by the Quandamooka Yoolooburrabee Aboriginal Corporation (QYAC). As these agreements are confidential legal documents between the two parties they cannot be made publicly available.

    Will I still be able to beach drive and camp on the island?

    Yes. Beach driving and camping in the recreation area will continue.

    You will still need to display a permit on your windscreen before driving in the recreation area. For camping, the tag is displayed with your booking number at your camp site. Camping and vehicle access permits for the Moreton Island Recreation Area are booked and managed through Mulgumpin Camping which is owned and operated by the QYAC. The Queensland National Parks Booking Service does not manage permit bookings for the Moreton Island Recreation Area.

    Are fees increasing for camping and four-wheel driving?

    The existing fees are not impacted by native title or the joint management process.

    What are fees used for?

    Camping and vehicle access permit fees in Queensland’s recreation areas help support the ongoing management of the recreation area which includes maintaining and improving the camping areas, vehicle and walking tracks, toilets, signs and more.

    I am a resident—will I still receive an exemption for vehicle access permit?

    If you already qualify for an exemption, such as if you’re a resident and need a permit to access your property, exemptions are available.

    Will there still be rangers on the island?

    Yes. The QPWS and QYAC jointly manage the national park and recreation area. Quandamooka rangers and QPWS rangers manage planning and operations on the island, from fire and pest management through to visitor facilities and experiences.

    Who does compliance within the park and recreation area?

    Rangers employed by either the QPWS or QYAC undertake compliance as part of joint management arrangements.

    Will the name of the national park and recreation area change?

    Yes. Like on Minjerribah, the Quandamooka People intend to use traditional language in the island’s protected area. Mulgumpin’s national park was renamed to Gheebulum Kunungai (Moreton Island) National Park in 2021, and further language changes may follow, such as on signage.

    What will happen to tour operators operating on the protected areas?

    Tourism provides many benefits to the island’s economy and will continue to be an important industry on Mulgumpin. Current and future tourism businesses operating on the island’s protected areas will continue to require an appropriate permit from the Queensland Government.

    Will there be any significant change to the current experience that the island offers?

    Mulgumpin will continue to offer a national park sand island experience on south east Queensland’s doorstep while also enabling the Quandamooka People to be directly involved in the island’s management, and to showcase the island’s natural and cultural values by delivering cultural eco-tourism opportunities and experiences, from a traditional owner perspective.

    I lease or own a residential/commercial property—how will I be affected?

    Native title does not impact private freehold or many types of leasehold land; private landholders’ property will not be affected.

    Will beach access be affected?

    Beach access is not affected by the Quandamooka native title claim.

    Can I still access my favourite places across the island?

    Camping and four-wheel drive tracks will remain open and accessible. Camping and vehicle access permits will continue to be readily available. There are areas on Mulgumpin that are sacred to the Quandamooka People that hold high cultural significance and sensitivity. Any potential changes to an area’s access will be considered within this context and would be subject to joint management considerations and legislative processes.

    Can I still visit Tangalooma?

    The resort operations are not affected by native title determination. For more information about the Resort’s bookings or holidays, contact Tangalooma Island Resort.

    More information

    To keep informed of updates about the national park and recreation area:

    To book a camping or vehicle access permit:

    General questions

    Where are the toilets?

    • Toilets are located in all developed campgrounds. Additional toilets are located at Cape Moreton and near the barge landing area at Bulwer.

    Does the national park have hot showers?

    • No

    Does the national park have powered sites?

    • No

    Does the national park provide rubbish bins?

    • Yes, bins are provided at The Wrecks and Comboyuro Point campgrounds.

    Can I use a 2WD (conventional vehicle) around the national park?

    • No. All roads on the island are sand including the townships. Inland tracks can be very soft. All-wheel drives, 4WD vehicles with low ground clearance and heavy 4WD vehicles (especially those towing trailers) and campervans can become bogged in places. Only vehicles suitable for soft sand driving are recommended.

    Can I use a trail bike around the national park?

    • No. Only island landholders and residents are permitted to use trail bikes on the island. Conditions apply.

    Are there ranger-guided activities?

    • No

    Can I have a campfire on Mulgumpin (Moreton Island)?

    • Yes, fires are permitted in pre-existing fireplaces or fire pits at designated camp sites marked with a totem in the Comboyuro Point, Ben-Ewa and Blue Lagoon campgrounds and also at the five camping zones (PDF, 160.2KB) . Fire is prohibited in all other areas in Gheebulum Kunungai (Moreton Island) National Park and Recreation Area, including The Wrecks and North Point campgrounds and on all beaches. Always check if local fire bans are in place before lighting a fire.